Iowa Drops Opener to Round Rock
April 7, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Des Moines, IA - Jared Hoying knocked a third-inning grand slam to lift the Round Rock Express (1-0) over the Iowa Cubs (0-1) 7-3 on Opening Day, Thursday at Principal Park. With the win, Round Rock improved to 4-2 in Pacific Coast League season openers against Iowa.
Right hander Ryan Williams (0-1) got the ball for Iowa in his first Triple-A and first Opening Day start. The Express chased the starter after tagging him with seven runs, six earned, off six hits through 3.0 innings and took the loss. Williams was knocked with two runs in the first inning and five in the third with the help of Hoying's bases loaded long ball.
Right-hander Spencer Barnes entered the game in the fourth and halted the Express bats. Barnes only allowed one hit in two innings during his season debut while striking out one Round Rock batter. Right-hander Brandon Gomes followed Barnes by providing the Cubs with a hitless 2.0 innings. Carl Edwards Jr. and Spencer Patton also chipped in to the relief effort. In total, the Cubs bullpen did not allow a run in 6.0 innings of work after the five-run inning in the third.
Express starter Nick Martinez (1-0) started the 2016 season strong by earning the first win of the season. Martinez allowed two earned runs in 4.2 innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Cubs managed to push a run across the plate in the second as Kristopher Negrón reached base on an error by Joey Gallo and then later scored on a fielder's choice from Juan Perez. The Cubs narrowed the gap in the fifth inning with two runs, but were unable to make up the difference as they ultimately left nine runners on base.
Negrón came out strong in the Cubs' season opener and led the way offensively by going 3-for-4. Willson Contreras and Daniel Vogelbach each tallied multi-hit games for Iowa as Juan Perez, Vogelbach and Albert Almora Jr. each added an RBI.
The Cubs and Express play game two of the four-game set at Principal Park on Friday night. First pitch is set for 7:08 p.m. CT with fireworks following the game. All games are broadcast on AM 940 and online at iowacubs.com. Tickets can be purchases in person at Principal Park, by phone at (515) 243-6111 or online at iowacubs.com.
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