Isotope Homers Topple I-Cubs

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Iowa Cubs (48-56) dropped the opening game of a four-game series to the Albuquerque Isotopes (55-52) 8-1, Saturday at Isotopes Park. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak against the Isotopes and also snapped a four-game streak of one-run games for the I-Cub.

Iowa's offense never got going, scoring just one run and mustering up six hits - five of them singles. Chris Dominguez recorded one-third of Iowa's hits, going 2-for-5 and raising his season batting average to .330, best among current Iowa hitters. Iowa's lone run came on a Mark Zagunis RBI double in the ninth, his 20th of the season.
Starting pitcher Aaron Brooks (5-9) went six innings for the I-Cubs, giving up five earned runs on eight hits and two home runs. The right-hander did not walk a batter and struck out four. The Isotopes who victimized Brooks included Ryan McMahon and Jordan Patterson, who both hit home runs in the fourth inning. Patterson's homer was his first of two long balls on the night.
Reliever Dylan Floro surrendered the second of Patterson's home runs, giving up another home run in the bottom of the eighth to Albuquerque third baseman Cristhian Adames. Floro went two innings, giving up three earned runs on three hits. Sam Howard (4-2) got the win for Albuquerque, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings in his start for the Isotopes. 
Iowa and Albuquerque square off in game two of a four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 central time, with the action available on AM 940, MiLB.tv or iowacubs.com.