June 8 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs @ St. Paul Saints
IOWA CUBS (31-25) @ ST. PAUL SAINTS (34-23) Thursday, June 8, 2023 • 5:37 PM (G1) • CHS Field • St. Paul, MN GAME ONE: RHP Ben Brown (2-3, 4.18) vs. RHP Randy Dobnak (2-2, 4.89) GAME TWO: LHP Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.62) vs. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5, 7.38)
IOWA CUBS (31-25) @ ST. PAUL SAINTS (34-23)
Thursday, June 8, 2023 • 5:37 PM (G1) • CHS Field • St. Paul, MN
GAME ONE: RHP Ben Brown (2-3, 4.18) vs. RHP Randy Dobnak (2-2, 4.89)
GAME TWO: LHP Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.62) vs. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5, 7.38)
TONIGHT’S GAMES: Iowa and St. Paul will play games three and four of their seven-game series tonight, with the doubleheader expected to begin at 5:37 pm. Ben Brown will take the ball for Iowa in the first game, set to make his seventh start of his Triple-A career. Brown is 2-3 with a 4.18 ERA through his first six starts, allowing 13 earned runs on 21 hits and 17 walks. Over his 28.0 innings, the young righty has fanned 40 batters, allowing opponents to hit just .206 against him. He has been credited with a decision in each of his last five starts, going 2-3 over that span. Opposite of Brown will be righty Randy Dobnak getting the nod in game one for the Saints, making his 14th appearance (10th start) of the year for St. Paul. Dobnak is 2-2 with a 4.89 ERA in his 13 games, allowing 23 earned runs on 51 hits and 23 walks while striking out 33 over his 42.1 innings. In his lone outing against Iowa this year, the righty was tagged for four earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three in 1.2 innings. Anthony Kay will get the spot-start for Iowa in game two of the doubleheader, entering the game with an 0-0 record and a 4.62 ERA. The southpaw has been Iowa’s best reliever lately, not allowing a hit or run over his last five outings. That stretch covers 5.2 innings dating back to May 27. In those five games, he has walked three batters compared to seven strikeouts, throwing 63% of his 76 pitches for strikes. The Saints will send Simeon Woods Richardson to the mound for game two. Woods Richardson is still in search of his first win of the season, going 0-5 with a 7.38 ERA through his first nine starts this year. The righty has allowed 32 earned runs on 50 hits and 22 walks while striking out 33 batters over his 39.0 innings pitched, allowing opponents to hit .313 against him. He allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks while striking out six in his first game against Iowa this season, suffering the loss back on April 9.
MADRIGAL IS MAGICAL: Ever since making his debut with the Iowa Cubs on May 27, all Nick Madrigal has done is hit. The infielder is off to a great start in this series against St. Paul as he went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of doubles in the series opener on Tuesday night. Madrigal followed that up with another three-hit performance last night, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a double. Madrigal has played in just 10 games for Iowa and has recorded at least two hits in seven of those, which is good for a 70-percent mark. With his three hits last night, it also marked the third time that the former No. 4 overall pick has done so in his 10 games. Madrigal is now tied for second in three-hit games for Iowa. Out of the current players on Iowa’s roster Madrigal leads the team in batting average (.486), on-base percentage (.578), slugging percentage (.838), and on-base plus slugging (1.416).
RUNS ALLOWED: After last night’s 11-6 loss to St. Paul, it marked the third consecutive game in which the I-Cubs have allowed 10-plus runs in a game and the fourth time in the last five games. It’s been a rough start to the month of June with Iowa earning just one win over the first week. Iowa has given up 10-plus runs in four of the six games it has played in this month, compared to last month where it gave up 10-plus runs just three times. All of the earned runs allowed in the month of June (55) has led Iowa to have an ERA of 8.35 this month.
FOREVER YOUNG: Infielder Jared Young has had a hot bat for Iowa over the past couple of weeks mainly hitting out of the three-hole. Young continued his strong play last night against St. Paul by going 3-for-4 at the dish with a run scored and one RBI. It was the fourth time this season that Young has recorded three-hits in a game, which is tied for the team lead. Over his past 16 games, which dates to May 20, Young has hit safely in 11 of those contests. During that span, the Canadian national has totaled a batting average of .351 (20-for-57) with five doubles, one home run, and eight RBI. All four of Young’s three-hit performances have come since May 20 as well. He also recorded his longest hitting streak of the season at six games between May 20-26.
READY FOR RYAN JENSEN: Pitcher Ryan Jensen made his Triple-A debut with a relief appearance last night against St. Paul. The 25-year-old right-hander was promoted to Iowa from Tennessee on June 6 after spending the entire 2023 with the Smokies up to that point. During his time with Tennessee in 2023, the California native tallied a record of 2-5 with a 5.57 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and 22 walks allowed over 32.1 innings of work. Jensen appeared in a total of 14 games with Smokies and made six starts. Unfortunately for the No. 28 ranked prospect in the Chicago Cubs’ system coming into this season, his Triple-A debut wasn’t one that he was hoping for as he suffered the loss and in just one inning of work allowed three runs on one hit and three walks to go along with two strikeouts, setting his ERA at 27.00.
