June 22 Game Notes vs. Colorado Springs

Iowa Cubs (25-45) vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox (38-32) 
Friday, June 22 • 7:08 p.m. CT • Principal Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Trevor Clifton (0-0, 2.79) vs. RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 2.57)

TONIGHT'S GAME: The I-Cubs will look to break a seven-game losing streak in the second game of a four-game series with Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Principal Park. The Iowa Cubs will send RHP Trevor Clifton (0-0, 2.79) to square off against RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 2.57). 
CLIMBING OUT OF THE HOLE:Mark Zagunis tallied his third consecutive multi-hit performance in Thursday's loss to Colorado Springs. Zagunis' batting average dipped to .243 at the beginning of the Tacoma series but over his last 10, Zagunis is batting .294 (10-for-34).
FRESH FACE: Zach Hedges has been reinstated, logging his fourth stint with Iowa. In two starts in five games with the I-Cubs in 2018, the righty owns an 8.10 ERA (15ER/16.2IP), five walks and seven strikeouts. 
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS: The I-Cubs have had a rough June and are riding a seven-game losing streak while holding a 4-14 record during the month. Pitching has continued to struggle for the I-Cubs as the team posts a 6.08 ERA through 18 games. The power numbers have also been down with the team recording a .356 slugging percentage, which ranks second-to-last in the PCL. The team also has the worst overall record in the PCL by a wide margin and their .357 winning percentage is .060 points lower than the next best team. 
SEVEN STREAK: Taylor Davis extended his hitting streak to seven last night with a single in the bottom of the ninth. His longest is nine consecutive from April 23-May 2, going 15-for-36 (.417). He owns the best overall average of qualifying hitters (100ABs) with a .291 (51H/175AB) and ranks in the top three in OBP (.369) and OPS (.734). Behind the backstop was a different story, as Colorado Springs was a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts last night. 
AGAINST COLORADO SPRINGS: This is the first time this season the I-Cubs will welcome Colorado Springs to Principal Park in 2018. In six games between the two teams thus far, Sky Sox batters have rocked Iowa pitching for a 7.27 ERA. Their running game has been even stronger, going 17-for-18 on the bases. Iowa has yet to hit a homer in the matchup, getting held without a longball through five games in Colorado Springs for the first time since at least 2005. 
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: After going 1-6 on the previous road trip, the I-Cubs are back at Principal Park. The I-Cubs pitchers have accumulated a 5.41 ERA on the road as opposed to a 3.79 ERA while pitching at home. There are seven current Cub pitchers whose ERA dips under 4.00 when pitching at home compared, to only four while pitching on the road.
IN THE "L" COLUMN: Iowa is tied for the fewest wins in franchise history at the 70-game mark with 25. The I-Cubs have an even record with the 1981 squad. Iowa has lost seven in a row for the second time in 2018, the first coming as part of an eight-game losing streak April 21-29.
ZEROS: Iowa is still waiting to be on the winning side of a shutout, going 0-6 after last night's 5-0 loss. The I-Cubs are one of four PCL teams that have not been on the winning end of a shutout this season. The others are Albuquerque (0-7), Reno (0-2) and Round Rock (0-1). Memphis leads the league, having played in 13 shutout contests this season. The Redbirds are 7-5 in these games. 
SHORT HOPS: Iowa took just three free passes on the game, compared to eight whiffs...two of them came from Mark Zagunis...the I-Cubs hit into three double plays last night, bringing their season total up to 53, while turning 58 against opponents...Iowa owns a winning record when allowing just two earned runs (6-1), and scoring six runs (6-2).