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Teagarden, Cubs topple Zephyrs in series opener

Veteran catcher drives in four in second game with the team
April 21, 2015

DES MOINES, Iowa - Taylor Teagarden joined Triple-A Iowa just three days ago, but it didn't take long to provide heroics for the I-Cubs. The veteran catcher swatted a two-run homer and a two-RBI double to power Iowa (6-6) past New Orleans (4-8) 6-4 in Pacific Coast League action Tuesday evening at Principal Park.

 

With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Christian Villanueva hit a leadoff double before Teagarden turned around the first pitch he saw from New Orleans starter Jake Esch (0-1) to give Iowa a lead they would never lose.

 

Right-hander Donn Roach started for Iowa and allowed a run on five hits and two walks in 6.0 innings. He struck out three in his second straight quality start against the Z's. Right-hander Blake Cooper worked the final two innings to earn his first save as an I-Cub. Cooper allowed four hits and two runs but struck out Miguel Rojas and got Scott Sizemore to line out to first to shut the door on a Z's comeback.

 

Teagarden led the way offensively for Iowa, going 2-for-3 with his first four RBI of the season. Matt Szczur collected three hits and an RBI in his first game back with Iowa.

 

Brady Shoemaker and Derek Dietrich led New Orleans with a pair of hits each.

 

The I-Cubs will host the New Orleans Zephyrs in game two of a four-game set on Wednesday, with first pitch set for 12:08 p.m. CT at Principal Park. Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada (0-1, 1.93) will make his second rehab start for Iowa against Zephyrs left-hander Adam Conley (1-1, 5.25). The game can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 11:40 a.m. CT.


*Note: Second baseman Jonathan Mota's fielding error in the second inning was changed to a hit, therefore making Roach's lone run earned.