2018 has not been kind to the Iowa Cubs, but last night that didn’t matter. Last night Iowa played like a fantastic baseball team.
We’ll start with Adbert Alzolay who tossed seven innings of one hit baseball (taking *another* no-hitter into the 6th inning), walking two and striking out six in the process. This was the third straight good start for Alzolay, and it lowered his ERA to 2.12.
And then there is Dillon Maples. Maples struck out three (and walked three) in an inning and a third on his way to his first save.
Mike Freeman hit leadoff for the Cubs in this one, and all he did was go 3 for 5 with three home runs. It was the first three homer day in his professional career.
Mike Freeman (@MikeBFree5) goes yard x3 for his first career multi-homer game in support of top @Cubs prospect @adbert29 Alzolay's gem with @IowaCubs. https://t.co/wskwSzWjVj pic.twitter.com/ESMhZVT816
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 1, 2018
Mark Zagunis also homered. And so did Taylor Davis.
Finally, after a month that contained 17 losses and with the ignoble fate of finishing April with a winning percentage under .200 on the line, Iowa had a game where all the pieces fell into place. Is this a sign that they’ve turned a corner?
Probably not. But at least for one night, Iowa was awesome.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 10, Omaha 3
Six of those runs came in the eighth, right after Omaha had pulled to within one.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Chattanooga 4, Tennessee 3
The Smokies led 3-2 after the top of the ninth.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Pelicans had the day off.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
The Cubs also had the day off.
Other Notes