Iowa Cubs (24-33) vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers (30-24)Game 1: RHP Dylan Floro (2-1, 4.01) vs. RHP Jair Jurrjens (4-2, 4.13)Game 2: RHP Casey Kelly (2-1, 6.50) vs. RHP Chris Heston (2-2, 3.89)12:08 / 7:08 | Principal Park | Des Moines
Iowa Cubs (24-33) vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers (30-24)
Game 1: RHP Dylan Floro (2-1, 4.01) vs. RHP Jair Jurrjens (4-2, 4.13)
Game 2: RHP Casey Kelly (2-1, 6.50) vs. RHP Chris Heston (2-2, 3.89)
12:08 / 7:08 | Principal Park | Des Moines
TODAY'S GAME: Iowa and Oklahoma City play the third game of a five-game series, and the first game of a day-night double header. Oklahoma City took the first two games of the series and has won its last four games against the I-Cubs, dating back to the opening series of the season in April.
MAKING A SPLASH:Jacob Hannemann made quite the mpact in his second game with the Iowa Cubs. After a one-hit debut Monday, Hannemann followed up with a 2-for-4 performance Tuesday, driving in three of the I-Cubs' five runs. Hannemann hit an RBI double and single before driving in a run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. The 26-year-old lefty outfielder will try to continue his early success with the I-Cubs after posting a .192 (25-for-130) average in 36 games with Double-A Tennessee this season.
STEADY AS A ROCK:Zac Rosscup one of Iowa's most reliable arms out of the bullpen. The veteran lefty was outstanding again last night, throwing 2.0 shutout innings, while allowing just two hits and striking out one. In his last four outings, Rosscup has thrown 6.2 flawless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while whiffing seven. For the season, he is 2-1 in 22.1 innings and has allowed just six earned runs and struck out 32.
WHERE'S THE DEFENSE?: Iowa committed two costly errors again last night, making it the sixth straight game in which they have committed an error. Chris Dominguez let a sharp ground ball get by him in the sixth inning, allowing two unearned runs to score as part of a three-run inning for starter Aaron Brooks. Pierce Johnson also committed an error on a pick-off attempt, resulting in more runs. The I-Cubs are 11-23 when committing an error this season and 13-10 when they play flawless defense.
WELCOME TO IOWA: Andury Acevedo was added to Iowa's roster yesterday from Double-A Tennessee. The right-handed pitcher has not allowed an earned run in 15 innings this season, while boasting a 16.1 scoreless streak dating back to 2016. The 26-year-old is a converted infielder, taking to the mound in 2012 after four professional years as a position player. Acevedo was signed by the Cubs to a minor league deal on November 18, 2016 and re-signed a one-year deal this off-season.
STRUGGLES AT HOME: The I-Cubs have had a hard time at Principal Park this season. They are 10-18 at home, while holding a close to .500 record on the road at 14-15. The bats have been relatively absent in most home games, as the I-Cubs have been outscored 126-148 at Principal Park this season.
AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY: The I-Cubs and the Dodgers are meeting for the second time this season. Iowa took the opening series 3-2, despite being outscored by 10 runs. Last season, Iowa won the season series 9-7, recording a 3-5 record at Principal Park and a 6-2 record at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
ON-BASE MACHINE: Mark Zagunis has been finding a way to get on base all season, despite struggling to hit consistently. The outfielder has just four hits in his last eight games, going 4-for-21 in those games. Despite that, Zagunis leads the league in walks at 38, and has an on-base percentage of .398. Zagunis' patience at the plate has paid off as he has walked in each of his last three games and 10 times in his last 12 games.
WHERE YOU'D LEAST EXPECT: While Elliot Soto and Bijan Rademacher have been solid defensive players for Iowa this year though both have struggled at the plate. The combination of the left fielder and shortstop in the seven and eight spots in the lineup last night provided five of Iowa's 11 hits. The two combined to go 5-for-6 with a double, a walk and four runs scored. Rademacher's three hits were his most since August 2, 2016 while with Double-A Tennessee.
STRUGGLING TO REGAIN FORM: With a flurry of transactions in May, many I-Cubs got a taste of the big leagues. After short stints in the majors, many players have struggled to find their rhythm when returning to Iowa. Jeimer Candelario served a brief stint in Chicago in early May, he was hitting .340 before his call-up and is now hitting .284. Félix Peña and Pierce Johnson also received call-ups, but have struggled since returning. Johnson owned a 3.21 ERA, but has since seen it balloon to 6.00. Pena owned a 1.86 ERA before his MLB season debut, but has been hit hard in 6.2 innings since, allowing 14 earned runs to boost his ERA 8.82.
EATING INNINGS: Aaron Brooks notched a quality start last night, his third of the season and second in as many starts. Iowa starters have 14 quality starts on the year but with the loss last night, fell to a 6-8 record in these games. The I-Cubs are 7-11 when the starter spins six or more innings and just 4-8 in those games at home.
SHORT HOPS: Last night, Iowa dropped to just 1-4 in extra-inning games this season…Righty Aaron Brooks pitched his second straight quality start last night, going 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, only one of which was earned…The I-Cubs rallied from two separate deficits last night, but couldn't pull off the comeback. Iowa dropped to 21-15 when scoring first this season.
