Cubs Can't Close out Jokisch's Gem
Published on July 5, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Oklahoma City, OK - LH Eric Jokisch allowed two hits and faced the minimum over seven shutout innings, but the Oklahoma City RedHawks (46-43) rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat the Iowa Cubs (47-40) 4-3 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Friday night. The Cubs have lost two straight games when leading after seven innings after starting the season 36-0 in games when leading after the seventh.
Jokisch allowed a leadoff single to Robbie Grossman in the bottom of the first inning, but Grossman was caught stealing as Marc Krauss struck out to end the inning. Following the Grossman single, Jokisch retired 14 in a row before a single by Carlos Perez leading off the bottom of the sixth. Perez was erased when Ronny Torreyes grounded into an inning-ending double play. Jokisch finished with seven strikeouts while posting his 10th quality start of the season.
The Cubs struck early against RedHawks' starter Asher Wojciechowski when Javy Baez launched a solo homer in the top of the first. The blast sailed over the back wall of the stadium and went off the parking garage of the hotel next to the ballpark for Baez' 12th home run of the season. The Cubs added another run in the second on an RBI single by Rafael Lopez. In the top of the fourth, Kris Bryant smacked a Wojciechowski pitch into the Cubs' bullpen in right-center field for his seventh homer with the Cubs and his 29th overall this year.
Arodys Vizcaino followed Jokisch to the mound for the bottom of the eighth and allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases before giving way to Marcus Hatley. Hatley caught Perez looking at strike three for the first out, but Joe Sclafani reached on an infield single to drive in the RedHawks' first run. Torreyes followed with a ground ball to second base that looked like a potential inning-ending double play ball, but the ball jumped up and went off the chest of Logan Watkins. Watkins recovered to get a force out at second, but Torreyes reached to extend the inning and a run scored to pull the RedHawks to within a run at 3-2. Hatley fell behind Grossman, so the Cubs intentionally walked him to reload the bases. Jonathan Villar followed with a sharp base hit into left field that drove in the final two runs of the RedHawks' rally.
In the top of the ninth, Bryant singled with one out to put the potential tying run on base against Jason Stoffel, but with two outs, left-hander Kevin Chapman came in and got Watkins to ground out to end the game. Stoffel (2-2) struck out four in 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win and Chapman earned his third save. Hatley (2-2) was charged with a blown save and the loss.
The Cubs and RedHawks continue this series on Saturday night at 7:05 PM. RH Carlos Pimentel (1-4, 4.79) will start for the Cubs against RH Paul Clemens (3-0, 1.38) for the RedHawks. 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 5, 2014
- Omaha Squanders Late Scoring Chances in 5-2 Loss - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks win over Iowa - Oklahoma City Comets
- Salt Lake wins over Chihuahuas - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Express Edges Nashville 4-3 To Level Series - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Fall to Express, 4-3 - Nashville Sounds
- Redbirds Score Early to Win Third Straight - Memphis Redbirds
- Zephyrs Fall to Memphis 6-3 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Chicago Cubs Recall Chris Rusin - Iowa Cubs
- Isotopes Throttle 51s 11-3 in Game One of Doubleheader - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks Game Notes: July 5, 2014 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Bees Raise Money for Honor Flight - Salt Lake Bees
- RHP Steve Smith Rejoins Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Edwin Escobar Roughed Up In Loss To Tacoma - Fresno Grizzlies
- Cats Cut Aces, Win 6-4 on July 4 - Sacramento River Cats
- Omaha Falls 6-1 in Front of Sellout Crowd - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Cubs Can't Close out Jokisch's Gem - Iowa Cubs
- El Paso Prevails over Bees on Independence Day - Salt Lake Bees
- Sounds Derail Express, 4-0 - Nashville Sounds
- River Cats Spoil Fourth Festivities in Reno - Reno Aces
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.
