Express Blank Iowa in Pitching Duel

Des Moines, IA - Josh Lindblom allowed just two hits over eight innings and the Round Rock Express (15-12) blanked the Iowa Cubs (9-16) 1-0 on a cold and windy Wednesday night at Principal Park. The final game of the four-game series - scheduled for noon Thursday - has been postponed due to expected poor weather conditions.

Iowa managed just four hits total - three by leadoff batter Logan Watkins. The Cubs got two hits in the ninth off reliever Cory Burns and loaded the bases, but an infield groundout ended the threat and the game.

Lindblom (4-0) struck out eight and walked two. Burns picked up his seventh save.

Iowa starter Chris Rusin (1-3) scattered six hits over seven innings and took the loss. Rusin struck out five and walked none.

The Express scored in the fifth inning on a lead-off double by Aaron Cunningham, who moved to third on a groundout and scored on a single by Greg Miclat.

Watkins went 3-for-3 with a double and two singles. He has now reached base safely in his last nine games. Ryan Sweeney had the Cubs' only other hit.

With Thursday's postponement, the Cubs' next game is Friday night when they open a four-game series against the Oklahoma City RedHawks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with the starters TBD. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed at iowacubs.com with the pre-game show starting at 6:45.