Iowa's Two-Run Eighth Inning Derails Express 5-4
July 2, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 2, 2015) - Iowa (42-37) overcame the vaunted Round Rock (46-33) bullpen with five hits and two runs in the eighth inning to derail the Express 5-4 in Pacific Coast League action at Principal Park on Thursday evening. It was the I-Cubs' fourth one-run game in their last five contests and the first time Round Rock has lost after leading in the seventh inning in 43 games.
Down 4-3 going into the bottom of the eighth, Mike Olt started off the inning with a double off the left field wall, just inches shy of clearing the wall. Junior Lake singled to right to drive in Olt, and was then retired at second trying to stretch it into a double. Taylor Teagarden followed up with a single before Chris Valaika flared a ball to right field that landed in front of right fielder Ryan Strausborger. Jonathan Mota delivered the winning-hit a batter later, sending a chopper through the hole at short to drive in Teagarden.
Alex Claudio (2-1) was charged with the loss and blown save in relief after giving up the lead in the eighth. Round Rock's bullpen was solid before Claudio's entrance as Will Lamb, Phil Klein and Jimmy Reyes all pitched scoreless frames. Rehabbing left-hander Martin Perez left after 4.0 innings after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while fanning five.
Iowa's starter Drake Britton faired much better than his 11-run appearance against Round Rock last time out. The lefty spun his second straight quality start, going 6.0 innings while allowing four runs, one earned, on eight hits and one walk. He tied a season-high with five strikeouts.
All-four of Round Rock's runs came off of Britton in its half of the second inning. The Express began the frame by reaching on an Olt fielding error. Tommy Field then laced a single and was followed by a Jared Hoying double and a Tomas Telis base-hit to make it 3-0 Round Rock. Delino DeShields completed their scoring with an RBI double to left center.
Iowa responded with one run in its half of the second on a Teagarden double to drive in Olt who reached earlier that inning on a single. Teagarden tied a career-high with two doubles on the night. The I-Cubs continued to chip away with two runs in the bottom of the third. With Mota on third base and John Andreoli at second, Olt tapped an infield single to third base to score Mota. Express third baseman Joey Gallo then made an errant throw, allowing Andreoli to score as Iowa cut the Round Rock lead to 4-3.
Britton then settled in, allowing just three hits the rest of the way. Right-hander Armando Rivero (1-1) tossed 2.0 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season. RIghty Gonzalez Germen earned his fourth save with a perfect ninth that included two strikeouts.
Olt, Teagarden and Mota led Iowa with three hits apiece as Iowa out-hit Round Rock 14-9. Olt scored two runs as well. Lake reached base three times on a single and two walks. Lake is now 13-for-27 in his last eight games with four doubles, six walks, three RBI and seven runs.
DeShields, Field and Telis paced Round Rock with two hits each. Field got on base three times thanks to two singles and a walk.
Iowa and Round Rock Express will play the final game of a four-game series Friday evening at Principal Park. First pitch is set for 7:08 p.m. CT. Right-hander Felipe Paulino (1-4, 5.13) is scheduled to start for Iowa against Express righty Stolmy Pimentel (2-2, 6.39). The game can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live-streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 6:40 p.m. CT.
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