Game Notes - 8.9.17

Iowa Cubs (54-59) vs. Sacramento River Cats (49-66)
RHP Aaron Brooks (6-9, 6.10) vs. RHP Casey Kelly (5-3, 4.69)
Wednesday, August 9 | 7:08 p.m. | Principal Park | Des Moines

TODAY'S GAME: Iowa and Sacramento square off in game three of a four-game series at Principal Park. The I-Cubs won 6-5 in 11 innings last night, the second night in a row that Iowa and Sacramento played 11 innings. Iowa has won four of its last five games, and with a win today will be just four games under .500. The I-Cubs have not been that close to .500 since they were 22-26 following a win on May 27 at Memphis.  
EXTRA INNINGS WIN AT HOME: The I-Cubs won just their second extra inning game of the season last night, and first at Principal Park. The team's previous extra inning win this season came on May 16 at Las Vegas, winning 8-7 in 10 innings. Before last night, the last time Iowa won an extra inning game at home was May 28, 2016 vs. Albuquerque, winning 4-3 in 11 innings. Iowa is now 2-8 in extra inning games this season, tied for the fewest wins in extras with Fresno, while owning the lowest winning percentage in extra inning games (.200).
WALK IT OFF: John Andreoli doubled to left-center field in the bottom of the 11th inning last night, scoring Chesny Young from first base to give the I-Cubs a 6-5 win. It was Iowa's first walk-off win of the season, and first since May 28, 2016, also the last time Iowa won a home game in extra innings. In that game, Juan Perez singled in Matt Murton to give the I-Cubs a 4-3 victory in 11 innings. John Andreoli happened to homer in the third inning of that game.
BACK-TO-BACK EXTRAS: The I-Cubs and River Cats have now played in back-to-back extra inning games to open their series. For Iowa, it's the first time they have played in consecutive games that have gone into extras since June 27, 2016 at Oklahoma City, with both games of a doubleheader going into extras (L 10-9 F/9; W 3-2 F/8). It's the first time Iowa has played in back-to-back games that have exceeded nine innings since July 11 and 15, 2010. In those games, Iowa defeated New Orleans 2-1 in 10 innings at Principal Park to close out the first half, and lost to Oklahoma City 7-6 in 10 innings on the road in the first game following the All-Star break.
CATCHERS WHO RAKE: Catcher Taylor Davis went 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI last night, his fourth straight game with multiple hits and his third straight with multiple RBI. He's the first I-Cub with three straight multi-RBI games since fellow catcher Willson Contreras did it in four straight from May 30-June 3 last season. Davis is batting .474 (9-for-19) with four doubles and eight RBI over his last four games, raising his batting average to over .300 for the first time since May 28.
AGAINST SACRAMENTO: The I-Cubs and River Cats meet for a four-game set, the only series between the clubs in 2017. Last season, Iowa took three out of four from Sacramento on August 16-19 at Raley Field, winning the first three games of the series and dropping the finale. The I-Cubs and River Cats both scored 18 runs in that series, participating in two one-run games. Last time the teams met in Des Moines was August 27-30, 2015, with the I-Cubs sweeping the River Cats in four games. 
I'LL TAKE A DOZEN K'S, HOLD THE WALKS: Last night, Iowa pitchers Rob Zastryzny (5.0 IP, 4K), Felix Peña (2.2 IP, 5K), Jack Leathersich (0.1 IP), Dillon Maples (2.0 IP, 2K) and Pierce Johnson (1.0 IP, K) combined for 12 strikeouts and no walks. For Iowa, 12 strikeouts as a staff are tied for most in a game while walking none. It previously happened on May 21 vs. Tacoma, when pitchers Aaron Brooks (6.2 IP, 7K) and Stephen Perakslis (2.1 IP, 5K) combined for no walks and 12 strikeouts in an 8-7 Iowa loss.
ONE-RUN LEADER: Iowa played in its 39th one-run game of the season last night, improving to 23-16 (.590) in those games. Its winning percentage is fifth-best in the PCL. The 39 one-run contests are most in the PCL, with Sacramento's 37 (18-19, .486) coming in at second. The last time the I-Cubs led the league in one-run games was 2012, when they played in 54 one-run games and went 22-32 (.407).
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED: Sacramento scored three runs in the top of the first on Tuesday night, with Iowa storming back to win the game 6-5. It marks the first time the I-Cubs surrendered multiple runs to their opponent in the first inning and still won since August 13, 2016 at Fresno, with the I-Cubs giving up two in the first but winning the game 9-5. Last night was the first time Iowa gave up three or more runs in the first and still won since May 28, 2016 vs. Albuquerque - also the last I-Cubs walk-off win and extra innings home win before last night.
SHORT HOPS: Pierce Johnson got his first win since May 14 at Salt Lake...John Andreoli's walk-off was his first for Iowa this season, but he hit a walk-off single on March 9, 2017 in the World Baseball Classic, giving Italy a 10-9 win over Mexico...Mike Freeman went 2-for-5, hitting safely in his first two games as an I-Cub...Mark Zagunis is 5-for-9 with four runs, a double, four walks and one strikeout in his last three games...Jack Leathersich has thrown 10 straight scoreless appearances...Iowa played in its first errorless game since July 28 at El Paso.