Iowa Outlasts Indianapolis in 9-7 Victory
July 3, 2021 - International League (IL)
Iowa Cubs News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Iowa Cubs (20-30) took a 3-2 series lead over the Indianapolis Indians (27-25) with a 9-7 win, Saturday night at Victory Field.
Iowa got a two-out grand slam from first baseman Alfonso Rivas to take a 4-0 lead in the first inning, his second home run in as many games. The four-run lead evaporated quickly, as Indianapolis scored four runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame with two singles and a double.
The I-Cubs retook the lead in the third inning, when Ian Miller hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Nick Martini. Once again, Indy matched Iowa's run with one of their own on a Hunter Owen solo home run, re-tying the game at five.
Abiatal Avelino registered his third hit of the game in the fourth inning, a two-RBI triple to give Iowa their third lead of the game. A throwing error on the next play allowed Avelino to score, bringing Iowa's lead to 8-5.
Ryan Lawlor and Justin Steele relieved starter Matt Swarmer after just three innings, and held the Indians to five runs. They combined to throw five hitless frames, walking four and striking out six.
Martini added a run in the seventh with an RBI single, growing the I-Cubs' lead to four. Trevor Megill gave up two earned runs on two hits and a hit batter in the ninth inning, but earned the save, closing out the 9-7 victory for Iowa.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- Abiatal Avelino had four hits tonight, marking the first four-hit game of the season for an I-Cubs batter. 15 different batters had gotten three hits in a game, most recently Michael Hermosillo on July 1.
- Alfonso Rivas' grand slam in the first inning marked his second home run in as many games. Last night, he had a solo shot in the seventh inning, his first home run since September 1, 2019, against the Tacoma Rainiers.
- Iowa won their second straight game tonight and now have the chance to officially win their first series since taking four-of-six from Omaha back on May 18-23.
- Ryan Lawlor struck out five of the six batters he retired over his two scoreless innings of relief.
Iowa and Indianapolis will play the sixth and final game of the series tomorrow, with first pitch at Victory Field scheduled for 5:15 pm CT. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.
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