Iowa splits Tuesday twin bill with Fresno

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Cubs (72-58) split a doubleheader with the Fresno Grizzlies (79-51) on Tuesday at Principal Park. Iowa edged past Fresno 3-2 in game one, but fell 7-3 in game two. Fresno clinched a playoff spot with its win in the nightcap.

 

Iowa took game one behind solid pitching. Left-hander Ryan Buchter (1-0) spun 1.2 scoreless innings and earned the win for the I-Cubs in relief of spot starter Drake Britton.

 

Britton allowed two runs on five hits over 4.1 innings with a walk and three strikeouts. Righty Brian Schlitter tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his PCL-leading 21st save.

 

Fresno right-hander Asher Wojciechowski suffered a complete-game loss for the Grizzlies in game one. He allowed three earned runs, including one home run and four walks with two strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

 

Mike Baxter led Iowa offensively, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI to spark the offense in the day game.

 

In game two, the Grizzlies jumped out to quick start. On the second pitch of the game, Tony Kemp clubbed a home run and Fresno wouldn't look back from that point on. The Grizzlies added on runs in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

 

Javy Baez got Iowa on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third when he hit an RBI single to left field. Christian Villanueva also poked an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, but it wouldn't be enough for Iowa.

 

Fresno righty Mark Appel (3-2) started on the mound for the Grizzlies and earned the game-two win. He allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

 

Right-hander Felipe Paulino suffered the loss in game two for Iowa. He allowed six runs, four earned, on seven hits and five walks with two strikeouts.

 

Overall, Baez went a combined 2-for-7 with a hit in each game, extending his hitting streak to a season-high 11 games.

 

Jon Singleton and Kemp paced Fresno overall offensively on the day. They both had two hits apiece in game two.

 

The I-Cubs and Grizzlies complete their four-game series Wednesday evening with a first pitch is set for 6:38 p.m. CT at Principal Park. Right-hander Carlos Pimentel (11-5, 2.98) is scheduled to start for Iowa opposite Fresno lefty Brett Oberholtzer (7-3, 4.12). 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 at 6:10 p.m. CT.