Cubs Pitchers Break Franchise Record in 13-Inning Loss

Des Moines, IA - Iowa Cubs pitchers struck out a franchise-record 21 batters Saturday night, but the Cubs (24-30) dropped a 7-6 decision to the New Orleans Zephyrs (26-29) in the first game of a four-game series. The 13-inning game lasted four and a half hours, making it the longest game of the season for the Cubs.

Iowa starter Guillermo Moscoso fanned a season-high 10 batters in 5.2 innings. Five Iowa relievers added 11 strikeouts. New Orleans leadoff batter Kevin Mattison struck out six times.

The previous franchise record for strikeouts in a game was 19 on June 27, 2011 against Albuquerque and on July 27, 2004 against Tucson.

The Cubs had a 6-1 lead after three innings, but the Zephyrs came back with three runs in the fourth and two in the ninth to tie the game. Paul Gran led off the top of the 13th with a triple and scored the winning run on a one-out groundout by Bryan Petersen.

Iowa scored four runs in the third inning with RBI doubles by Dave Sappelt, Brent Lillibridge, and Ian Stewart. Lillibridge went 4-for-6 and Sappelt went 3-for-4 on the night to lead the Cubs at the plate.

The Cubs and Zephyrs play again Sunday afternoon at 1:05. LH Chris Rusin (4-4, 3.55 ERA) will start for Iowa against LH Brian Flynn (1-4, 4.04 ERA) for New Orleans. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed live at iowacubs.com with the pre-game show starting at 12:45.