Iowa Cubs (11-7) vs Nashville Sounds (5-13)Wednesday, April 24 • 6:38 p.m. • Principal ParkRHP Matt Swarmer (1-2, 6.00) vs. RHP Phillips Valdez (0-1, 2.08)
Iowa Cubs (11-7) vs Nashville Sounds (5-13)
Wednesday, April 24 • 6:38 p.m. • Principal Park
RHP Matt Swarmer (1-2, 6.00) vs. RHP Phillips Valdez (0-1, 2.08)
TONIGHT'S GAME: Iowa begins its nine-game homestand with the first of a five-game set against Nashville. In eight games at Principal Park last season, the I-Cubs and Sounds split the series evenly, each winning four. First pitch is slated for 6:38 tonight at Principal Park.
BRING IT BACK: RHP Matt Swarmer recorded his only win of the season in his first start against Nashville. He went five innings allowing just three runs on three hits while striking out three. After losing his last two decisions, the righty will look to get back in the win column tonight against the Sounds.
BLAST FROM THE PAST: After not hitting a home run since June 20 last season, Jim Adduci has now hit one in back-to-back games. Adduci crushed a grand slam against Oklahoma City Sunday, the first for an I-Cub since Chris Gimenez on Aug. 5, 2018. He backed that up by hitting a two-run shot on Monday. Adduci is also riding out a four-game hit streak, his longest mark of the season.
BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL:Dixon Machado has had a fantastic start to the year. The shortstop has shown the ability to field just about anything hit his way, but the focus has been more on his bat. Machado leads the team with his .353 batting average and has muscled three home runs on the young season after hitting two in all of 2018. Machado's career high is six, set in 2014 between Advanced-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie. He has also recorded a hit in each of his last five games, his second such streak of 2019. Machado is tied for second in the league in PCL in OBP (.500) and is second in walks (14).
AGAINST NASHVILLE: Iowa and Nashville will meet at Principal Park for the first time in 2019. The I-Cubs took four of five games from the Sounds at First Tennessee Park to begin the season.
RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE: Iowa's 11 April victories are its most in the month since going 14-9 in 2014. In the team's PCL history, Iowa has recorded 11+ wins in April 10 times.
ROSTER ROTATION: The Iowa Cubs added infielder Addison Russell to the roster on a Major League Rehab Assignment. Russell played in 11 games for Iowa in 2015 prior to his MLB debut with Chicago and hit.318 (14-for-44) with nine RBI. He also played one rehab game for the I-Cubs in 2018. OF Zach Borenstein was also released.
BACK IN A BIG WAY: Monday marked the first game back for infielder Cristhian Adames since being placed on the injured list on April 10. He made his presence felt in the lineup going 2-for-4, hitting a solo shot in the seventh inning for his first home run of the year.
SAVE THE DAY:Dakota Mekkes notched his team-leading third save of the season Sunday. It was Iowa's first save since April 14. With six saves on the season, the I-Cubs are still tied for the PCL lead with New Orleans in this category.
SHORT HOPS: Brian Duensing has given up an earned run in three straight outings...Iowa has scored 19 runs in the third inning this year, but allowed 18 in the fourth...Dakota Mekkes has given up an earned run in three straight outings for the first time in his career.
