I-Cubs Comeback Effort Falls Short
May 7, 2021 - International League (IL) - Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES - Despite a quality start from Cory Abbott in his Triple-A debut, the I-Cubs fell to the Indianapolis Indians 5-4 Thursday night.
The Indians got off to an early lead in the first, taking advantage of a one-out triple from Cole Tucker. Chris Sharpe added two more in the second with his first home run of the season, putting Indianapolis up 3-0.
The I-Cubs capitalized on Indians starter Cody Ponce's control issues in their own half of the second, taking two walks ahead of Andrew Romine, who singled and picked up his first RBI of 2021. Indianapolis tacked on an unearned run in the third, however, making it a 4-1 ballgame.
P.J. Higgins added another run for Iowa in the bottom of the inning, doubling to drive in Abiatal Avelino, who reached on a single to lead off the inning. Higgins continued his success in the fifth, when he hit a solo shot over the left field fence to bring the I-Cubs within one.
The Indians struck again in the seventh, with a pinch-hit home run from Troy Stokes Jr. off of reliever Robert Stock . The I-Cubs made a late-game comeback attempt, scoring one in the ninth on a walk and a single, but they couldn't complete the job, and the Indians took a 2-1 lead in the season-opening series.
POSTGAME NOTES:
Cory Abbott settled in after a shaky start, sending down 10 of the last 11 batters he faced and striking out eight in six innings of work.
Matt Burch made his professional debut when he entered as a defensive substitution in the eighth. He grounded out in the ninth, advancing Sergio Alcántara , who would go on to score.
Dakota Mekkes retired all four batters he faced, spinning 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball and striking out two batters.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from May 7, 2021
- Hens Swept in Doubleheader as Offense Falls Short - Toledo Mud Hens
- Sounds Sweep Doubleheader in Toledo - Nashville Sounds
- Bulls Bat Their Way Past the 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Bisons Fall for the First in 2021 in 4-2 Defeat - Buffalo Bisons
- Griffin Jax Dazzles, But Saints Come up Short, 4-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Lowe, Padlo Blast Bulls Past Redbirds 13-5 - Durham Bulls
- Knights Fall to Stripers 19-1 on Friday - Charlotte Knights
- Jacksonville Drops First Game of Season Despite Sánchez Homer - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Red Wings Snag First Win in 615 Days - Rochester Red Wings
- IronPigs drop their first game of the season - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- WooSox Grab First Win, 4-2 against the Bisons - Worcester Red Sox
- Cervenka Homers, But Mets Lose to RailRiders, 7-3, in Rain-Shortened Friday Night Matchup - Syracuse Mets
- Early Finish No Problem for RailRiders - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- May 7 Game Notes: Iowa vs. Indianapolis - Iowa Cubs
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (2-1) at Iowa Cubs (1-2) - Indianapolis Indians
- Memphis Redbirds Updated Roster & Game Notes: May 7, 2021 - Memphis Redbirds
- Saints to "Ramp up Responsibly" as Outdoor Capacity Restrictions Are Lifted - St. Paul Saints
- Nashville Sounds and Centerplate Unveil New Menu Items at First Horizon Park - Nashville Sounds
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - May 7, 2021 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- RailRiders Returning to Full Capacity at PNC Field Next Month - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Nashville Sounds Announce Tickets Are on Sale Now for All 2021 Home Games - Nashville Sounds
- Chasers Rally for Walk-Off Win in Extra Innings - Omaha Storm Chasers
- I-Cubs Comeback Effort Falls Short - Iowa Cubs
- Long Balls Lift Indians out of Cubs Reach - Indianapolis Indians
- Magnificent: Manoah Fans 12 to Win Bisons Debut - Buffalo Bisons
- Maxwell Shines as Mets Fall to RailRiders, 17-11 - Syracuse Mets
- Dobnak Strong in First Start, Saints Fall in 11, 4-3 - St. Paul Saints
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.