Game Notes for Wednesday, June 17

TODAY'S GAME: The Iowa Cubs and Omaha Storm Chasers, Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, play the rubber match of a three-game series today at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb. This is the third game of the season between the two teams. Iowa is second in the American Northern Division, 8.0 games behind Oklahoma City. Omaha is third, 19.5 games back of the Dodgers.

PENA, PENA, PENA, KOTCHMAN: Omaha catcher Francisco Pena clubbed three home runs and drove in four, and first baseman Casey Kotchman smacked a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth as the Storm Chasers defeated the I-Cubs 6-4 Tuesday night at Werner Park. Iowa righty Blake Cooper retired the first two men in the ninth, then pitched around Pena and walked him to set up Kotchman's heroics. Left-hander Jeffry Antigua got the spot start for Iowa and allowed three runs in 5.0 innings. It was the first time Iowa had allowed three home runs to an opposing player since Oklahoma City's Mike Hessman on June 3, 2012. It was also the first four-homer game for an opposing team against Iowa this season.

GAFFES GALORE: Iowa's 64 errors are third-most in the PCL. Iowa is also third-to-last in the PCL in fielding percentage (.974). Iowa is 22-6 when committing zero errors, but 12-24 when making at least one. Christian Villanueva leads the PCL with 16 errors in 48 games. Iowa has committed 3+ errors in a game eight times this season. Furthermore, the I-Cubs lead the PCL in unearned runs allowed. Iowa has allowed 296 total runs this season, but only 244 have been earned. That's a difference of 52 unearned runs. Iowa has been outscored by opponents 296-289 so far this season, yet are still four games above .500. Iowa has been better in the field as of late, and is error-free in seven of the last nine games. 

ROAD WARRIORS: Iowa is 16-12 on the road this season, and 12-7 in the last 19 games away from home. It has recorded double-digit hits in nine consecutive road games, and has scored six or more runs in seven of the last nine. 

GET ON, GET IN: Arismendy Alcantara has reached base in 44 of 52 games he has appeared in this season. He leads the I-Cubs with 39 runs scored this season, and is second on the team in stolen bases.

VS. OMAHA: This is the third game of a three-game series between the I-Cubs and the Storm Chasers, and the third of 16 scheduled games this season between the two clubs. The teams play two three-game series and two five-game series against one another in 2015. Omaha travels to Principal Park in Des Moines June 23-25, and again August 5-9. Iowa returns to Werner Park July 8-11. Last season, Iowa took the season series 9-7. Iowa won six of eight at Principal Park, but dropped five of eight at Werner Park. The teams have split the season series 1-1 thus far. Iowa leads the all-time PCL series 144-129. 

HOMER HAPPY JUNE: Iowa has hit 18 home runs so far in 15 June games. The team hit 21 homers in 29 May contests, and 13 homers in 20 April games. Overall, Iowa has hit 52 home runs, led by Arismendy Alcantara who has 10. I-Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva has a combined 10 home runs between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa this season, tied with Alcantara for second in the Cubs' entire farm system behind top prospect Kyle Schwarber's 13. 

SPEED DEMONS: The I-Cubs are second in the PCL in stolen bases this season with 73. John Andreoli is third in the league with 18 swipes. Iowa is also third in the league with 21 triples this season. Arismendy Alcantara leads the PCL with six triples, a year after leading the PCL with 11. Rubi Silva is tied for third in the PCL with four. Andreoli has hit three triples this season. Matt Szczur and Christian Villanueva each have two, and four others players each have one.

BULLPEN BANTER: Iowa's bullpen has been a major strength at times this season, but has been trending downward as of late. The I-Cubs bullpen is 17-8 ERA with a 4.15 ERA as of today. As of June 1, it was 3.74. On May 1, it was 3.46. They have struck out a collective 207 batters and walked 126. Iowa has spread out 20 save opportunities amongst 11 different pitchers this season. They have converted 15 of 20 save chances. Brian Schlitter leads the team with five saves. Current Chicago Cub James Russell is still second on the I-Cubs with three saves. 

TRANSACTIONS: Iowa activated Junior Lake today after the outfielder was optioned on Sunday. Also, catcher/infielder Taylor Davis was reassigned to Double-A Tennessee.