June 14 Game Notes - Iowa at Fresno

Iowa Cubs (36-31) @ Fresno Grizzlies (33-33)
Friday, June 14 • 9:05 PM • Chukchansi Park • Fresno, CA
RHP Adbert Alzolay (1-1, 3.12) vs. RHP Logan Ondrusek (2-1, 3.86)

TONIGHT'S GAME: After taking the second game of the three-game set at Fresno on Thursday, the I-Cubs aim to win back-to-back games for the first time since May 27-28 in Friday's rubber match. Iowa has lost just one of its eight road series in 2019, holding a 6-1-1 series mark in hostile territory. Adbert Alzolay takes the hill with a chance to clinch the series victory.
SETTLING IN: Starter Adbert Alzolay has settled in to be the I-Cubs most effective starter. Since allowing five runs in his first start with Iowa, Alzolay has given up a total of four runs through his next four outings. The right-hander has also faced two of the PCL's top-five offensive clubs in those four starts, battling Round Rock and Albuquerque in his previous two starts. In those top-five matchups, Alzolay spun 11.0 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He boasts a 1.64 ERA in his last four starts. 
SINGLING AND MINGLING: The I-Cubs were held without an extra-base hit for the fifth time in 2019 and the first time on the road. Iowa holds a 2-3 record in those games, with the only other victory coming in the first of two seven-inning games against New Orleans. 
FRIENDLY CONFINES: Infielder Jim Adduci joins the list of I-Cubs to find success in Des Moines following a call-up to Chicago. Taylor Davis reached base in his first seven games back with the I-Cubs, while Mark Zagunis has reached in each of his nine games after being optioned to Iowa. Adduci has jolted the I-Cubs offense with a hit in each of his seven games since returning from the big leagues, including three multi-hit performances. The streak adds on to a four-game stretch he had prior to his call-up, marking a season-best 11-game streak. Adduci has hit at a .409 clip (9-for-22) with seven runs and five RBI since returning to Iowa, and is at a .421 pace (16-for-38) over his 11-game hitting streak.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: With last night's victory, Iowa improved on its stellar 24-11 record in road games this season. The I-Cubs pitching staff has been the key factor, holding a PCL-best 3.75 team ERA on the road, while also claiming a top-five home ERA of 4.95. Iowa's bats rank in the bottom three in both home and road games with an identical .249 team batting average.
BOISTEROUS BULLPEN: After a rough stretch of seven straight games allowing multiple runs, the I-Cubs bullpen was phenomenal on Thursday. The quartet of Tony Barnette (MLR), Dillon Maples, Randy Rosario and Rowan Wick combined for 4.0 scoreless frames while allowing just two baserunners to close out the win. Wick's third save of the year tied him for the team lead, while also making Iowa the only club in the PCL to feature four relievers with three or more saves in 2019.
JUNE GLOOM, NOT DOOM: The I-Cubs have not fared well since the calendar turned to June, posting a league-worst 3-8 record thus far into the month. The team ERA for April and May were top-four in the PCL, but the I-Cubs are eighth in the league with a 5.05 ERA in June. Despite the struggles on the scoreboard, the Iowa pitching staff still boasts the fifth-best opponent batting average at .253 in the month of June, while collecting the fourth-most strikeouts with 103. Iowa finished last in strikeouts during April and eighth in May.
AGAINST FRESNO: The I-Cubs picked up their first win at Chukchansi Park since Aug. 15, 2016 on Thursday night. After the bullpens combined to surrender six runs on Wednesday, the relievers were phenomenal on both sides, combining for 6.0 scoreless innings. The two 'pens allowed just two hits and two walks while getting 11 strikeouts.
REA OF SUNSHINE: Colin Rea's five-inning start on Thursday puts him fourth in the PCL with a 3.20 ERA, second in the league with seven wins and a .875 winning percentage, and top-10 in opponent batting average (.246), innings pitched (70.1) and WHIP (1.29). 
ROW THE BOAT: Reliever Rowan Wick has been lights out over the last month for the I-Cubs. Since May 9, he holds a 0.60 ERA (1ER/15.0 IP) and has picked up two saves in his last four appearances. Wick has found success since being optioned from Chicago on May 25, boasting a 1.08 ERA since returning to Iowa.
DOUBLE OR NOTHIN': After allowing eight extra-base hits on Wednesday, the I-Cubs pitching staff rebounded, allowing just five hits, of which only two went for extra bases. 
SHORT HOPS: Donnie Dewees is on a three-game hit streak and has reached base in his last seven games...Dixon Machado started for the first time since May 27, the game before he was placed on the IL...Dillon Maples has recorded multiple strikeouts in 13 of his 15 appearances in 2019...Randy Rosario spun his third hitless outing of 2019 on Thursday.