ROUND ROCK, TX - An eighth-inning rally pushed the Round Rock Express (53-38) to a 6-4 victory over the Iowa Cubs (52-39), Thursday at Dell Diamond.
ROUND ROCK, TX - An eighth-inning rally pushed the Round Rock Express (53-38) to a 6-4 victory over the Iowa Cubs (52-39), Thursday at Dell Diamond.
Six of the game's 10 runs were scored in the first inning as starters Trevor Clifton and Akeem Bostick both labored through the opening frame. Iowa was first to strike, getting three runs on two hits and three walks. The I-Cubs had the chance to do more damage but left the bases juiced. The Express duplicated the effort, spurred by two walks to open the bottom half of the inning. A Derek Fisher homer did the damage, locking the game at 3-3.
Singles from Donnie Dewees and Ian Happ opened the second and the I-Cubs took another temporary lead on a Phillip Evans sac fly. Round Rock plated a run in the fourth to force another stalemate and the score held until the eighth. Dillon Maples (L, 0-4) gave up a leadoff hit to Drew Ferguson before issuing four-straight walks to push in a pair of runs.
Happ punched a leadoff single in the ninth but Iowa couldn't collect on the base runner as former I-Cub Felipe Paulino secured the save.
POSTGAME NOTES:
• Ian Happ extended his hitting streak to seven with a 2-for-5 game (.444, 12-for-27).
• Iowa went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine stranded.
• Jim Adduci went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Iowa and Round Rock clash at Dell Diamond again tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. RHP Adbert Alzolay is slated to face RHP Rogelio Armenteros. Follow the action on AM 940, TuneIn Radio or www.iowacubs.com.
