Rivera powers Baby Cakes past Cubs

Yadiel Rivera hit two home runs and Lewis Brinson went deep for the second day in a row to power the New Orleans Baby Cakes to a 9-5 win over the Iowa Cubs on Friday night at Principal Park.
Brinson's two-run blast in the first inning marked his second straight game with a home run and second straight game driving in a pair of runs in the opening frame. Rivera homered in the fourth, a two-run shot to give New Orleans a 6-1 cushion, then added a solo homer in the eighth.
Monte Harrison stole two bases to bring his league-leading total to 16, and scored after each one, first on Brinson's home run and then in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by JT Riddle.
Elieser Hernandez made his first start in nine days after a brief call-up to the Marlins and worked five innings, allowed one run on four hits, and picked up his second victory. The reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, Hernandez (2-0) now ranks second in the league to teammate Zac Gallen with a 1.25 ERA.
Kyle Keller and Jeff Brigham combined to hold the Cubs hitless over the final 3 2/3 innings as New Orleans earned its second win in the first three meetings of the six-game series.
The Baby Cakes knocked Cubs starter Adbert Alzolay out of the game after just four innings. Alzolay (0-1) gave up six runs - five earned - and four hits while walking three and striking out six.
The teams continue the series on Saturday at 4:38 p.m.