Big first inning helps Isotopes down Iowa

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Albuquerque Isotopes (22-32) used a six-run first inning and took advantage of costly Iowa errors to help snap the Cubs' (27-25) four-game winning streak with a 9-7 win in Pacific Coast League action Thursday night at Isotopes Park.

 

Christian Villanueva got the scoring started with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, his sixth of the season. It was the third straight night Villanueva has homered.

 

Despite the quick lead, right-hander Dallas Beeler (1-5) ran into trouble right away in the bottom of the first and Albuquerque took control early. The right-hander allowed six runs in the frame, but three were unearned due to fielding errors by Villanueva and Adron Chambers.

 

Villanueva made two errors on the night. It was the first time he had ever started a game at first base in his professional career, and his fourth multi-error game of the season. He leads the PCL with 15 miscues this year.

 

The Cubs and Isotopes traded runs in the middle innings. Iowa added another run in the fourth on Rubi Silva's solo home run, his first of two in the game. They scored three more in the fifth on RBI-singles from Villanueva, Silva and Chris Valaika.

 

Albuquerque tallied single runs in the fourth and fifth innings off Beeler before grabbing another in the sixth off right-hander Carl Edwards Jr.

 

Iowa scratched across another run in the seventh inning on Silva's second solo home run of the day, but it was too little too late.

 

In total, Beeler allowed eight runs, four earned, on 11 hits and three walks in 5.0 innings. He struck out two in a loss. Edwards allowed one run in 2.0 innings on two hits. He struck out three. Right-hander Yoervis Medina worked around a walk and a hit to toss a scoreless eighth inning for Iowa.

 

Isotopes starter Yohan Flande (2-0) allowed six runs, four earned, on 11 hits to earn the win. Justin Miller pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to shut the door for his first save of the season.

 

Silva paced Iowa with a 4-for-5 night, including two home runs and three RBI. Villanueva went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI. Chambers reached base four times on two hits and two walks. Five I-Cubs had multi-hit nights.

 

Iowa went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs out-hit the Isotopes 15-14, the fifth straight night Iowa has notched exactly 15 hits.

 

Matt McBride led Albuquerque offensively, going 4-for-5 with three runs and an RBI. Drew Stubbs went 3-for-3 with four RBI and a run scored.

 

The I-Cubs and Isotopes will face off again in game three of a four-game series Thursday evening at Isotopes Park. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. CT. Left-hander Eric Jokisch (2-2, 3.67) is scheduled to start for Iowa against Isotopes righty Boone Whiting (1-0, 3.60). 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 7:40 p.m. CT.