Isotopes Complete Sweep of Cubs
April 7, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Albuquerque, NM - Nick Buss had a double and a homer among four hits in his first triple-A start to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (4-0) to a 7-3 win over the Iowa Cubs (0-4) at Isotopes Park this afternoon. The Cubs have lost 13 straight games in Albuquerque and have been swept in the season-opening series for the first time since 2010.
Three Isotopes pitchers combined to limit the Cubs to one hit through the first eight innings and just four overall in the game. Ryan Sweeney belted a solo homer off 'Topes starter Javy Guerra in the top of the second inning for all of the Cubs' early offense. Guerra worked through four innings and combined with Angel Castro to retire 13 consecutive Cubs from the third through the seventh innings.
The Cubs scored two runs off a tiring Castro in the ninth. Brett Jackson singled and went to third on a double by Darnell McDonald. Jackson scored on a passed ball and McDonald scored on a groundout by Brian Bogusevic. With two outs and the bases empty in the ninth, the 'Topes brought in Steve Smith who gave up a single to Sweeney before getting the final out. Sweeney is 6-for-7 with a walk in his first two games with Iowa. McDonald is the only Cub to have at least one hit in each of the first four games of the season.
On offense, the 'Topes got another big day from Scott Van Slyke, who had a two-run double in the first inning and added a solo home run off Casey Coleman in the sixth. Buss doubled and scored in the second, had an RBI single in the fourth, and capped his day with a homer off Jensen Lewis in the eighth. Cubs' starter Nick Struck (0-1) allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings and suffered the loss. Coleman was charged with two runs in two innings and Lewis finished the eighth. Castro (1-0) was credited with the win.
NOTE: In the top of the fourth inning, Cubs' manager Marty Pevey was ejected by home plate umpire Angel Campos for disputing a strike called on a check swing by Donnie Murphy. Murphy struck out to end the inning and was also ejected by Campos as he took off his batting gloves at home plate.
The Cubs travel to Round Rock to start a four-game series with the Express tomorrow night at 7:05 at Dell Diamond. The Express are the Pacific Coast League affiliate of the Texas Rangers. RH Barret Loux will start the opener for the Cubs in his triple-A debut. RH Collin Ballester is scheduled to start for the Express. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed at iowacubs.com with the pre-game show starting at 6:45.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 7, 2013
- Gray, Choice Lead Cats to 8-4 Win - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers Foiled By Fresno, 5-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Isotopes Complete Sweep of Iowa - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks Outlast Memphis 14-10 in Extras - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces Top Sky Sox 14-1 to Split Series - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Buck, Weber Propel Tucson past Salt Lake 9-1 - Tucson Padres
- Isotopes Complete Sweep of Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Aces Earn Series Split with 14-1 Win - Reno Aces
- Sounds Fall to Zephyrs, 3-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Defeat Nashville 3-1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Falls to Omaha, 5-2 - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes: April 7, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Albuquerque Curse Continues for Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Topes Win Third in a Row Behind Van Slyke, Pen - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Peterson Returns, Cats Lose To 51s, 6-1 - Sacramento River Cats
- Zunino Leads Rainiers Past Fresno, 8-6 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Salt Lake wins over Tucson - Tucson Padres
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
