I-Cubs Eliminated from Playoff Race
Published on August 31, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Nashville, TN - The Nashville Sounds (55-86) scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally past the Iowa Cubs (65-76) for a 3-2 win at Greer Stadium tonight. The Sounds snapped the Cubs' four-game winning streak and beat the Cubs for the fourth straight time in Nashville this season. The Memphis Redbirds won tonight, officially eliminating the Cubs from playoff contention. The Cubs are three games behind the Redbirds with three games to play and Memphis holds the head-to-head tie-breakers against the Cubs and the three-way tie-breaker with Iowa and Omaha.
The Cubs built an early lead against Sounds' starter Johnny Hellweg, who was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year earlier this week. With one out in the top of the third inning, Julio Borbon hit a bouncing ball into shallow right field and hustled the hit into a double. After a groundout, Brad Nelson drove in Borbon with a single to center for his 70th RBI of the season.
Cubs' starter Brooks Raley was sharp, retiring 13 of the first 14 batters he faced to start the game. With one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Josh Prince drew his second walk of the game and stole second. With two outs, Blake Davis blooped a base hit to shallow right, driving in Prince. Raley struck out Hellweg to end the inning and his outing.
The Cubs regained the lead in the top of the sixth when Nelson led off with a home run to left field off Hellweg. It was Nelson's team-leading 20th home run of the year and gave him his his fourth career 20-home run season.
Marcus Hatley took over for Raley in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Eugenio Velez reached on an infield hit, extending his hitting streak to 19 games. Velez has reached base safely in 33 consecutive games, giving him the longest such streak in the league this year. Robinzon Diaz followed with an RBI triple to left-center that tied the game and scored on a base hit by Sean Halton that gave the Sounds a 3-2 lead. Hatley (2-2) struck out Hunter Morris to end the inning, but was charged with a blown save and the loss. Chang-Yong Lim and Zach Rosscup each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game for the Cubs.
Hellweg (12-5) gave way to his bullpen in the seventh. Jesus Sanchez allowed one hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings. Dustin Molleken finished off the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.
The Cubs and Sounds continue this series tomorrow night at 6:35 at Greer Stadium. RH Yoanner Negrin (4-6, 4.06) will start for the Cubs against RH Jimmy Nelson (4-6, 3.94) for the Sounds. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940, and streamed live at iowacubs.com, with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:10.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 31, 2013
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- Sounds Treat South Nashville to 7-2 Win - Nashville Sounds
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- Zephyrs Rally in Eighth to Beat Isotopes, 3-1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- RedHawks Game Notes: August 31, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Withrow Rejoins Isotopes; Castro to Disabled List - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Brown's 2 RBIs Secure Comeback Win - Fresno Grizzlies
- 6-4 Win Keeps Pace in the Division Race - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Rainiers Rough Up Sacramento, 7-1 - Tacoma Rainiers
- River Cats Fall 7-1 in Tacoma - Sacramento River Cats
- Tucson beats Las Vegas - Tucson Padres
- I-Cubs Eliminated from Playoff Race - Iowa Cubs
- Aces Win Series Opener, 5-4 - Reno Aces
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