Iowa Wins Behind Pries' Quality Start

MEMPHIS, TN - The Iowa Cubs (44-59) battled to avoid a series sweep with a 6-2 win over the Memphis Redbirds (49-52) in the final game of the set, Monday at AutoZone Park. 

In his I-Cubs' debut, Jordan Pries recorded a quality start, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over six innings, while striking out four. Albert Almora Jr. went 1-for-4 with one run and one walk in his first game back with Iowa following a long stint with Chicago. Mark Zagunis, Kristopher Negrón and Logan Watkins each collected two-hit games. 

Iowa nabbed three hits and a walk in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Pries gave up back-to-back singles with one out in the bottom of the frame, but was able to work out of the sticky situation to keep Memphis off the board. 

Almora Jr. sparked another scoring drive for Iowa with a one-out single in the third. Zagunis reached on a hit by a pitch and Tim Federowicz drilled a single to load the bags. Jeimer Candelario grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in Almora Jr. from third and Watkins followed with a single to plate another, making it 5-0 Iowa. 

Efren Navarro broke the shutout in the third as he snuck one over the right-field fence for his sixth homer of the year. Both teams were quiet until the sixth when another solo shot - this time off the bat of Anthony Garcia - helped the Redbirds creep closer. 

Iowa added an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI from John Andreoli and with the help of a strong outing from the bullpen, the I-Cubs were able to snap a four-game skid.

Iowa travels to New Orleans to take on the Zephyrs at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. Listen live on AM 940 or at www.iowacubs.com.