Game Notes for Fri., August 7th
CUBS RALLY COMES UP SHORT: Trailing 6-1 after seven innings, the I-Cubs rallied with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull within a run. The Aces were able to hang on for a 6-5 win when Doug Slaten got pinch-hitter Chris Robinson to ground out with the bases loaded to end the game. Slaten entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth and earned his third save. Aces starter Tony Barnette (10-7) allowed three runs over 7.1 innings for the win. Cubs starter James Russell (2-1) allowed three runs on six hits in four innings and suffered his first loss of the season. Bobby Scales came into the game in a double switch in the seventh inning and finished with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored to lead the Cubs. Ed Rogers had two hits and two RBI to lead the Aces. Five of Reno's six runs were scored with two outs.
UNBALANCED OFFENSE: The Cubs followed a season trend by scoring four of their five runs in the final two innings last night. From the seventh through the ninth innings this year, the Cubs are outscoring their opponents 190-168. Despite the advantage, the Cubs' record is 6-44 when trailing after the sixth inning. In the first three innings, opponents are outscoring the Cubs 183-123. In the middle three innings, the margin is much closer. The Cubs are outscoring their opponents 172-158 from the fourth through the sixth innings.
ARMS RACE: Through the first six games in August, the Cubs' pitching staff has posted a league-best 2.79 ERA. The team's 4.01 ERA overall for the year ranks second behind Nashville's mark of 3.99. The Cubs have allowed the fewest hits (953) of any staff this season and the second-fewest walks (339) in the PCL. Omaha leads the league with 329 walks issued for the year.
STREAKING SNYDER: OF Brad Snyder has hit in 14 straight games and 29 of his last 30 games with the I-Cubs. For the season, Snyder has hit safely in 34 of his 38 games with Iowa. He is currently tied with Allen Craig of Memphis for the longest active hitting streak in the PCL. Snyder returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing two and a half months with a broken bone in his left wrist. During his last 14 games with the I-Cubs, Snyder is batting .339 (20-for-59) with five doubles, a triple, six home runs, 15 runs scored, and 16 RBI. With a hit in his next game, Snyder would match his longest hitting streak of the season. He had a 15-game hitting streak from April 17-May 5. The longest hitting streak for an I-Cub this season is 17 games by Jake Fox from May 5-25.
SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO: Following the game last night, OF Jason Dubois was traded to the New York Mets for a player to be named later. Dubois had a pinch-hit RBI single and a walk last night to finish with a .302 batting average, 11 home runs, and 50 RBI in 91 games with the I-Cubs this year. Dubois has spent parts of four seasons with the I-Cubs (2004-05, 08-09) and has a career average of .313 with 68 home runs, 211 RBI, and a .646 slugging percentage in 916 games. He ranks second on the Iowa career home run list behind Joe Hicks (1981-84, '86) who hit 90. Dubois will report to Triple-A Buffalo in the International League. Dubois also spent time with Buffalo in 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Cleveland Indians organization.
IN THE RED: The Cubs need a win tonight to avoid matching their low mark for the season at three games under .500. The Cubs were 26-29 on June 4th.
Vs. RENO: This series is tied 1-1. This is the first ever series between the I-Cubs and Aces in Reno's first season in the PCL. Reno is the new home of the Arizona Diamondbacks' PCL affiliate, previously located in Tucson. Last year, the Cubs lost two of three at Tucson and had their final game at Tucson Electric Park rained out on July 25th. The Cubs were 32-26 all-time against the Sidewinders, including a 20-11 mark at Principal Park.
INJURY REPORT: IF Luis Rivas has been on the disabled list since July 26th with left leg soreness. C Mark Johnson has been on the disabled list since July 1 with a neck strain.
UPCOMING PROBABLES (times CT)
| Saturday, August 8 | 7:05 p.m. | vs. Reno | RH Hector Ambriz (5-8, 5.65) vs. RH Mitch Atkins (6-10, 6.71) |
| Sunday, August 9 | 1:20 p.m. | vs. Las Vegas @ Wrigley Field |
RH Marty McLeary (1-0, 6.00) vs. LH J.R. Mathes (10-6, 3.60) |
| Monday, August 10 | 7:05 p.m. | vs. Las Vegas | LH David Purcey (5-5, 4.71) vs. RH Esmailin Caridad (5-10, 4.15) |
| Tuesday, August 11 | 7:05 p.m. | vs. Las Vegas | LH Fabio Castro vs. LH James Russell |
| Wednesday, August 12 | 12:05 p.m. | vs. Las Vegas | LH Davis Romero vs. LH Casey Fossum |