Villanueva Smacks Two Home Runs as I-Cubs out Slug Redbirds 9-7
July 17, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 17, 2015) - Christian Villanueva clubbed two home runs and Dallas Beeler spun his fifth quality start as the Iowa Cubs (49-43) dropped the Memphis Redbirds (48-45) 9-7 in Pacific Coast League action Friday night in front of 12,934 fans at Principal Park.
The Redbirds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first but Iowa responded with five runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, and would never relinquish the lead.
After a sacrifice fly from Villanueva, and back-to-back RBI singles by Mike Olt and Taylor Davis, Rubi Silva uncorked a two-run home run to centerfield, giving Iowa its 5-3 lead.
Iowa extended its advantage with three runs in the bottom of the third, beginning with the first of two solo shots from Villanueva. Silva then roped an RBI double to right center and Beeler helped his cause with a two-out RBI single to center to make it 8-3.
Villanueva went deep again just an inning later to make it 9-3. It was Villanueva's fifth career two-homer game, second multi-home run game of the season and first with Iowa. Villanueva is now tied with Arismendy Alcantara for the team lead in home runs with 11.
After a three-run first inning, Beeler (2-5) settled in to hurl five straight scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits and one walk while fanning five in 6.0 innings to notch his third straight quality start for Iowa.
Right-hander Armando Rivero spun a scoreless seventh before Yoervis Medina ran into trouble, allowing four earned runs in the top of the eighth. Memphis inched closer with Jeremy Hazelbaker's three-run home run to right, but Iowa turned to righty Ben Rowen who retired the next two batters to escape with the lead.
Right-hander Brian Schlitter pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his twelfth save as he extended his scoreless-innings streak to 19.2 frames.
Zach Petrick (5-5) started for Memphis and suffered the loss, allowing a season-worst eight earned runs on eight hits and two walks in 3.0 innings. Right-hander Chris Thomas allowed the only other Iowa run, coming on Villanueva's second solo home run.
Villanueva and Silva both went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs to lead Iowa. Junior Lake extended his season-high hitting streak to eight games, going 1-for-3 with a walk.
Dean Anna, Scruggs and Hazelbaker led Memphis, each going 2-for-4. Hazelbaker improved his batting average to .467 (21-for-45) in 11 games since joining Memphis.
The I-Cubs and Redbirds will play game three of their four-game series Saturday night at Principal Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. CT. Right-hander Carlos Pimentel (6-5, 3.15) will start for Iowa against Memphis lefty John Gast (5-6, 4.45). The game can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live-streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 6:40 p.m. CT.
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