Iowa Cubs Defeat Portland Beavers 3-2 - AAA, Pacific Coast League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – DES MOINES, Iowa – Rich Hill struck out eight and teamed with Jose Ascanio on a three-hit, 3-0 shutout, while Josh Kroeger belted a two-run homer as part of a decisive three-run fourth inning as the Iowa Cubs came back to beat the Portland Beavers 3-2 in the nightcap to sweep a doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Principal Park.

Before the game, the San Diego Padres optioned left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher to Portland after acquiring right-handed pitcher Brian Corey from Boston in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. Thatcher is expected the join the Beavers in Des Moines on Monday. Late Saturday, the Padres outrighted left-handed pitcher Glendon Rusch to Portland.

Chip Ambres hit an RBI double and scored on a double-play grounder in the second inning as the Beavers took a 2-0 lead in the second game. But the Cubs (18-18) overtook Portland (17-18) by scoring all three of their runs in the bottom of the fourth, getting a two-run homer from Kroeger and a two-out RBI single from Eric Patterson.

The comeback effort made a winner of reliever Randy Wells (2-0), while Portland starter Enrique Gonzalez (0-2) took the loss after striking out five and allowing three runs and five hits in four innings.

Hill (1-1) allowed three hits and four walks over 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Ascanio retired all four batters he faced to hand the Beavers their second shutout loss of the season in the first game. Sam Fuld hit an RBI double in the third inning and Koyie Hill added a two-run double in the fourth for the Cubs.

Wade LeBlanc (2-3) gave up all three runs and allowed five hits and a walk in four innings of the work for the Beavers, who have lost three games in a row.

The doubleheader was made necessary when Saturday’s series opener was postponed due to rain; both games on Sunday were seven innings.

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