IL Iowa Cubs

May 21 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at Indianapolis Indians

May 21, 2023 - International League (IL)
Iowa Cubs News Release


IOWA CUBS (25-16) @ INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (20-23)

Sunday - 12:35 PM CT - Victory Field - Indianapolis, IN

RHP Ben Brown (1-1, 4.91) vs. RHP Quinn Priester (4-3, 4.66)

TODAY'S GAME: Iowa and Indianapolis will see a rematch from Tuesday night's game between Ben Brown and Quinn Priester. Brown enters today with a 4.91 ERA and a 1-1 record. Tuesday was his first career Triple-A loss and first on the 2023 season. He struck out a season-low two batters, bringing his total to 19 at this level. Priester got the best of the I-Cubs his last time out, going 7.0 innings and recording the win. He allowed just one run on five hits while striking out nine. The victory brought him to a 4-3 record this season with a 4.66 ERA. In 38.2 innings through eight starts, Priester has struck out 42 while walking just 12. This afternoon's matchup features Brown as the Cubs' No. 6 overall prospect and Priester as the Pirates' No. 4. Brown and the I-Cubs look to even the score against Priester and give Iowa another series win.

BROWN GOES DOWN: Ben Brown suffered his first Triple-A loss on Tuesday night in Indianapolis. It broke an undefeated streak that dated back to June 25, 2022. In that stretch, Brown made 16 starts in 17 appearances, recording a 7-0 record with 119 strikeouts. The loss also resulted in multiple career highs for Brown as he allowed seven runs, seven earned runs and three home runs. His seven hits allowed matched his career high in that category, the third time he's reached that mark in his career. In his 4.0 innings, the righty struck out just two hitters, which is his least in a start since April 16, 2022, where he did not record a punch out in 2.0 innings.

WINDHAM RETURNED WITH A WIN: Yesterday marked Bryce Windham's first game since April 8. He was 1-1 a run scored and a walk before being taken out for a hand injury on that April day. The catcher was eventually placed on the seven-day injured list and would stay there from April 9 to May 18. Windham's first game back behind the plate gave Iowa a seven-inning one-hitter and helped them to their second straight win. At the dish, he went 1-3 recording a single in his first at-bat. Windham will split catching duties with Miguel Amaya following his return to Iowa.

SET THE TONE: Darius Hill led off both games in last night's doubleheader, combining to go 3-for-6 with a run batted in. He led the way for Iowa in hits on the day, being just one of two players for the I-Cubs to record a multi-hit game last night. Hill has been a catalyst for Iowa all year, now hitting .295 with seven doubles and 18 RBI in his 25 games this year. He played both corner outfield spots last night, improving his records in each spot. When Hill starts in left field (13 games), Iowa is 11-2, when he starts in right field (five games) they are 4-1 and when he bats out of the leadoff spot (11 games), the I-Cubs are 8-3.

DYNAMIC DUO: Kyle Hendricks and Hayden Wesneski took over last night's doubleheader, leading Iowa to a sweep over Indianapolis in the twin bill. Hendricks recorded a quality start for Iowa, just their second of the year and first since exactly a month prior to last night. Roenis Elías spun 6.1 innings in game one of a doubleheader against Buffalo on April 20, registering as the longest start of the year for an I-Cubs pitcher. Hendricks made his fifth start on major league rehab for the I-Cubs last night, and was the sharpest he has looked yet. The veteran right-hander spun six one-run innings, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out six batters along the way. He earned his second win of the season, moving his overall record to 2-1 with a 5.75 ERA. In game two, Wesneski made his first start of the 2023 season at the Triple-A level after being optioned by Chicago on Monday. All Wesneski did was throw five no-hit innings, allowing four walks while striking out five. The five scoreless frames kept his ERA at 0.00 while earning his first win of the season, as Iowa's offense got him one run for the win. Iowa played 14.0 innings of baseball in their doubleheader last night, and their two starters combined to throw 11.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out 11 combined batters.

SAVE THE DAY: Manuel Rodriguez entered game one of the doubleheader last night in the seventh inning with Iowa up 2-1. He allowed a single and a walk to put the winning run on first base with no outs, but then he locked in. Rodríguez got a strike out, fly out and a strike out to end the game and earn his seventh save of the year. His seven saves lead both the team and International League, as he is tied in first place in the IL with Miguel Diaz of Toledo. The next closest player on Iowa's active roster is Chris Clarke and Cam Sanders each with one save.

AGAINST INDIANAPOLIS: With yesterday's double header sweep, Iowa clinched at least a series tie and can secure a series victory with a win today. The I-Cubs have collected three wins despite being outscored by 10 runs, at 24-14. Iowa still trails the all-time series 41-60 and all-time in Indianapolis 22-34.

SHORT HOPS: Iowa threw a seven-inning one-hitter in game two yesterday, their first since exactly a month ago, on April 20 in game two of a doubleheader against Buffalo...Iowa is now 11-2 on the year in one-run games, 4-0 at home and 7-2 on the road...the I-Cubs game one victory yesterday was their first win of the season when their opponent scores first on the road, bringing them to 1-5 on the year in that category...Chris Clarke earned his first save of the season with two scoreless innings of relief in game two last night, marking just the second save of his career.

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