Cubs Tie Franchise Record in Win over the Aces
May 14, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Reno, NV - The Iowa Cubs (14-21) matched a franchise record with five double plays and used a six-run sixth inning to beat the Reno Aces (13-26) 6-4 at Aces Ballpark tonight. Shortstop Donnie Murphy had a hand in three of the double plays and belted a three-run homer to lead the Cubs. The Cubs lead this series 2-1 and are 3-4 on this road trip with one game left to play.
The Aces appeared in control of the game early on. Starter Zeke Spruill limited the Cubs to just three hits and no runs through the first five innings. Murphy had a double in the second inning and Darnell McDonald and J.C. Boscan added infield hits. On offense, the Aces got to Cubs' starter Nick Struck for three runs in the third. Chis Owings reached on a bunt single and Kila Ka'aihue and Matt Davidson followed with back-to-back RBI doubles. With two outs, Davidson scored on a single by Juan Rivera to complete the inning.
Spruill (1-1) faltered in the sixth and the Cubs took advantage. Logan Watkins led off with a single and Spruill walked Brett Jackson and Dave Sappelt to load the bases. Josh Vitters dropped a soft line drive into left to drive in one run and Brad Nelson followed with a ground ball single to right that drove in two to tie the game. Murphy got down in the count at 0-2 and fouled off two pitches before launching his first homer in a Cubs' uniform to deep left. That knocked Spruill out of the game. Four Aces relievers combined to hold the Cubs hitless the rest of the game.
Struck (1-3) allowed a solo home run to Tayor Harbin in the bottom of the sixth that got the Aces back to within two and Ed Easley followed with an infield hit. The Aces sent up former Cub Brad Snyder as a pinch-hitter representing the potential tying run, but Struck got him to hit a ground ball to Murphy that turned into a 6-3 double play for the Cubs' third twin killing of the night.
Esmailin Caridad followed Struck with two scoreless innings and was on the mound for the final two double plays. Former Cub Tony Campana led off the seventh with a single, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout. After a walk to Ka'aihue, Matt Davidson hit a popup in foul territory near the Cubs' dugout on the first base side. Brent Lillibridge, in on defense for Nelson at first base after a double switch, caught the pop-up and threw to second baseman Watkins, sneaking in at first base to catch Ka'aihue off the bag. Watkins started to chase Ka'aihue, but then turned his attention to Campana coming down the line from third. Watkins threw to Caridad at home plate, who chased Campana back to third before throwing to Vitters. Vitters relayed the ball back to Boscan, the catcher, who applied the tag on Campana to complete a rare 3-4-1-5-2 double play following a foulout.
The fifth double play was more routine in the eighth. Alfredo Marte was hit by a pitch to start the inning. After a lineout, Harbin hit a sinking line drive to third base. Vitters made a clean short-hop pickup and started a 5-4-3 around the horn double play to end the inning. This was the sixth time in franchise history that the Cubs have turned five double plays in a game. The last time was July 20, 2004 at Nashville.
The Cubs didn't have a chance to set a new record in the ninth as Zach Putnam came in and set the Aces down in order to earn his second save of the season. Putnam has allowed just one run in 13 innings over his last 11 appearances and has gone six straight games without allowing a run.
The Cubs and Aces wrap up this series with a day game tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. Central time. RH Barret Loux (2-1, 6.41) will start for the Cubs against RH Chase Anderson (2-4, 6.28) for the Aces. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed at iowacubs.com with the pre-game show starting at 1:15.
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