Express Powers Through Cubs
Published on June 23, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Cubs were unable to halt Brad Nelson and the Express, falling 4-2 in front of a season-high 11,769 fans at Principal Park tonight.
The Cubs were first to reach the board. Center fielder Brett Jackson belted his 10th homer of the year, and 50th in his career, into the right field bleachers to leadoff the Cubs half of the first inning. Jackson set the Iowa franchise record with six leadoff homers last season.
Round Rock fired back with a three-run fourth inning. Luis Hernandez led off the fourth with a line drive single to left. He would come around to score on Nelson's two-run homer that nearly cleared the skyboxes in left. Michael Bianucci knocked an RBI-single that scored Joey Butler who singled and advanced to third on a double by Matt Kata. Iowa starter Chris Volstad worked his way out of the jam by getting Guilder Rodriguez to ground into an inning-ending double play to strand Kata on third.
The Cubs threatened in the fifth when Juan Apodaca led off with an infield-single and advanced to third on a double by Matt Tolbert. Alfredo Amezaga drove in Apodaca and advanced Tolbert to third on a sacrifice fly to right for out number two. Anthony Rizzo then grounded out to first baseman Bianucci to end the inning.
The Express tacked on another run in the sixth. Ryan Spilborghs scored on a throwing error by Blake DeWitt, his second of the game, which allowed Joey Butler to reach first.
Volstad (2-2) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, walked two and struck out four in six innings of work for Iowa. The 6-foot-8 righty delivered his fourth quality start as an I-Cub, despite getting the loss.
Zack Jackson (3-8) surrendered both Cub runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out five in 7.1 innings while getting the win for Round Rock.
Two Cubs extended their hit streaks to six games in tonight's contest. Left fielder Ty Wright went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and designated hitter Josh Vitters was 1-for-4 with a bloop single just shy of Bianucci's glove into right field in the eighth.
The two teams will play game two of the four-game set tomorrow at Principal Park starting at 1:05 p.m. Harry Canary and the ZOOperstars will be performing at the game and all the action can be heard on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show beginning at 12:35 p.m.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 23, 2012
- Blum's Slam Pushes Aces to 12-4 Win - Reno Aces
- Round Rock Express Nip Iowa 4-2 - Round Rock Express
- Sox Rough up Rainiers' Top Prospect in 8-4 Win - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- RedHawks Return Home With 4-3 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rainiers Clipped By Colorado Springs, 8-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Express Powers Through Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Storm Chasers dip to 17-19 away from home - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Dominguez Homer Rallies Zephyrs Past Redbirds - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Brad Mills Returns from Disabled List - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs) - Round Rock Express
- Rainiers Top Reno, 6-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- River Cats Sweep Grizzlies with 2-1 Walk-Off Win - Sacramento River Cats
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