Iowa Cubs (54-42) vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers (42-53)Wednesday, July 17 • 7:08 p.m. • Principal Park • Des Moines, IARHP Adbert Alzolay (2-3, 4.28) vs. RHP Dustin May (1-0, 4.50)
Iowa Cubs (54-42) vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers (42-53)
Wednesday, July 17 • 7:08 p.m. • Principal Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Adbert Alzolay (2-3, 4.28) vs. RHP Dustin May (1-0, 4.50)
TONIGHT'S GAME: Iowa and Oklahoma City are set for the third game of the four-game series tonight at Principal Park. After winning the first game 5-2, the I-Cubs surrendered a season-high 13 runs in a 13-4 loss on Tuesday night. Iowa holds a 3-1 edge in Oklahoma City, but the clubs have split six games in Des Moines this season.
A CHANGE OF SCENERY: Since moving to the bullpen in late May, Duane Underwood Jr. has posted a 2.70 ERA (6ER/20.0 IP) through 14 games while walking seven and striking out 25. In his last 10 contests, the righty has allowed two earned runs through 13.2 frames -- good for a 1.32 ERA -- and has issued three free passes compared to 18 strikeouts.
DONNIE DINGERS: Donnie Dewees improved upon his already impressive season in the home run column with his 13th of the season. His previous season-best mark was nine, set back in 2017 with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He surpassed his previous career high on June 20.
GOING ON STRIKE: The I-Cubs pitching staff combined for a season-high 16 strikeouts on Tuesday night despite surrendering a season-high in runs. The effort was the most strikeouts in a game by an I-Cub staff since July 27, 2017 when five pitchers, including 2019 I-Cubs Matt Carasiti and Dillon Maples, struck out 20. Tuesday's effort also saw four different I-Cubs pitchers strike out the side. Iowa has not had three or more pitchers strike out the side in the same game this season.
ZIG AND ZAG: OF Mark Zagunis has been on a tear since being optioned to Iowa after earning a spot on Chicago's Opening Day roster. He snapped his 24-game on-base streak and a 12-game hitting streak after an 0-for-4 performance on July 2. He has rebounded since then, going on a eight-game hitting streak starting July 4 with a .353 average (12-for-34) and eight RBI. His .321 batting average on the season would rank eighth in the PCL if he qualified.
SLAM THE DOOR: Reliever Rowan Wick has been lights out with Iowa in his last 11 games. Wick has not allowed an earned run with Iowa since May 26 against New Orleans when he allowed one run in 3.1 innings of work. Over that span, the righty has spun 10.2 innings allowing just five hits and two walks to go along with 13 strikeouts. He has also earned four of his five saves and his only win of the season. Wick was called up to Chicago twice since May 26, playing four total games with the Cubs tossing six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with four walks and five punch outs.
LEAGUE LEADER: Colin Rea remains the league leader in wins after recording his 11th of the year in the first game of the current series against Oklahoma City. He currently ranks second in ERA with a 3.17 mark, trailing current-Marlin Zac Gallen. He also ranks among the PCL's top five in innings pitched (3rd, 102.1), opponent batting average (5th, .236), and WHIP (5th, 1.26). The only I-Cubs All-Star has gone to a different level lately tossing three consecutive quality starts. In his last three outings, Rea has spun 21.1 innings allowing just four runs on nine hits.
AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY: The I-Cubs send RHP Adbert Alzolay to the hill for a battle of top-five prospects with Dustin May on the other side. Alzolay is the Cubs' No. 4 prospect by MLB.com and May checks in third for Los Angeles. In three of Oklahoma City's four wins over Iowa this season, the Dodgers have scored eight or more runs for the win. Outside of those three contests, the Dodger offense has been held to three or fewer runs in all but one game; a 10-4 I-Cub victory on April 19. The nine-run defeat was the largest OKC victory over Iowa since April 9, 2017, a 12-1 loss in Oklahoma City.
SHORT HOPS: Nine of the 13 Oklahoma City runs on Tuesday were scored with two outs. Oklahoma City ranks in the PCL's bottom three with 180 runs scored with two gone...Dixon Machado extended his hitting streak to five games, one shy of his season-long six-game stretch...Tim Collins has allowed home runs in back-to-back games for the first time since June 25-29, 2018 with Washington...Trevor Clifton allowed three home runs for the second time in his career and third time this season.
