Aug. 19 Game Notes - Iowa vs. San Antonio

Iowa Cubs (66-59) @ San Antonio Missions (74-51)
Monday Aug. 19 • 7:08 PM • Principal Park Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Colin Rea (12-3, 3.50) vs. RHP Trey Supak (1-1, 9.50)

TONIGHT'S GAME: Iowa returns to Principal Park to face the San Antonio Missions after suffering a four-game sweep in Memphis. The I-Cubs were swept for the fourth time this season and for the first time in a road series. The other sweeps came in four games by Omaha and a pair of three-game sets against El Paso and Round Rock. PCL All-Star Colin Rea draws the start against San Antonio to try and end the four-game skid
STREAK ATTACK: The I-Cubs' current four-game losing streak came on the heels of Iowa's fourth winning streak of four or more games after a sweep of Salt Lake. Memphis snapped two of these hot streaks, including ending the season-high eight-game stretch in early May. The I-Cubs had their second-longest winning streak of five games broken by San Antonio on June 30.
THE BIG ONE: The I-Cubs surrendered another big inning during the sixth frame of Sunday's game. The Redbirds were able to score five runs in the frame, and the 14-2 decision dropped Iowa's record to 3-22 when allowing four or more runs in a single frame. The inning marked the third time in 16 August games allowing the big inning, while July saw 10 big innings in 26 games.
NASTY NORWOOD: James Norwood was dominant in his 1.1-inning outing on Sunday. He struck out all four batters he faced and stranded a runner on base. The appearance marked the fourth time this season with four or more strikeouts and he has now stranded 16 of the 17 runners he has inherited.
ROAD WOES: After holding 29-13 pace in road games during the first three months of the season, the I-Cubs have struggled in opposing ballparks in July and August, combining for a 10-14 record. July's 7-8 record was Iowa's first month this season with a losing record on the road, and with one more road series remaining, another road loss will push the I-Cubs' August road record below .500 for good. Despite their recent struggles, the I-Cubs still rank third in road wins in the league with 38 and lead the PCL in road ERA with a 4.45 mark.
REA TIME: After getting just one start longer than 5.0 frames in the last series, the I-Cubs turn to their ace, Colin Rea, to eat up some innings on Monday. Rea has gone 6.0 innings or longer in 11 of his 23 starts this season, while going fewer than 5.0 just three times. The righty has been dominant in his last three starts, spinning a 1.93 ERA (4ER/18.2IP) with a pair of quality starts. Rea currently leads the PCL with a 3.50 ERA and 12 wins.
AGAINST SAN ANTONIO: Iowa and San Antonio have been nearly deadlocked this season, with a 3-1 series victory at Principal Park in May as the main difference in a 7-5 edge thus far for the I-Cubs. The matchup features two of the top three ERA clubs in the PCL. San Antonio pitching holds a 3.74, besting the I-Cubs 4.13 mark, but Iowa bats have hit .260 compared to a .218 by the Missions. San Antonio has a 16-9 lead in home runs, but the I-Cubs have countered by outscoring the Missions 54-49 in 12 games this season. Trent Giambrone has been the most effective I-Cub against the Missions, blasting three doubles and three home runs in 12 games, while driving in 10 RBI.
UPS AND DOWNS: Albert Almora and Daniel Descalso became the 26th and 27th players to suit up for both Iowa and Chicago this season. Iowa has seen a surplus of Major League rehab assignments, seeing pitchers Tony Barnette, Xavier Cedeño, Cole Hamels, Carl Edwards Jr., Mike Montgomery and Pedro Strop, and position players Addison Russell, Victor Caratini, Ben Zobrist and Descalso.
SHORT HOPS: Taylor Davis (6) and Phillip Evans (4) are both on season-long hitless streaks...Iowa has four players on its roster that were on Chicago's Opening Day squad -- Albert Almora, Randy Rosario, Ben Zobrist (MLR) and Daniel Descalso (MLR)...Iowa's .255 team batting average on the year ranks last in the PCL.