Cubs Blast Zephyrs to Win Series
Published on July 24, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Des Moines, IA - 10 different Iowa Cubs (57-48) recorded a hit, and they scored double digit runs for the second consecutive game in cruising to an 11-2 win over the New Orleans Zephyrs (53-51) on Thursday night at Principal Park. The Cubs lead the season series 7-4 after taking three of the four games in this set.
The Zephyrs jumped out the early lead off Cubs LH Eric Jokisch as Rob Brantly had a run-scoring single in the second inning. The Cubs would answer right back and tie the game in the bottom half of the inning as Chris Valaika drove a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Kris Bryant.
Iowa would take its first lead of the game by scoring four runs in the fourth inning. Bryant got the rally started with a one-out single, the Cubs first of the game. Jorge Soler, the Cubs' fifth-best prospect according to Baseball America, smoked a single up for his first triple-A hit. Valaika drew a walk, and Mike Olt would clear the bags with a double into the left-center field gap. Rafael Lopez singled him in to finish the scoring in the frame and give the Cubs a 5-1 lead.
Javy Baez would provide the Cubs with some insurance. In the fifth inning, he crushed his team-high 17th home run over the Cub Club in left field, and an inning later, he ripped a two-run single to left field with the bases loaded to give the Cubs an 8-2 advantage. Baez has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games, batting .315 (23-for-73) with seven doubles, six home runs, and 19 RBI in that stretch.
The Cubs got their final three runs in the seventh inning. Lopez drove in his second run of the night on a ground out to second base, and Josh Vitters followed by blasting the Cubs third pinch-hit home run of year to score Olt. Vitters' homer was his eight of the year, but just his second since May 7.
Baez and Olt paced the 11-run, 12-hit attack as each recorded two hits and three RBI. Soler finished his triple-A debut with a hit, two walks, and a run scored in five plate appearances. The Cubs scored double digit runs for the eighth game this year, but this was just the first time they have done it in back-to-back contests.
Jokisch worked in and out of trouble all night to pick up his first win since June 1 and his sixth of the season. He labored through 5.1 innings, throwing 100 pitches, including 31 in a scoreless fifth inning. The southpaw was charged with two earned runs on a season-high 10 hits. Jokisch, who came into the day leading the PCL in innings pitched, failed to go six innings for just the fifth time in 20 starts.
RHs Armando Rivero, Arodys Vizcaino, and Marcus Hatley were not charged with a run over the final 3.2 innings. Rivero struck out three in a scoreless 1.2 innings and hasn't surrendered any runs over his last 9.1 innings, covering six appearances. Vizcaino gave up three hits over 1.2 innings and was lifted with one out to go as he had already thrown 33 pitches. Hatley got that final out to preserve the victory.
The Zephyrs had 14 hits -- all singles -- to out-hit the Cubs, but they went just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 14 men on base.
The Cubs continue their nine-game home stand by hosting the Memphis Redbirds for five games in three days starting Friday night at 7:05. LHs Chris Rusin (7-10, 3.79) and John Gast (2-2, 5.59) take the mound for game one. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed live at iowacubs.com with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45 p.m. The Cubs and Redbirds finish off their series by playing back-to-back double-headers on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 24, 2014
- Cubs Blast Zephyrs to Win Series - Iowa Cubs
- Z's Drop Three of Four in Iowa - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Clutch Hit Gives Aces Series Split - Reno Aces
- Sounds Double up Sky, 4-2, in Front of Packed House - Nashville Sounds
- Late Homer Sinks RedHawks - Oklahoma City Comets
- Redbirds Fall in Extras in Homestand Finale, 3-2 - Memphis Redbirds
- Pena, Germano Lift E-Train over RedHawks - Round Rock Express
- Storm Chasers Steal Away with a Win in Extras - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Chihuahuas to Celebrate Latino Heritage - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Fresno Suffers Their 10th Loss After Leading In The Month Of July - Fresno Grizzlies
- Military Members to be Honored at the August 12th Fresno Grizzlies Game - Fresno Grizzlies
- Pederson's Eighth Inning Grand Slam Lifts Isotopes Over Grizzlies 8-7 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Nate Adcock Gets Big League Promotion - Round Rock Express
- Longest Homestand in Zephyrs History Opens Friday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- RedHawks Game Notes: July 24, 2014 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Storm Chasers Playoff Push Promotions Set - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Omaha Storm Chasers July 24th Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Olt, Soler Join Iowa Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks, OG&E Present "Save at Home" Program - Oklahoma City Comets
- LHP Paco Rodriguez Rejoins Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Grube Deals as Bees Defeat Aces - Salt Lake Bees
- Rainiers Drop Las Vegas, 6-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Nashville Comes Back to Defeat Sky Sox, 5-2 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Fresno Can't Hold Five-Run Lead In Loss To Albuquerque - Fresno Grizzlies
- 51s Host Salt Lake & El Paso - Las Vegas Aviators
- Isotopes Tame Grizzlies in 8-7 Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Chihuahuas Sticks Hot in 16-7 Drubbing of Sacramento - El Paso Chihuahuas
- River Cats Bested by Chihiahuas, 16-7 - Sacramento River Cats
- Petit, Duffy Drive RedHawks to 12-8 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Redbirds Rally to Down Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks Take Down Express 12-8 - Round Rock Express
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
