Royals defeat Cubs, 7-2
Published on July 20, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
The Omaha Royals (38-56) scored three runs in the first inning and did not look back en route to a 7-2 victory over the Iowa Cubs (49-46) Monday night at Principal Park. The Cubs left 10 runners on base and finished the game 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Iowa starter J.R. Mathes (8-5), who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs in three innings. The left-hander allowed eight hits and a walk and did not strike out a batter.
Omaha first baseman Kila Ka'aihue put the Royals in front with a two- run double in the first inning and finished the night 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Royals designated hitter J.R. House also went 3-for-5 and scored twice.
The Royals added to their early lead with two runs in the third inning off Mathes and two more in the fourth off reliever James Russell to push their lead to 7-0. The Cubs cut the lead to 7-2 with Jason Dubois' 10th home run of the season in the fifth, but did not get closer.
Former Iowa Cub Stephen Randolph (5-3) got the win for Omaha, allowing five hits and six walks while striking out three in five innings of work.
Nate Spears continued his hot July hitting, finishing 3-for-3 Monday with a double. Spears is hitting .442 (19-for-43) this month and has raised his average from .189 on May 29th to .257 following Monday's game.
The Cubs and Royals meet in the second game of their four-game set tomorrow afternoon at Principal Park. Right-hander Esmailin Caridad (4-9, 4.47) will start for Iowa and will oppose Omaha's Kyle Davies (3-1, 2.28). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
Notes: Vince Perkins pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Cubs. He has not allowed a run since June 13, a span of 24.1 innings ... Since May 29, Spears is hitting .333 (40-for-120) with nine doubles, two triples, a home run, 15 RBIs, and 15 runs scored ... In his first game back with the I-Cubs since being optioned from Chicago on Saturday, Sam Fuld was 1-for-3 with a single, two walks and a pair of stolen bases ... The Cubs dropped to 4-4 this season when committing three or more errors.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 20, 2009
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