Oklahoma Blasts Stifle Cubs
Published on June 27, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, IA - The Cubs dropped their second straight game and the opener of their three-game set with the RedHawks, falling 10-6 Wednesday night. Chris Rusin could not quell the Oklahoma (45-34) offense in the 100 degree heat, surrendering eight runs- seven earned- over four plus innings of work. The southpaw walked three, hit a batter, and allowed three home runs in his sixth loss for Iowa (33-47).
Oklahoma City scored early with the help of Wednesday's first baseman du jour Josh Vitters. Brett Wallace scored on an E3 on a hot shot to first by former I-Cub Brad Snyder to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead. Wallace went 4-for-6 and scored three of their ten runs. The Hawks added a second run in the second on a Landon Powell solo home run over the wall in left.
Oklahoma added two more in the third. Mike Hessman tacked on another solo shot in the third inning for Oklahoma's third run before an RBI double by Brandon Barnes. The RedHawks knocked 15 hits, nine for extra bases with five doubles and four home runs and scoring in every inning except the final three frames.
Iowa's offense responded with four third-inning runs. Chris Rusin helped his own cause, starting the rally with a single and later scoring the Cubs' first run on an Adrian Cardenas RBI ground out. Josh Vitters continued his hot hitting with an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to a season-high ten games. Wright tied the score with a two-run double to cap the inning.
Rusin struggled to keep Iowa in the game though, allowing his third home run in the fourth, another solo blast, this one by Brett Wallace. Matt Tolbert (2-for-4) broke out of a slump, doubling to left to knot the score at five.
Iowa's starter could not make it through the fifth though, surrendering another RBI double before exiting. In his 2012 I-Cubs debut Alberto Cabrera allowed one inherited runner to score before dishing Mike Hessman's 23rd home run of the season, tying Anthony Rizzo's league lead.
The RedHawks bullpen silenced Iowa's offense, tossing 3.1 perfect innings of relief. Mike MacDougal, Jeff Beliveau, and Esmailin Caridad combined to hurl five scoreless innings out of the pen, with Beliveau striking out the side in the eighth.
Josh Vitters led off the eighth inning with his first triple of the season and scored on Wright's sacrifice fly for his 32nd RBI. Dave Sappelt (2-for-4), Diory Hernandez (2-for-4), and Juan Apodaca then ripped back-to-back-to-back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. Iowa could not cash in though, leaving the bases loaded. Four I-Cubs had a multi-hit game.
The Cubs will look for their first win against the RedHawks this season with another 7:05 p.m. start tomorrow night. RHP Chris Volstad takes the bump for Iowa in search of his third victory of the season. All the action can be heard on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 27, 2012
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