Iowa Takes 3-1 Series Lead Behind Strong Pitching

LOUISVILLE, KY – The Iowa Cubs (33-36) used two big innings to beat the Louisville Bats (25-44) by a score of 9-3, Friday at Louisville Slugger Field.

For the first time this series, Iowa got out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning on a double from Jackson Frazier. Louisville got a run back in the second inning on a solo home run by Stuart Fairchild, but that is all they would score against Wyatt Short.

In just his third career start, Short spun four innings of one-run ball, allowing just the solo blast. The offense brought Iowa’s lead back to two in the third on an RBI ground out by Narciso Crook.

The game stayed at 3-1 until the sixth, when Iowa added three more runs highlighted by an RBI double from Greg Deichmann. Another three-run frame in the seventh brought the lead to 9-1 for the I-Cubs.

With the eight-run lead, Iowa’s bullpen went to work, getting two scoreless innings from each Eury Ramos and Bryan Hudson. Ramos allowed a hit and a walk and struck out two, while Hudson spun two perfect innings with three strikeouts along the way.

Louisville scored two against Cayne Ueckert in the ninth, but he would record the final three outs to earn Iowa their third win of the series by a score of 9-3.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• All but one starter in Iowa’s lineup got a hit, while four players had multi-hit games. Both Darius Hill and Narciso Crook had three-hit games.

• In his third career start, Wyatt Short threw four innings of one-run ball. He surrendered four hits while walking one and striking out three.

• The I-Cubs scored nine runs on 14 hits and three walks. 12 of their 14 hits were singles, using just two doubles to score their nine runs.

Iowa and Louisville will play game five of their six-game set tomorrow, with first pitch set for 6:05 CT at Louisville Slugger Field. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.