May 16 Game Notes - Iowa vs. New Orleans

Iowa Cubs (24-15) vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes (20-19)
Thursday, May 16 • 4:38 PM DH • Principal Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Matt Swarmer (4-3, 4.26) vs. RHP Héctor Noesi (3-1, 3.66)
RHP Colin Rea (3-1, 2.82) vs. LHP Mike Kickham (1-0, 3.98)

TONIGHT'S GAMES: The I-Cubs look to bounce back from four-straight losses at Principal Park after being swept by the Omaha Storm Chasers for the first time since 2012. Iowa welcomes New Orleans to town for six games, starting with a doubleheader today to make up for a postponed game on April 10. The I-Cubs are 1-1 against the Baby Cakes at Principal Park and 2-3 overall on the 2019 campaign.
OUR FILL OF PHILL: Minor League free agent Phillip Evans has been a great addition to the I-Cubs lineup this season. The infielder paces the PCL with 30 walks and is seventh with a .441 on-base percentage. In 36 games with the I-Cubs, Evans has reached base in 31 of them. Since April 24, Evans is batting .348 (24-for-69) with six home runs and 18 RBI. His 21 walks and two hit-by-pitches give him a .511 on-base percentage over this span. Evans has homered in each of his last two games. 
DOUBLED UP: In four twin-bills this season, Iowa has split three of them and swept one. Three of the four doubleheaders have been played at Principal Park, and the fourth was played in New Orleans on April 17 and resulted in a split. Iowa is 5-3 in home twin bill games against New Orleans and is 14-7 overall. 
A SLIPPERY SLOPE: After starting the month with a 10-1 record, the franchise's best start to the month of May in their PCL era, a four game sweep at home has quickly changed the feeling of the team's standing. Iowa swept Omaha and took three of four on the road against second place Memphis before coming home to Principal Park. A six game lead in the division quickly diminished to three after being outscored by the Storm Chasers 28-11, resulting in a four-game sweep. 
SWARM OF WINS: In his last four starts, starter Matt Swarmer holds a 3-1 record. Over those four starts, the righty has allowed 17 hits, eight runs, four walks, and 24 strikeouts over 23.0 innings pitched. He has faced New Orleans once this season, his worst start of the year, allowing nine hits along with five runs over six innings. Swarmer will look to continue the roll he is on tonight against the Baby Cakes. 
AGAINST NEW ORLEANS: The Baby Cakes hold a 3-2 edge over the I-Cubs on the year. The teams split two games in Iowa's home opening series, with the middle game postponed until tonight's doubleheader. Later in April, New Orleans took two of three from Iowa at Shrine on Airline. Iowa starter Matt Swarmer will face off with Héctor Noesi for the second time this season, New Orleans won the first game of that pitching matchup by a score of 8-5. Mike Kickham, the Baby Cakes starter for game two, earned a win in relief against Iowa on April 9. Iowa's game two starter Colin Rea will make his first appearance against New Orleans.
LIMITING HITS:Dillon Maples gave up one hit, hit one batter and fanned three in 1.1 scoreless innings of work Saturday. Of 47 batters faced with Iowa this season, only 14 have put the ball in play resulting in four hits and 10 outs. Maples has walked nine, hit three and struck out 21 -- good for an average of 18.29 strikeouts per nine innings.
DIALED IN: Junichi Tazawa was assigned to the Iowa Cubs on May 12 after beginning the year in Extended Spring. The righty has made two appearances for the I-Cubs and has been locked in. In two innings against the Storm Chasers, Tazawa has struck out three batters and has yet to allow a baserunner.
EAGLE EYE: As a team, the Iowa Cubs have reached base via a free pass 173 times this season, second most in the PCL behind the Las Vegas Aviators who have 176 walks. Iowa also holds the top three spots in individual base on balls in the league. Phillip Evans paces the league with 30 free passes, shortly followed by Dixon Machado with 29. Ian Happ is tied for the third-most walks with 26. Happ has walked 23 times in his last 23 games with just 14 strikeouts. The utility man began the season with three walks and 22 strikeouts in his first 14 games. 
SHORT HOPS: Iowa is 18-0 when scoring six or more runs in a game...Ian Happ has walked 23 times in his last 23 games...Duane Underwood Jr. allowed a career-high seven earned runs and 11 hits on Tuesday against Omaha.