PCL1 Iowa Cubs

Redbirds Fly to Victory over Cubs

June 22, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release


Memphis, TN - The Memphis Redbirds (37-40) got key home runs from Jamie Romak and Brock Peterson in a 6-2 victory over the Iowa Cubs (38-39) at Auto Zone Park tonight. The Redbirds claim the opener of this four-game series and pull to within a game of the Cubs for first place in the division. The Redbirds are now 4-1 in five home games against the Cubs this year.

The Cubs claimed the early lead with a first-inning run against Redbirds' starter Scott McGregor. Brian Bogusevic drew a one-out walk, stole second, and scored on a two-out double by Brad Nelson.

The Redbirds tied the game in the bottom of the third inning. Rob Johnson led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by McGregor, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Jackson. That ended a streak of 24 consecutive scoreless innings over four starts for Cubs' starter Chris Rusin going back to June 7.

The Redbirds took the lead in the fourth. With a man on and two outs, Romak launched a two-run homer over the end of the grass berm in left field for his 14th home run of the season that gave the Redbirds a 3-1 lead. WIth two on and two outs in the fifth, Peterson lined his league-leading 17th homer over the wall in left, pushing the Redbirds' lead to 6-1. It was Peterson's second homer off Rusin this season and the first time the Cubs' lefty has allowed more than one home run in a game.

The Cubs got one run back in the top of the sixth when Bogusevic led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Dave Sappelt, but McGregor didn't fade. He matched his season-high with seven innings pitched and snapped a streak of four consecutive losses. Sam Freeman was perfect over the final two innings out of the Redbirds' bullpen.

Rusin (6-7) suffered the loss and has allowed 13 runs in 10.1 innings in his two starts in Memphis this season. Former Redbird, Eduardo Sanchez, struck out one in two perfect innings in relief for the Cubs.

The Cubs and Redbirds continue this series tomorrow night at 6:05 at Auto Zone Park. RH Nick Struck (4-4, 5.84) will start for the Cubs. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940, and streamed at iowacubs.com, with the pre-game show starting at 5:45.

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