Four-Run Eighth Leads Cubs Over Bats

DES MOINES, IA – Darius Hill hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, sending the Iowa Cubs to an eventual 9-5 win over the Louisville Bats Friday night at Principal Park.

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The Cubs got off to a fast start in the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Narciso Crook had a two-run double and John Hicks added an RBI double in the frame.

In the top of the third inning, the Bats loaded the bases with no outs before Cristian Santana’s RBI single made it a 3-1 game. A pop out and a double play kept Louisville from doing further damage in the inning. That ended up being the only run Louisville would score against Cubs’ starter Javier Assad, who struck out five over six innings of work.

Iowa got that run right back in the next half inning as Hicks’ drove in his second run of the night on a sacrifice fly. The Cubs tacked on another tally on Frank Schwindel’s RBI double in the bottom of the seventh, making it 5-1.

In the top of the eighth inning, Louisville put the first two batters on base before Santana picked up his second RBI of the game on a single up the middle. After a pitching change, Colin Moran hit a game-tying, three-run blast evening the game at 5-5.

The tie didn’t last long though, as Hill put the Cubs back ahead with his three-run home run in the bottom of eighth inning. Iowa plated an insurance run on a fielding error to extend the advantage to 9-5.

Brendan Little pitched a perfect top of the ninth inning to secure the Iowa victory.

The Bats and Cubs will continue their series tomorrow night at Principal Park. Deck McGuire (2-2, 6.92 ERA) will start for Louisville, opposing Hayden Wesneski (6-8, 4.24 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET.