Offense Absent in I-Cubs Loss
Published on June 26, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, IA - Iowa dropped the series finale with Round Rock with a 3-1 loss Tuesday afternoon. Frankie De La Cruz tossed five innings of three-run ball, surrendering five walks and five hits. The Cubs (33-46) starter suffered his third loss of the season and his second straight to Round Rock (36-43).
Josh Vitters extended his season-high hit streak to nine games with a first inning single. The Cubs stranded four runners in the first two innings, but finally cashed in on a Blake Lalli RBI double in the third to gain a 1-0 lead. Alfredo Amezaga, who reached base safely in two of his four at bats, scored on the broken-bat two bagger.
Round Rock took the lead in the fourth after stringing together four straight singles following a one-out walk surrendered by De La Cruz. A wild pitch, a passed ball, and a sun-drenched shallow pop-up to left added to the forgettable fourth for Iowa.
The Cubs threatened in the sixth. Iowa loaded the bases with two down with two walks and a Juan Apodaca double to chase start Chad Bell out of the game. Matt Tolbert pulled a sharp ground ball to first to end the inning and leave the bases juiced.
Ryan Rowland-Smith hurled three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits in his thirteenth outing from the bullpen this season. Iowa's offense could not scratch back despite a second Apodaca double in the eighth. The Cubs designated hitter was the only Iowa bat with more than one hit on the day.
Chad Bell picked up his first victory in his triple-a debut for Round Rock. Aaron Heilman tossed a scoreless ninth to record his fifth save of the season.
The Cubs will look to right the ship tomorrow as they open a three-game set against Oklahoma City. LHP Chris Rusin (6-5) toes the rubber for Iowa against fellow southpaw Brett Oberholtzer (1-1). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show beginning at 6:45 p.m.
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