PCL1 Iowa Cubs

Cubs Rally Past Express, 6-4

Published on May 28, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release


Round Rock, TX - The Iowa Cubs (22-27) scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Round Rock Express (29-20) 6-4 at Dell Diamond tonight. Tyler Colvin's two-out single brought in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning and John Gaub completed a perfect night for the Cubs' bullpen in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win. With the win, the Cubs even the series 1-1 and the season series 5-5.

The Cubs got on the board first on a two-run single by Jonathan Mota in the second inning. Those were the only runs allowed by Express starter Derek Hankins. Hankins allowed eight hits and struck out six over seven innings of work.

Cubs' starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx retired the first 12 batters he faced to begin the game and 15 of the first 16. The Express broke through against him in the bottom of the sixth. Joey Butler led off the inning with a home run. After a flyout, Esteban German walked, stole second, and went to third on a base hit by Omar Quintinilla. Chris Davis followed with a three-run homer to put the Express ahead 4-2. Bibens-Dirkx retired the next two batters to finish the inning.

The Express brought in Mark Hamburger to pitch in the eighth inning and Bobby Scales greeted him with a solo homer to pull the Cubs to within one at 4-3. Scales has homered in each game in this series. Hamburger finished the eighth and came back out for the top of the ninth.

Ty Wright singled to lead off the ninth inning. Fernando Perez came in to pinch-run for Wright and went to third on a base hit by Scott Moore. Mota followed with a ground ball to shortstop. Moore was forced at second, but Mota reached on a fielder's choice as Perez scored to tie the game. With Mota at first and one out, the Express brought in lefty Zach Phillips to face Matt Camp. Camp grounded out to first base, but advanced Mota to second. After an intentional walk to Scales, Colvin singled to left field. The base hit drove in Mota with the go-ahead run, and when Matt Kata's throw got away, Scales came in to score as well.

Gaub (2-1), who had worked a perfect eighth inning, came back out for the ninth and set the Express down in order to earn the win. Hamburger (0-2) was charged with a blown save and the loss.

Blake Parker pitched a perfect seventh inning as the three Cubs' pitchers combined to retire the final 14 batters of the game following the Davis home run. WIth three perfect innings from the bullpen tonight, Cubs' relievers have now allowed just three runs in 21.1 innings over the last six games.

The Cubs and Express continue this series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 Central time. RH Alberto Cabrera will start and make his Triple-A debut for the Cubs. RH Brett Tomko (0-2, 6.35) will start for the Express. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the Safeco On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 12:45.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 28, 2011


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