Aug. 16 Game Notes - Iowa at Memphis

Iowa Cubs (66-56) @ Memphis Redbirds (56-66)
Friday, Aug. 16 • 7:05 PM • AutoZone Park • Memphis, TN
RHP Tyson Miller (2-2, 8.46) vs. RHP Jake Woodford (7-7, 4.15)

TONIGHT'S GAME: The I-Cubs were shut out for just the seventh time this season last night as they only registered three hits. The I-Cubs will look to get the offense going in game two of the four-game set tonight as they face righty Jake Woodford for the second time this season.
WEARING THE COLLAR: Seven Iowa hitters were held hitless last night and only five men reached base. P.J. Higgins recorded two of Iowa's three hits on the night, joined by Donnie Dewees who led off the game with an 11-pitch at-bat ending in a single. Ben Zobrist, Robel Garcia, and Trent Giambrone each drew a walk to get on base, but that was all the I-Cubs offense could create against Daniel Ponce de Leon. 
A BRIGHT SPOT: Although the I-Cubs were shutout last night in the series opener at Memphis, Wyatt Short had a positive outing. In just his second appearance with Iowa since being assigned to Iowa on August 11 from Tennessee, Short spun a scoreless 1.1 innings of relief. He allowed just one hit and struck out three to keep the Redbirds lead at five in the late innings. In two games with Iowa, the lefty has spun 3.0 shutout innings, surrendering one hit and one free pass while fanning four. 
EVENLY MATCHED UP: In each of the first two series between Iowa and Memphis, the I-Cubs took three of four games from the Redbirds. Six of those first eight games between the two teams were decided by just one run. Memphis pitching struck out 10 batters and shutout Iowa's offense, allowing just three hits. Iowa still leads the season series six games to three, but the score differential is down to just three runs (49-46).
A SECOND CHANCE: Tyson Miller is in line to make his second start against the Redbirds, his first coming back on July 5. This was his Triple-A debut, and for Miller, it did not go as planned. The righty only went 1.1 innings, surrendering six runs (five earned) on three hits, including one home run. Miller walked three and struck out three as well, tossing 30 of his 55 pitches for strikes. He has had trouble with the strike zone, walking at least one batter in all seven of his outings with Iowa this year, including five walks to Salt Lake last time out. 
SAVING THE DAY: Danny Hultzen has posted a 1.32 ERA (2ER/13.2IP) in 13 games with Iowa this season. The lefty reliever has allowed four hits, walked eight, and struck out 22 batters, good for an opponent batting average of just .091. He is having his best season since his first professional season in 2012 with Double-A Jackson, when he posted a 1.19 ERA over 13 starts for the Generals. After recording two saves over the last four game series against Salt Lake, Hultzen is also now a perfect 3-3 in save opportunities. He has yet to allow a long-ball this season and struck out at least one batter in each of his 13 appearances so far, including two strikeouts in each of his last five games.
AGAINST MEMPHIS: With a shutout victory last night, Memphis closed Iowa's lead in the division to 10 games, while keeping their elimination number to nine games. The two teams still have seven head-to-head games remaining this season. Phillip Evans is batting .290 (9-for-31) with six RBI in the match up, while Rangel Ravelo is 7-for-15 (.467) with three home runs and six RBI. 
ROSTER ROTATION: The I-Cubs added utility man Ben Zobrist to their active roster last night. Zobrist is on Major League Rehab with Iowa after being put on the restricted list May 8. The switch hitter started his rehab on August 2 and played three games with South Bend before moving to Myrtle Beach on August 8 for three games. In his first game with Iowa last night batting in the two-hole, he went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Zobrist has played either second base or designated hitter in each start so far in his rehab, playing second last night for Iowa. Reliever James Norwood also got called up to Chicago after allowing just four hits in his last 5.2 innings with Iowa.  
SHORT HOPS: Memphis recorded five extra base hits last night, including two home runs while the I-Cubs were held to just three hits, none for extra bases, only moving a runner to third base once in the game. It was the sixth time this season that Iowa was held without an extra-base knock...Addison Russell lost his four game hitting streak and three game home run streak after going 0-4 with a strikeout last night...Trevor Clifton holds a 4.0 ERA (4ER/9.0IP) in three relief appearances this season.