Almora Jr. Clubs Three Hits, but Iowa Falls 7-1

METAIRIE, LA - The New Orleans Zephyrs (47-54) took advantage of seven walks to take a 7-1 victory over the Iowa Cubs (45-60), Thursday at Zephyr Field. Trevor Cahill (0-2) was tagged with the loss in his third rehab start with Iowa while Dylan Axelrod (7-5) claimed the win. 

Albert Almora Jr. has hit safely in all four games with the I-Cubs since returning from Chicago. He legged out two doubles, going 3-for-5 overall.

Cahill struggled to find his command early as he walked three in the first inning, including one with bases loaded to plate a run. The righty was able to limit the damage from four hits and four walks to three runs - two of them earned - over 3.2 innings. Destin Hood was a part of the destruction, blasting a solo shot in the third inning. 

Trailing 3-0 Iowa was prepared to strike as it loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but the I-Cubs continued to struggle with full bags and were unable to take advantage of the base runners. 

In the next frame, Mark Zagunis helped Iowa avoid the shutout with an opposite-field homer, his sixth of the season. It would be the only run Iowa would plate on the night. 

New Orleans came out swinging in the seventh and more than doubled its lead. Cole Figueroa knocked in two with a triple and scored on a single from Pedro Ciriaco. Robert Andino capped the scoring drive with another RBI single, putting the Zephyrs ahead 7-1 for good. 

Iowa and New Orleans play the series finale at 7 p.m. CT tomorrow at Zephyr Field. Listen live on AM 940 or at www.iowacubs.com.