Game Notes for Friday, June 19

TONIGHT'S GAME: The Iowa Cubs and Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, play the second game of a four-game series tonight at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX. This is the second game of the season between the two teams. Iowa is second in the American Northern Division, 9.0 games behind Oklahoma City. Round Rock is in first place in the American Southern division, 5.0 games up on second-place Memphis.

BIG INNINGS: Iowa scored four runs in the third inning and three runs in the fifth inning en route to a 7-2 win at Round Rock Thursday night. Iowa out-hit Round Rock 12-8, and starter Carlos Pimentel didn't allow a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning. Pimentel allowed two runs, one earned, in 6.1 innings to pick up his fifth win. Four I-Cubs had multi-hit nights, led by Rafael Lopez's three hits. Christian Villaneva and Adron Chambers each added a pair of RBI in the win.

TIGHTENING IT UP: Iowa has played sound defense over the past 11 games, committing just two errors in that time. The I-Cubs have not committed an error in five straight games for the second time this season. Despite the relatively clean sheet, Iowa's 64 errors are still the third-most in the PCL. Iowa is also tied for second-to-last in the PCL in fielding percentage (.974). Iowa is 23-7 when committing zero errors, but 12-24 when making at least one. Christian Villanueva leads the PCL with 16 errors in 50 games. Iowa has committed 3+ errors in a game eight times this season. 

GOTTA EARN IT: The I-Cubs lead the PCL in unearned runs allowed this season. Iowa has allowed 305 total runs, but only 251 have been earned. That's a difference of 54 unearned runs. Iowa has been outscored by opponents 305-300 so far this season, yet are still four games above .500. 

GET ON AND GET IN: Arismendy Alcantara has reached base in 45 of 54 games he has appeared in this season. He leads the I-Cubs with 40 runs scored this year, good for 13th in the league. 

JOHNNY ON THE SPOT: John Andreoli is currently on a six game hitting streak. He is 11-for-22 in that time to raise his season batting average to .316, good for 11th in the PCL. His .412 OBP is also now fifth in the league.

vs. ROUND ROCK: This is the second game of a four-game series between the I-Cubs and the Express, and the second of 16 scheduled games between the two teams this season. Round Rock travels to Principal Park in Des Moines June 30-July 3, then again July 20-23. Iowa heads back to Dell Diamond September 4-7 to close out the season. Iowa went 9-7 against the E-Train last season, gong 4-4 at Principal Park and 5-3 in Round Rock. Iowa is 1-0 against Round Rock this season. The Express lead the all-time PCL series 82-79. Iowa leads the all-time PCL series against Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliates 127-111. The Express have been affiliated with the Rangers since 2011.

HOMER HAPPY JUNE: Iowa has hit 19 home runs so far in 17 June games. The team hit 21 homers in 29 May contests, and 13 homers in 20 April games. Overall, Iowa has hit 53 home runs, led by Arismendy Alcantara's 10. 

SPEED DEMONS: The I-Cubs are second in the PCL in stolen bases this season with 76. John Andreoli is third in the league with 18 swipes. Matt Szczur is eighth with 14 steals. He has four steals in the last three games. Arismendy Alcantara is 13th with 11 steals. Iowa is also third in the league with 22 triples. Alcantara leads the PCL with seven triples, a year after leading the PCL with 11. Rubi Silva's four are tied for third in the league. 

SWISS ARMY KNIVES: Three Iowa players have appeared at four or more positions this season. Jonathan Mota has been the most versitile, appearing in 21 games at shortstop, 14 games at first base, seven games at third base, six games in right field, five games at third base and two games in left field. Arismendy Alcantara has appeared in 31 games at second base, 11 games in center field, six games in left field, six games at third base and two games at shortstop. Finally, Chris Valaika has appeared in 20 games at shortstop, 16 games at second, 15 games at first, and 11 games at third.

TURNING TWO: The I-Cubs have turned 74 double plays this season, fourth-most in the PCL. Meanwhile, Iowa has grounded into 47 double plays, tied for second-fewest in the league. Christian Villanueva and Chris Valaika have each grounded into seven double plays.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Today is Christian Villanueva's 24th birthday. He was born on this day in 1991.