Bisons drop series opener to Iowa Cubs

BUFFALO, NY - A big five-run top of the third inning was all the Iowa Cubs would need in their 8-2 victory over the Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday evening at Sahlen Field.

The I-Cubs struck first in the top of the second inning. Jake Slaughter drove in the game’s first run with a two-out single that scored David Peralta. The run gave Iowa a 1-0 lead. They would extend the advantage to 6-0 thanks to a pair of home runs in the top of the third. Brennen Davis belted a three-run homer, and it was followed by a two-run shot by Slaughter.

The Cubs added two more runs in the top of the fourth to balloon their lead to 8-2. However, the Bisons would start to trim the deficit in the bottom of the inning. Damiano Palmegiani started the rally with a lead-off base hit and was followed one batter later by Will Robertson’s fifth home run of the season. The designated hitter’s two-run shot trimmed the Bisons deficit to 8-2.

The Bisons bullpen took over for Alek Manoah after his Major League injury rehab start lasted three innings for Buffalo. Nick Fraze worked 2.1 innings and was replaced by Troy Watson in the top of the sixth. Troy Watson worked 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, followed by a scoreless top of the ninth inning worked by Connor Cooke.

Spencer Horwitz continued to add to his impressive on-base percentage with a base hit and two walks in the loss. The first baseman is also now batting .352, which is among the top 10 hitters in the International League.

The two teams are scheduled to meet for a doubleheader on Thursday starting at 4:35 p.m. Paolo Espino is slated to start game one for Buffalo, with fellow righty Paxton Shultz scheduled to throw in game two.