Rucinski's Gem Drives Iowa
September 4, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, IA - Drew Rucinski took a perfect game into the fifth inning in his league-leading 28th start of the season to propel the Iowa Cubs (66-76) to a 5-1 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (67-70), Sunday at Principal Park. Rucinski's effort was supported by multi-hit games from Bijan Rademacher and Munenori Kawasaki.
Rucinski dialed into his final start of the 2016 season and retired the first 13 batters he faced. Josmil Pinto broke up the perfect game bid with a one-out single up the middle in the fifth inning. Rucinski (7-15) ultimately went 7.2 innings and allowed three hits, one run, one walk and struck out eight to take the win.
Iowa gave Rucinski a boost with an active offensive effort, building to a 5-0 edge after five innings. The I-Cubs sprang into action immediately with a pair of runs in the first. John Andreoli drew a walk to open the game and Logan Watkins followed with a single. Jeimer Candelario plated the first run with a sacrifice fly and Rademacher doubled in the second run of the inning.
The I-Cubs added another run in the second, taking advantage of another leadoff walk - this time to Taylor Davis. One batter later Rucinski helped his cause with a triple to the wall, the first of his career.
Iowa kept the momentum and put two more tallies on the board in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Andreoli knocked in one with an RBI double and Albert Almora Jr. also doubled and later scored on a fielding error by Sky Sox' third baseman, Garin Cecchini.
Colorado Springs ended the shutout bid in the seventh. Lewis Brinson drilled a double off the wall in center field and came home on a single from Andy Wilkins.
Both teams were quiet in the late frames as Iowa sped to its third consecutive victory.
Iowa and Colorado Springs play the final game of the 2016 regular season at 12:08 p.m., Monday at Principal Park. Promotions include Bike to the Ballpark and Fareway 2-for-1 tickets. For more information or tickets visit www.iowacubs.com.
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