Bats Fall Silent In 5-0 Loss To I-Cubs

The Iowa Cubs only needed four pitchers and an early offensive output to defeat the Louisville Bats in a 5-0 shutout on Saturday afternoon at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa. With today’s win, Iowa keeps the chance of tying up the series in the finale tomorrow.

Davis Daniel (L, 3-2) took the mound for his sixth start of the season, opposed by the I-Cubs Connor Noland (W, 2-2). The I-Cubs threatened and scored early, as Kevin Alcantara and James Triantos each drove in a run on singles to the outfield. The I-Cubs stranded a runner at third to end the inning with the 2-0 lead, with Daniel recording two strikeouts in the process.

Noelvi Marte singled and stole a base for the Bats in the second, increasing his hit streak to eight games since being activated to the Bats on April 15. Despite being moved to third on a single by Michael Toglia, the Bats threat was neutralized by an inning-ending strikeout to Francisco Urbaez.

Iowa loaded the bases with no outs in the home half of the inning when Justin Dean singled home a run to tack on another run. Daniel recorded an important strikeout after, but a missed double play chance on a Pedro Ramirez ground ball increased the I-Cubs lead to 4-0 before the inning’s conclusion.

The Bats offense stayed quiet through the fourth, despite Noland not recording his first strikeout until the final out of that inning. After a three-hit night on Friday, Marte carried his momentum into Saturday by recording two of the team’s first three hits.

Daniel settled in nicely after allowing early runs. He retired nine of ten Iowa hitters before allowing a solo home run to Triantos in the bottom of the fifth that extended the I-Cubs lead to 5-0. The Bats starter concluded his afternoon with five strikeouts to go with five earned runs, nine hits allowed, and two walks through 5.0 innings.

In the seventh, Louisville had an opportunity to score with the I-Cubs starter out of the game. Marte walked to open the frame, and Toglia recorded his second hit of the game -- only the Bats’ fourth of the afternoon. With two outs and both runners in scoring position, Will Banfield grounded out to end the inning with no damage done.

Julian Garcia worked two innings of relief for his second straight scoreless outing in his fifth appearance of the season. He struck out three Cubs and didn’t allow a hit.

As was the case all afternoon, the Bats were neutralized by I-Cubs pitching in the eighth and ninth innings, ultimately dropping the contest 5-0. It was only the second time this season that Louisville has been shut out.

Triantos led the game offensively with a 3-for-4 performance and two RBI. Three other I-Cubs hitters recorded an RBI with the help of ten team hits on the day. Marte and Toglia combined for four of the Bats’ five hits, and Marte added a stolen base and a walk to his totals.

The Bats (15-11) conclude their six-game series against the I-Cubs (13-12) on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:08 p.m. EST at Principal Park. Nick Curran will be on the call for Sports Talk 790-AM.