Cubs Can't Solve Sounds Pitching

Nashville, TN - Four Nashville pitchers combined to hold the Iowa Cubs (15-12) to three hits in the Sounds' (17-12) 3-1 victory at Greer Stadium tonight. The Sounds have won five straight games and lead this series 2-0. The Cubs have dropped three straight after reeling off a seven-game winning streak. The season series is tied 3-3.

RH Johnnie Lowe started for the Sounds and allowed one hit and one walk while striking out six in four shutout innings. It was his first start of the season, filling in for an injured Hiram Burgos in the Sounds' rotation. LH Brian Leach (2-0) followed with three shutout innings of his own and was credited with the win. He allowed one hit and struck out four. The Cubs scored their only run against RH Jeremy Jeffress in the eighth inning. Jeffress walked two and gave up a pinch-hit, RBI single to Lars Anderson. RH Dustin Molleken finished off the game with two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

Cubs' starter Kyle Hendricks (3-2) was charged with three runs on five hits in 5.1 innings and suffered the loss. He walked two and struck out eight. The Sounds struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Elian Herrera hit a slow ground ball to shortstop. Javy Baez laid back on the ball, allowing Herrera to beat this throw for an infield hit. Eugenio Velez followed with a base hit, both men advanced on a groundout, and Herrera scored on a wild pitch.

The Sounds added their final two runs in the sixth inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Hunter Morris lined an RBI single to right field that chased Hendricks from the game. LH Zac Rosscup came in and gave up an RBI double to Jeremy Hermida that banged off the wall in left field. Rosscup would navigate through the rest of the inning and struck out out pinch-hitter Sean Halton on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded to end the rally. Rosscup also pitched the seventh and RH Alberto Cabrera set down the Sounds in order in the eighth.

The Cubs and Sounds continue this series tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 PM at Greer Stadium. LH Eric Jokisch (2-1, 3.48) will start for the Cubs against RH Ariel Pena (0-2, 5.29) for the Sounds. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940, and streamed live at iowacubs.com, with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 1:45.