Long Ball Sinks I-Cubs

ST. PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints (62-60) clubbed three home runs, taking a 7-5 victory over the Iowa Cubs (51-71) in game two of the series, Thursday at CHS Field.

For the second night in a row, the I-Cubs jumped on the board early, scoring in each of the first three innings to take a 4-0 lead. Jared Young got it started in the first with an RBI double, followed by a single from Levi Jordan in the second inning to go up 2-0.

Iowa got two more in the third on RBI singles from Christopher Morel and Andrew Romine, giving Matt Swarmer a four-run cushion. The righty cruised through the first two innings, but allowed a solo home run to BJ Boyd in the third and a two-run blast to Ben Rortvedt in the fifth to make it a 4-3 game.

More of the same came in the sixth, as St. Paul took the lead on a two-run shot from Mark Contreras. Two RBI singles from Tomás Telis brought the Saints’ lead to three, at 7-4.

The I-Cubs got one back in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough, as St. Paul hung on for the 7-5 win, tying the series at one game apiece.

POSTGAME NOTES:

• Christopher Morel got his first two Triple-A hits tonight, going 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk.

• Jared Young, Christopher Morel and Andrew Romine all collected two hits tonight, combining for six of Iowa’s nine total hits tonight.

• Matt Swarmer allowed six runs over his 5.1 innings tonight, surrendering six hits while striking out six. Three of the six hits the righty gave up were home runs, accounting for five of the six runs on his line.

• Brendon Little threw 1.2 innings of one-hit ball tonight, striking out four of the five batters he retired.

Iowa and St. Paul will meet for game three of their five-game set at CHS Field tomorrow night, with first pitch between the two teams set for 7:05 pm. For more information and tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.