Cubs Hang On to Top Express, 5-4
Published on June 14, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
In the opening game of a 13-game, 12-day homestand at Principal Park, the Iowa Cubs survived a late rally and defeated the Round Rock Express 5-4. Sam Fuld broke out of his slump by filling up the stat sheet. Fuld went 3-for-3 with a triple, two singles, an RBI, two runs scored, two walks, and a stolen base. The game was played in front of a crowd of 5,578 fans that were entertained by the Famous San Diego Chicken throughout the game.
The Cubs got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Fuld singled to lead off the inning. He advanced to second on a one-out walk to Brad Snyder, and to third on a Micah Hoffpauir ground out. Fuld eventually scored on a wild pitch by Express starter, Shane Loux, giving the Cubs the early advantage, 1-0.
The Cubs played add-on in their half of the third inning. Fuld set the table again, this time with a lead-off triple. Darwin Barney doubled in Fuld, and two batters later, Hoffpauir hit a triple of his own, making it a 3-0 game. Two batters later, Bryan LaHair belted a two-out single, scoring Hoffpauir, and extending the lead to 4-0. Also during the inning, Cubs' hitting coach Von Joshua was ejected by home plate umpire Jason Arends for arguing whether Loux had made an illegal pick-off throw to first base.
Cubs' starter,Thomas Diamond, coasted through the first four innings of the game, surrendering only two hits and one walk. He ran into trouble in the top of the fifth by walking the pitcher, Loux on four straight pitches. Brian Bogusevic followed Loux with a single, putting runners on first and second with one out. Oswaldo Navarro followed Bogusevic with a two-run double through the hole at shortstop, making it a 4-2 game in favor of the Cubs. Diamond was then able to bear down to limit the damage by getting the next two Express hitters out.
The Cubs were able to get another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Welington Castillo led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Castillo advanced to third on a ground out, and eventually scored on a Sam Fuld single, increasing the Cubs' lead to 5-2.
Cubs' relief pitchers Justin Berg and James Russell held the Express scoreless over the next three frames. It was Russell's first appearance for Iowa after being optioned from the Chicago Cubs.
The Express threatened in the top of the ninth inning. Cubs closer Brian Schlitter gave up three straight hits, followed by a sacrifice fly to begin the inning, and the Express pulled within one run with only one out. Schlitter then walked the next batter, but was able to get the next two on a pop out and a force out, respectively. Despite the rocky ninth, Schlitter earned his ninth save of the season.
Diamond (5-2, 2.34) picked up the win for the Cubs. In five innings of work, Diamond gave up four hits, two runs, two walks, while striking out three. The three strikeouts increased his total on the season to 68, giving him the most in the Pacific Coast League.
Loux (2-2, 6.75) was hit with the loss for the Express. Loux tossed five innings, surrendering seven hits, four runs, two walks and tallied four strikeouts.
The Cubs and Express will lock up in a double-header of two seven inning games tomorrow at Principal Park beginning at 5:00 p.m. One of the games is a make-up of a game between the Cubs and Express that was rained out on April 24, and again rained out on April 26. The Cubs will send RH Casey Coleman (5-5, 4.29) to the mound for game one and he will be opposed by RH Josh Banks (7-4, 3.00) for the Express. Game two will began after the conclusion of game one, and starting pitchers are to be announced.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 14, 2010
- Halman's Two Homers Down Sox, Lose 11-6 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Bowker Blast Leads Grizzlies over Beavers, 6-3 - Portland Beavers
- River Cats Hold On for 5-3 Win over Aces - Reno Aces
- Express Fall Short in Ninth, Lose 5-4 to I-Cubs - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Drop Homestand Opener to Redbirds, 7-5 - Nashville Sounds
- Cubs Hang On to Top Express, 5-4 - Iowa Cubs
- Baxter's Cycle, Kirkman's Gem Earn Pair PCL Awards - PCL1
- Beavers' Mike Baxter Named Player Of The Week - Portland Beavers
- RedHawks Postponed - Oklahoma City Comets
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.
