Game Notes for Wednesday, July 1

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 Principal Park. Iowa is third in the American Northern Division, 10.0 games behind Oklahoma City. Round Rock is in first place in the American Southern Division. Iowa enters tonight's game with a 1-7 record on Wednesday this season.

LAST TIME OUT: Iowa took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning but surrendered four runs in the final few innings to fall 6-4 to Round Rock Tuesday night. Righty Dallas Beeler allowed four runs, two earned, in 6.2 innings

in a no-decision. Fellow right-hander Yoervis Medina surrendered two runs in the eighth inning to suffer the loss. Iowa was out-hit by the Express 7-6, as six I-Cubs recorded one hit apiece. Iowa fell to 2-8 in two-run games, and are now 22-22 at home this season.

SPEED KINGS: The I-Cubs are second in the PCL in stolen bases this season with 85. John Andreoli is third in the league with 19 swipes. Iowa is also third in the league with 26 triples this season. Arismendy Alcantara leads the PCL with seven triples, a year after leading the league with 11. His seven three-baggers are tied for third in all of Triple-A. Alcantara's 18 career triples with Iowa are sixth in team history, just five back of the club's all-time record (23; Billy Hatcher & Chico Walker). His next triple will tie him with Brian Guinn for fifth.

GAFFES GALORE: The I-Cubs committed three errors in last night's loss for the ninth time this season. They are 2-7 when doing so. Iowa's 77 errors are the third-most in the PCL. Iowa is also 14th in the PCL in fielding percentage (.974). Christian Villanueva leads the PCL with 18 errors. Furthermore, the I-Cubs lead the PCL in unearned runs allowed this season. Iowa has allowed 348 total runs, but only 286 have been earned. That's a difference of 62 unearned runs. Iowa has been outscored 340-348 this season.

FADING POWER: Iowa hit 24 home runs in 28 June games, but have only clubbed one in the last six games. The team hit 21 homers in 29 May contests, and 13 homers in 20 April games. Overall, Iowa has hit 58 home runs. Kyle Schwarber has 14 long balls between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa to lead the Cubs' entire minor league organization.

vs. ROUND ROCK: This is the second game of a four- game series between the I-Cubs and the Express, and the sixth of 16 scheduled games between the two teams this season. Round Rock travels back to Principal Park in Des Moines 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, going 4-4 at Principal Park and 5-3 in Round Rock. Iowa is 17-20 against the Express since 2013. The teams split their first series of this season June 18-21. The Express lead the all-time PCL series 85-80. Iowa leads the all-time PCL series against Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliates 128-114. The Express have been affiliated with the Rangers since 2011.

THE STORY OF JUNE: Iowa went 15-13 in the month of June. At the start of the month, the team was second in the American Northern Division, 9.0 games back of Oklahoma City. They finish the month in third place, 10.0 games behind the Dodgers. The team sagged offensively in June, registering a .253 team batting average, .314 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage, all season-lows for a month. Rafael Lopez led the team with a .321 batting average in June (17-for-53). Christian Villanueva led the team in both homers (5) and RBI (21). Conversely, Iowa had it's best pitching month in June, compiling a 3.55 team ERA. The team's 168-to-85 strikeout to walk ratio was the best over a month this season as well. Right-hander Carlos Pimentel led the starting rotation with an 0.95 ERA (3ER/28.1IP) in five June starts. Right-hander Brian Schlitter spun 10.2 scoreless innings with three saves over eight appearances. Righty Carl Edwards Jr. had a 2.25 ERA over 12.0 innings in seven games.

SHORT HOPS: The I-Cubs have allowed 59 runs in the first inning this season, the most of any inning. ... Rubi Silva has six of Iowa's 14 outfield assists this season, and ranks third in the PCL. ... Brian Schlitter leads Iowa's bullpen with six saves in six chances. He is second on Iowa's all-time saves list with 42 and holds a 0.86 ERA (2ER/21.0IP) this season. ... Chris Valaika has grounded into eight double plays to lead the club this season.

ROYALTY: Infielder/outfielder Arismendy Alcantara was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team today. It's Alcantara's second consecutive PCL All-Star selection, and fourth All-Star honor he's earned in his career.