Omaha Ignites Bats on Iowa
Published on July 4, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Des Moines, IA - The Cubs fell to the Storm Chasers 11-2 on the Fourth of July in front of 11,950 fans at Principal Park. Unfortunately all of Iowa's fireworks arrived post-game at the ballpark for America's birthday. Lopez suffered the loss, going 4.1 innings and allowing eight runs--six earned--on 11 hits while walking one and striking out one. Doug Davis recorded his fourth straight quality for win number five on the season for Omaha (55-32), holding Iowa (35-52) to two runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings of work.
Omaha roughed up Rodrigo for two consecutive three-run innings to start the game to put Iowa down early. The Storm Chasers scored six runs on six hits, only one for extra bases, over the first two innings.
After stranding four runners over the first two frames, Iowa plated their first run in the third. Brett Jackson knocked an RBI single to score the hot hitting Dave Sappelt, who extended his hit streak to five games with single to right to start the inning. The Cubs could not cash in with the bases juiced though. Wellington Castillo walked and Blake DeWitt was hit by a pitch to load the bases with I-Cubs. Brian Esposito struck out to leave three aboard and end the inning.
Lopez did not make it out of the fifth inning, surrendering his seventh run and leaving runners on the corners with one down. Esmailin Caridad allowed one of his two inherited runners to score in the inning on a throwing error by Wellington Castillo for Omaha's eighth run. Caridad surrendered his first earned run in six appearances when Johnny Giavotella took his deep to straight away center in the sixth.
Jackson (2-for-3) knocked in Iowa's second run in the fifth with a frozen rope to right to score Adrian Cardenas (2-for-3). Brett continued his team-leading thievery, sniping two bags on the evening to bring his stolen base total to an even 20.
Omaha extended their lead to 11-2 in the eighth, rocking Mike MacDougal for two runs on two hits and two walks in his only inning of work. Jeff Beliveau tossed a scoreless ninth for Iowa, the only Cubs pitcher to not allow a run. Iowa's defensive struggled in the loss, committing three errors for the fifth time this season.
Iowa will look to right the ship tomorrow in game two of the five-game set with Omaha. Thursday is a southpaw duel with Brooks Raley (4-3) facing off against Ryan Verdugo (5-2) for another 7:05 p.m. start at Principal Park.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 4, 2012
- Colorado Springs Takes Opener over Reno, 19-4 - Reno Aces
- River Cats Blow out Fresno, 18-4 - Sacramento River Cats
- Round Rock Express Drop Opener at Albuquerque 8-2 - Round Rock Express
- Bees' Rally Falls Short - Salt Lake Bees
- Chasers Cruise to Win over Cubs - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Omaha Ignites Bats on Iowa - Iowa Cubs
- Zephyrs Rally But Lose 10-9 to Oklahoma City - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- RedHawks Rally in Eighth, Hold On for 10-9 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds Slip by 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Sounds Win 6-4 over Memphis on Independence Day - Nashville Sounds
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Albuquerque Isotopes - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes: July 4, 2012 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rainiers Blow Past Fresno, 8-2 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Salt Lake Pitching too Much for Padres - Tucson Padres
- Cubs Win, Spoil Sounds Attempt at Series Sweep - Iowa Cubs
- River Cats Lose 7-4 Before Record Crowd - Sacramento River Cats
- Martinez's Blast Wins it for RedHawks, 11-10 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces Top 51s in Front of Capacity Crowd - Reno Aces
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