I-Cubs Record One Hit, Lose Opener

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (9-9) got just one hit, falling to the Indianapolis Indians (10-8) by a score of 4-0, Tuesday at Principal Park.

Indy started the scoring in the first, when Mason Martin tripled to score Hoy Park. They added to their lead in the fourth on an RBI single from Taylor Davis. Adrian Sampson would allow just the two runs, surrendering six total hits while striking out five over his 3.2 innings.

Sampson was relieved by Conner Menez, who kept the Indians at two runs, tossing 2.1 perfect frames. The lefty struck out four batters along the way. Osvaldo Bido, Cam Vieaux and Eric Handhold kept Iowa hitless through eight innings, combining to walk eight hitters while striking out seven.

Indianapolis added to their lead in the eighth when Travis Swaggerty drew Indy’s fourth consecutive walk to bring in a run, followed by a sacrifice fly from Davis. Yerry De Los Santos entered the ninth with Indy up 4-0 and closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning.

De Los Santos could not complete the second no-hitter of the year for Indianapolis, allowing a one-out single to P.J. Higgins, but did strike out two batters in the final frame.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• Conner Menez lowered his ERA to 1.69 tonight with 2.1 perfect innings. He struck out four batters over that span.

• Iowa’s bullpen threw 5.1 innings tonight, allowing just two hits. They did allow two runs, walking four batters and striking out seven.

• The I-Cubs got their first and only hit in the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, when P.J. Higgins singled off of Yerry De Los Santos.

Iowa and Indianapolis are set to play game two of the six-game series tomorrow afternoon at Principal Park, with first pitch set for 12:08 pm. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.