Five Nashville Errors Give Iowa Boost

DES MOINES - The Iowa Cubs (35-37) capitalized on five Nashville errors to take a 7-4 win over the Sounds (44-32) in front of 12,459 fans, Friday at Principal Park. Five doubles helped Iowa to its fourth win in five games and a series win. Logan Watkins led the way, batting a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored.

Both teams scored in the first, but Iowa was quick to break the tie. Three Nashville errors helped Iowa to three runs in the second inning and a 4-1 lead. Nashville took back two runs in the top of the third and knotted the score at four-all in the following frame. The score didn't hold for long as the I-Cubs jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the inning. Watkins bunted the first pitch down the third-base line for a single and Juan Perez followed with a double. Munenori Kawasaki locked in to drive a two-RBI single that put Iowa ahead for good. 

Iowa added insurance in the seventh as back-to-back doubles from Murton and Jeimer Candelario extended Iowa's lead to 7-4. The home team had the chance to cushion its lead, loading the bags in the eighth with one out, but Nashville pitcher Andrew Triggs struck out two in a row to end the inning. 

Drew Rucinski (5-6) came away with the win after allowing four runs, three earned, over five innings. Armando Rivero chipped in three scoreless innings, his longest outing of the season, allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out four. Pitching a flawless ninth, Joel Peralta earned his second save in three days. 

Iowa hits the road for eleven games over a nine-day stretch, with the addition of three doubleheaders. The I-Cubs stop in Oklahoma City first and then travel to Round Rock. Follow the action on AM 940 or at www.iowacubs.com.