Long Ball Leads Cubs to Victory
Published on June 17, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, IA -Iowa snapped their six-game losing streak with a 3-2 comeback victory to Albuquerque on Father's Day at Principal Park. The Cubs (30-41) avoided their second straight sweep in the final game of the series with the Isotopes (40-31) and the 13-game home stand. Anthony Rizzo's league-leading 23rd home run and solid performances from the Iowa bullpen led the Cubs to a long awaited win.
Cubs' starters struggled early for the third straight game. Chris Volstad allowed to first inning runs, facing four batters before retiring a batter. Trent Oeltjen led off with a single and scored on an Alex Castellanos triple. Castellanos came home on a slow ground ball misplayed by Anthony Rizzo at first. Volstad struck out Sands and then induced an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.
The Florida native did not allow another run after the first, but did not factor in the decision. The righty tossed six innings of two-run ball and surrendered seven hits while striking out six for his first quality start with the Cubs this season.
Alfredo Amezaga wasted no time putting Iowa on the board, blasting a lead-off home run to left to cut Albuquerque's lead in half. Josh Vitters continued his hot hitting this home stand with a single up the middle in the fourth and a double in the sixth off the top of the wall in left.
Brett Jackson and Diory Hernandez followed Vitters with two free passes to load the bases for Iowa in the sixth to knock starter Antonini out of the game. Juan Apodaca pinch hit for Volstad but struck out on three pitches to end the Iowa rally.
Amezaga (2-for-4) led off the seventh with an infield single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sappelt to put the tying run as second for Geovany Soto. Soto (0-for-4) popped out to right, bringing Rizzo to the plate with two down. The Cubs first baseman smacked a two-run blast far beyond the right center field wall to give Iowa their first lead of the game.
Michael Bowden pitched a perfect seventh, fanning two of the three batters he faced. The righty reliever then followed up with two more strikeouts and a single in the eighth before giving the reigns to Scott Maine.
Geovany Soto caught all nine innings in his fifth game rehabbing with Iowa. Bowden earned his first win with Iowa this season, while Maine recorded his fifth save. Reliever Derrick Loop surrendered the Rizzo home run and suffered the loss.
The Cubs have an off-day tomorrow before heading for a four-game set in Round Rock. RHP Rodrigo Lopez will take the hill for the Cubs on Tuesday for a 7:05 p.m. start against Round Rock's RHP Greg Reynolds. Iowa returns home Saturday to open a seven-game home stand. Tuesday's game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the On Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45 p.m.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 17, 2012
- Round Rock Express Edge Oklahoma City 4-2 - Round Rock Express
- Round Rock Earns Series Split, 4-2 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rainiers Top River Cats, 12-10 - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers Come Back To Top River Cats, 12-10 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Padres Snap Skid with Easy Victory - Tucson Padres
- Aces Fall to Tucson, 10-4 - Reno Aces
- Sounds Slow Down Storm Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Martin Pitches Zephyrs by 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Green Powers Zephyrs to Series Win in Memphis - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Take Finale from Omaha, 4-1 - Nashville Sounds
- 'Topes Ripped by Rizzo in 3-2 I-Cubs Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Long Ball Leads Cubs to Victory - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Oklahoma City RedHawks - Round Rock Express
- River Cats Defeated by Rainiers, 11-5 - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers Rally Past Sacramento, 11-5 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Padres Still Ice Cold, Drop 10th Straight - Tucson Padres
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