4-8, NOT GREAT: It’s been a tough start to the series against St. Paul for Iowa as it has dropped the first two games out of the scheduled seven. Iowa now has extended its mark for its longest losing streak of the season at five total games. A glaring reason for the struggles in this current series could be from the lack of production in the bottom half of the I-Cubs lineup. Between the games on Tuesday and Wednesday, the No. 4-8 hitters in the lineup for Iowa have combined to go 2-for-35 (.057) at the plate with 17 strikeouts. The I-Cubs have struck out a total of 24 times over the first two games of the series with St. Paul. The 17 strikeouts from the 4-8 hitters accounts for 71-percent of the team's total strikeouts.
AGAINST ST. PAUL: With St. Paul taking game two of the series by a score of 11-6 last night, they now lead the current series 2-0 and the season series four games to three. They have now outscored Iowa by 11 runs, at 21-10 through the first two games of the series. Iowa is now just 26-40 all-time against St. Paul, going 17-25 at CHS Field.
SHORT HOPS: Jair Camargo has hit three home runs and driven in eight runs over the first two games played against Iowa, accounting for 38% of the runs the Saints have scored this series…Iowa’s losing streak grew to a season-long five games last night, one shy of their longest streak from last season, when they lost six straight games from June 29-July 4…Anthony Kay’s last non-rehab start was against the Iowa Cubs as a member of the Buffalo Bisons on April 6, 2022; Kay spun 2.2 innings but took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two.
CAISSIE NAMED INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DES MOINES, IA – Iowa Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie was tabbed the International League Player of the Week for the period of June 30-July 6 the league announced today. In five games vs. Omaha, Caissie slashed .476/.560/1.143 (10-for-21) with two doubles, four home runs, six RBI and four walks. The
I-Cubs Win Four Games This Week Versus I-80 Rivals
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Iowa Cubs won the final game against the Omaha Storm Chasers 9-5 and claimed the week-long split-series four games to two. In the final game of a long series between the I-80 rivals, the I-Cubs jumped out to a large lead with a 7-0 score in
CAISSE HITS TWO HOMERS IN IOWA’S LOSS
PAPILLION, NE – Despite two home runs from Owen Caissie, the Iowa Cubs dropped tonight’s game to the Omaha Storm Chasers by an 8-4 score at Werner Park. Caissie’s first home run gave Iowa a 1-0 advantage in the second inning. In the third, Omaha tied the game at 1-1
Long Homers Twice in 7-2 Win Over Omaha
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Iowa Cubs take a three games to one lead against the I-80 rivals, Omaha Storm Chasers, 7-2 as Jonathon Long homers twice in tonight’s game. The game was held scoreless for the first three and a half innings as newly-acquired Chris Kachmar worked 5.0 innings and
Caissie Crushes Two Homers in Lopsided Win Over Omaha 12-3
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs took the home series two games to one over the Omaha Storm Chasers with a 12-3 score tonight off of Owen Caissie’s two-homer night. After Omaha jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening frame, the I-Cubs answered right back with
Sanders Earns Fourth Win of Season as Iowa Tops Omaha 10-6
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs split the series with the Omaha Storm Chasers this week with a 10-6 win as Carlos Pérez and Kevin Alcántara hit a pair of homers today. The I-Cubs jumped out to an 8-1 lead over the Chasers as Alcántara ripped a two-run shot,
Iowa Drops Series Opener Against Omaha in Thriller 10-7 Game
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs dropped this week’s series opener against the Omaha Storm Chasers 10-7 as Christian Franklin and Jonathon Long homer late but come up short. In the opening game this week, the Omaha Storm Chasers opened the lead up with a three-run homer from Carter
OWEN CAISSIE TO PLAY IN 2025 ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME
DES MOINES, IA – Today, Major League Baseball announced rosters for the 2025 All-Star Futures Game and Iowa Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie was selected for the second consecutive year. The Futures Game will be played at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 12 at Truist Park in Atlanta. Caissie, the
Franklin Hits Four, Wicks Fans Six in 9-3 Win Over Columbus
DES MOINES, IA. – In the final game of the six-game set, the Iowa Cubs took care of business against Columbus in a 9-3 win behind Jordan Wicks six strikeouts and Christian Franklin’s second four-hit game of the season, which also came against Columbus on May 22. After Columbus opened
Pérez Belts Two Homers, Romero Fans Eight in Sixth Straight Loss
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs fell once again to the Columbus Clippers in their sixth straight loss, third straight to the Clippers as Carlos Pérez crushed two homers in the game and Tommy Romero fanned eight batters. In the third game of the six-game series, the Clippers scored
I-Cubs Drop Fifth Straight in Heartbreak Fashion 8-7
