Beavers Crush Cubs, 13-3

After winning five straight games, the Iowa Cubs lost their second straight game to the Portland Beavers, 13-3 on Tuesday night. The Cubs only trailed 4-3 after seven innings, but the bullpen gave up nine runs in the final two innings. The game was played at Principal Park on a muggy night in front of 7,546 people.

The Beavers' bats picked up where they left off last night as they were able to put a run up on the board in the top of the first inning off Cubs' starting pitcher, Jeff Samardzija. Samardzija walked the Beavers' lead-off man, Luis Durango. Durango stole second, and scored on a two-out single by Wily Mo Pena, giving the Beavers a 1-0 lead.

The Cubs were able to answer in their half of the first. Sam Fuld led off with a triple and was singled in by Darwin Barney during the next at-bat to tie the score at one a piece.

Samardzija ran into a little bit of trouble in the top of the third. He retired the first batter of the inning, but then walked Durango for the second time in the ball game. Back-to-back singles loaded the bases with only one out. Samardzija was able to get Pena to fly out, but Kyle Phillips then hit a two-run single, giving the Beavers a 3-1 lead. Sean Kazmar then hit a single of his own, padding the lead to 4-1 in favor of the Beavers.

Samardzija (9-2, 3.27) was able to settle down after that inning and finish strong. He got the loss but ended up going seven strong innings, giving up eight hits, four runs and three walks, while striking out five.

Beavers' starting pitcher Josh Geer was in control of the Cubs' offense until the bottom of the seventh inning. Geer gave up a double to Bryan LaHair and a single to Bobby Scales to begin the inning before he was lifted for relief pitcher, Ryan Webb. LaHair came across the plate when Jim Adduci grounded into a force out, making it a 4-2 game. Adduci stole second and scored on a double by Matt Camp as the Cubs edged closer to the Beavers as their lead was cut to 4-3.

The Beavers were able to get the runs back in the top of the eighth off Cubs' reliever, Scott Maine. Maine walked Kazmar with one out, and Nick Green with two outs. The walks haunted Maine as Aaron Cunningham's double plated both runners, increasing the Beaver lead to 6-3.

The Beavers were able to add seven more runs in the top of the ninth off Cubs' reliever, David Cales, giving them a 13-3 lead.

Geer (9-9, 5.59) picked up the win for the Beavers. In six-plus innings, Geer surrendered seven hits, three runs, two walks and struck out one batter.

The two teams will meet in the series finale tomorrow for a matinee game. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. The Cubs will try and salvage a split as they send RH Jay Jackson (9-6, 4.33) to the mound. He will be opposed by LH Cesar Ramos (3-5, 3.92) for the Beavers.