IL Iowa Cubs

I-Cubs Sweep Twin Bill

Published on April 20, 2023 under International League (IL)
Iowa Cubs News Release


BUFFALO, NY - The Iowa Cubs (11-4) swept the doubleheader against the Buffalo Bisons (6-11) by scores of 10-2 and 3-2, Thursday night from Sahlen Field.

In the first game of the doubleheader, it was a dominant performance from the I-Cubs, scoring 10 runs on 13 hits and holding Buffalo in check to just two runs on two hits. Iowa got on the board quickly with a run in the top of the first as Miles Mastrobuoni, Nelson Velázquez, and Mike Tauchman each knocked two-out singles with Tauchman's hit driving in Mastrobuoni.

In the third, the Cubs added to their lead by plating three runs. Christopher Morel led off the frame and took the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for a solo home run. Following a pair of walks, Darius Hill sent a ball back up the middle for a two-run single to make it a 4-0 ballgame.

The I-Cubs continued to see the ball well at the plate in the fourth with Matt Mervis hitting a two-run homer, his fourth of the season. An inning later, Tauchman followed in Mervis' footsteps by hitting a two-run home run of his own and Sergio Alcántara continued his hot start to the season with a two-run double to make the score 10-0.

Roenis Elías produced a quality outing on the mound for Iowa as he had a no-hit bid going into the seventh inning. The no-hitter was broken up with one out in the seventh as former I-Cub Wynton Bernard doubled to left field. Elías was pulled from the game after that and finished with a stat line of 6.1 innings pitched, one hit allowed, two earned runs, two walks allowed, two strikeouts, and the win.

The Cubs got out to another early lead in game two with David Bote hitting a two-run double to score Morel and Mervis in the top of the first. In the following inning, Brennen Davis scored Iowa's third and final run of the game after Mastrobuoni drew a bases loaded walk.

On the bump for game two for Iowa was Riley Thompson, who had a career night. The 26-year-old righty tossed five scoreless and hitless innings while punching out nine Buffalo batters.

With a 3-0 lead going into the seventh, the I-Cubs also had their second bid at a no-hitter going on the day. However, that chance was ruined as Otto Lopez poked a pinch-hit single through the left side. Buffalo eventually scored two runs off a costly fielding error from Velázquez and an RBI groundout to make it a one-run ballgame, but the I-Cubs were able to hold on for the win with Cam Sanders getting out of a bases loaded jam.

POSTGAME NOTES:

Riley Thompson set a new career-high with his nine strikeouts and earned his first-career Triple-A victory.

Cam Sanders picked up his first save on the season after tossing 0.2 innings and working around two walks allowed.

Christopher Morel hit his fifth home run of the season in game one of the doubleheader. Morel leads the I-Cubs in home runs and has hit four home runs over his last five games.

Iowa and Buffalo will play their fourth game out of six in the series at Sahlen Field tomorrow, with first pitch set for 5:05 PM CT. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.

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International League Stories from April 20, 2023


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