Cubs Blank Grizzlies
The Cubs staked Bibens-Dirkx to an early lead when Bobby Scales belted a two-run homer in the top of the second inning off Grizzlies' starter Matt Yourkin. It was Scales' seventh home run of the season, and the first batting right-handed for the switch-hitter. The Cubs added two more runs in the fourth inning. Brad Snyder led off with his 19th homer of the season - a line drive over the short wall in right field at Chukchansi Park. Micah Hoffpauir followed with an infield single and scored on a two-out double by Marquez Smith. Hoffpauir also singled in the second inning and extended his hitting streak to 19 games. He had missed the last three games due to a short stint in the big leagues while Derek Lee was inactive for Chicago.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Bibens-Dirkx walked Ben Copeland with one out before play was stopped. A pipe burst in the left field corner and water was collecting on the warning track in the corner and around the Cubs' bullpen bench. The game was stopped for 41 minutes while Grizzlies' staff contained the leak and dried out the field. When play resumed, Jackson Williams reached on a fielder's choice before Yourkin singled to right for the Grizzlies first hit of the game. Bibens-Dirkx (5-0) stranded the runners and then allowed two just two more singles while working through seven innings for his longest outing as an I-Cub. Brian Schlitter and Jeff Stevens each pitched a perfect inning to complete the team's seventh shutout win of the year.
Yourkin (6-6) worked through 5.1 innings and was charged with five runs (four earned) on eight hits. He came out with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and Craig Whitaker walked Smith to force in the Cubs' final run. Whitaker also walked three in the seventh inning, but got out of the jam without allowing a run.
With the win, the Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak and maintained their two and a half game lead over Omaha in the Pacific Coast League's American Northern Division. The Royals won at Sacramento tonight for their sixth straight win. The Cubs improved to 21-9 in the first game of a series and 14-7 on travel days this year.
The Cubs and Grizzlies continue this series tomorrow night at 9:05 Central time. LH J.R. Mathes (8-8, 5.34) will start for the Cubs against RH Kevin Pucetas (4-6, 5.87) for the Grizzlies. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the Safeco On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 8:40.