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs dropped their fifth straight game to the Columbus Clippers 8-7, despite Jake Woodford’s first quality start of the season. The I-Cubs jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first three innings of the game as Owen Caissie belted his 12th homer of
Iowa Drops Four Straight with Columbus Loss 12-0
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs get dismantled by the Columbus Clippers in the first game of the series with a 12-0 loss. In the first game of this week’s series, the Clippers scored 12 unanswered runs to win the game for Columbus. Left-hander Jordan Wicks worked 3.0 innings,
Maeda Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in 1-0 Loss to Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN. – The Iowa Cubs dropped the series finale against the Nashville Sounds 1-0 despite Kenta Maeda’s seven scoreless-inning game. In the final game of this week’s series, the Sounds and the I-Cubs came down to the final two innings of the ballgame. Right-hander Kenta Maeda dealt 7.0 scoreless
ASL NIGHT WITH THE IOWA CUBS
The Iowa Cubs and the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf (IBCD) continue their long partnership with Deaf Culture Night at Principal Park on Thursday, June 26. The Iowa Cubs will wear specialty jerseys to celebrate Deaf culture and the Deaf community. The red jerseys will feature “IOWA” in American
POWERADE AND SWARM COLLECTIVE BRING COLLEGE STARS TO PRINCIPAL PARK
The Iowa Cubs, Swarm Collective, and Powerade are teaming up again this season to bring fans an opportunity to meet local college athletes at Principal Park. The event is Saturday, June 28 when the I-Cubs host the Columbus Clippers at 6:08 PM. Gates open at 5:00. Featured athletes will be
Pérez Crushes Sixth Career Grand Slam in 7-4 Loss
NASHVILLE, TN. – The Iowa Cubs dropped the fifth of the six-game series against the Nashville Sounds 7-4. The Sounds took the lead in the first five innings of the game as the score was 4-0 Nashville. Iowa answered back in the top of the sixth inning as Carlos Pérez
Woodford, Wicks Fan 11 in 6-1 Win Over Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN. – The Iowa Cubs took care of business in the third game of the series as Jordan Wicks and Jake Woodford fanned 11 batters total in tonight’s 6-1 win over Nashville. For the first time this week, the I-Cubs got on the board first as Moises Ballesteros and
Caissie and Noland Claim Series with 3-0 Win
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs won this week’s seven-game series against the Louisville Bats with a 3-0 win behind Connor Noland’s sixth quality start and a pair of homers from Owen Caissie and Dixon Machado. In the final game of the long seven-game set, Iowa scored the first
Bats Crush I-Cubs in Lopsided Affair 14-2
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs get dismantled against the Louisville Bats 14-2 in the sixth game this week. In the sixth game of this week’s series, the Bats came out swinging as they scored 14 unanswered runs from the second inning through the sixth inning and came off
I-Cubs Fall Short to Louisville 9-6
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs fell just short to the Louisville Bats 9-6 as Carlos Pérez and Moises Ballesteros totaled three RBIs in the loss. In the fifth game of the series, the Bats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead off a Edwin Rios solo shot in
Franklin Lifts Iowa Over Louisville for 7-4 Victory
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs bounced back in Wednesday’s game for a 7-4 win over the Louisville Bats as Christian Franklin finished the day with a triple and a three-run homer. In the bottom of the first inning, Moises Ballesteros knocked in the first run on a sac
I-Cubs Fell to Bats with 8-5 Loss in Game One
DES MOINES, IA. – The Iowa Cubs dropped the first game of the series against the Louisville Bats with an 8-5 loss on Tuesday night. Iowa jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead over the Bats in the bottom of the first inning off of starting pitcher Aaron Wilkerson as
I-Cubs Claim Series Against Omaha with 7-3 Win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Iowa Cubs claimed the series victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers as a 7-3 win gave Iowa five wins out of seven games this week. In the series finale between the I-Cubs and the Chasers, Iowa jumped out immediately to a 3-0 lead with back-to-back homers
Long and Pérez Lift Iowa Over Omaha 8-5
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Iowa Cubs won their third straight against the Omaha Storm Chasers as Jonathon Long went 3-4 with two RBIs and Carlos Pérez drilled his second grand slam of the season for an 8-5 win. In the third game of this week’s series against Omaha, the I-Cubs
Iowa Sweeps Omaha in Split Doubleheader
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Iowa Cubs swept the Omaha Storm Chasers in today’s split doubleheader as Owen Caissie’s RBI-double was the lone run to win game one. Then, Kenta Maeda dealt five scoreless innings, Caleb Knight crushed his first homer of the season and Moises Ballesteros ripped a three-run homer