Pesky Z's Sneak Past I-Cubs 3-2 in Extra Innings
Published on April 15, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Metairie, La. (April 15, 2015) - Iowa's bullpen has been a major strength through five games this season, but it couldn't protect a late one-run lead as the Cubs (3-3) fell to New Orleans (2-4) 3-2 in 10 innings Wednesday afternoon in Pacific Coast League action at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La. The loss snapped Iowa's three-game winning streak.
Up 2-1 going into the ninth, Iowa all-time saves leader Blake Parker loaded the bases full of Zephyrs with one out. Z's third baseman Scott Sizemore then stepped to the plate and drove a 1-1 fastball into deep right field, scoring Vinny Rottino on a sacrifice fly to tie the game and send it into extras.
After failing to score in the top of the 10th inning, Iowa called on left-hander Drake Britton who loaded the bases with one out. The Cubs shifted defensively to put five men on the infield, leaving just two outfielders, and Rottino, who scored the tying run in the ninth, lifted the first pitch of the at-bat into center field to score Nick Wittgren for the game-winning run.
Wittgren (1-0) picked up the win for New Orleans by striking out the side in the 10th. Britton (1-2) suffered the loss after only recording one out in the 10th inning on two hits and a walk.
Iowa starter Donn Roach pitched well on the afternoon, even carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Cole Gillespie broke it up with a leadoff double to right field. That was all the right-hander would allow in 6.0 innings. Roach also struck out three and generated 12 groundouts on only 67 pitches before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning.
Zephyrs starter Justin Nicolino was equally impressive, keeping Iowa off the board through 6.0 innings on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Parker allowed a run in 1.1 innings on three walks and a hit in his first blown save of the year. Blake Cooper allowed a run in 1.2 innings in relief of Roach. Derek Dietrich's solo homer off Cooper in the eighth snapped a 17-inning scoreless streak by Iowa's bullpen.
Jonathan Mota led the Cubs with a pair of hits and an RBI. Chris Valaika went 2-for-4. Kris Bryant went 0-for-3 but walked once and scored a run.
Gillespie paced New Orleans, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.
The Cubs and Zephyrs are scheduled to play a doubleheader tomorrow evening starting at 5:00 p.m. CT at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La. Left-hander Eric Jokisch (0-0, 0.00) starts game one for Iowa opposite Zephyrs righty Jose Urena (0-0, 1.50). Right-hander Carlos Pimentel (0-1, 12.27) is scheduled to take the mound in game two for the I-Cubs against Z's left-hander Adam Conley (0-1, 6.00). Both games will be broadcast live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and streamed live at iowacubs.com with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 4:35 p.m. CT.
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