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Cubs Complete Sweep of Redbirds

By Randy Wehofer
May 29, 2012
Memphis, TN - Josh Vitters homered and drove in two to help lead the Iowa Cubs (23-27) to an 8-2 win over the Memphis Redbirds (17-34) at Auto Zone Park today. With the win, the Cubs completed a sweep of the four-game series and tied the season series with the Redbirds at 6-6. This was the Cubs' first series sweep of the season.

Vitters, making his first start of the season at first base, gave the Cubs the early lead with a solo home run in the top of the second inning. The Cubs added to the lead on an RBI triple by Brett Jackson in the fourth inning and an RBI double by Dave Sappelt in the fifth. All three runs were allowed by Redbirds' starter Brian Broderick, who came out of the game after five innings.

Cubs' starter Brooks Raley opened the game with five shutout innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Aaron Bates led off with a single, went to third on a double by Eugenio Velez, and both scored on a single by Ryan Jackson. After a base hit by Lou Montanez, the Cubs brought in Manny Corpas from the bullpen. Corpas got out of the inning, stranding both inherited runners, and went on to work through three scoreless innings in relief.

The Cubs added one insurance run against Maikel Cleto in the eighth inning. With two outs, Luis Valbuena doubled and scored on a base hit by Vitters. The Cubs blew the game open with four runs against Clay Zavada in the ninth. Ty Wright led off with a bunt single and scored three batters later on a single by Alfredo Amezaga. Another base hit by Sappelt loaded the bases for Steve Clevenger. Clevenger singled into left field to drive in two and when Bates' throw back to the infield got away for an error, Sappelt came in to score as well. Zavada got out of the inning to make the final run unearned.

Scott Maine allowed two hits and hit a batter in the bottom of the ninth, but finished the game without allowing a run. Raley (1-1) earned his first Triple-A win and Broderick (2-7) suffered his league-leading seventh loss.

The Cubs continue this road trip with the first of a four-game series tomorrow night at Werner Park in Omaha. LH Chris Rusin (4-4, 3.28) is scheduled to start for the Cubs against LH Jonathan Sanchez for the Storm Chasers. The game starts at 6:35 and will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:15.