MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-The Iowa Cubs were defeated by the New Orleans Zephyrs, 5-2, Wednesday afternoon at Principal Park.

Iowa held the lead through the seventh inning until the Zephyrs plated two runs in the top of the eighth inning. It was not the Cubs’ bullpen's most auspicious effort as the bases were loaded after three Zephyrs were hit by pitches: John Lindsey, Jai Miller and Dave Matranga. With two outs, Lindsey scored after Cameron Maybin walked and another walk issued to Gookie Dawkins scored their second run to tie the game.

The game did not remain tied for long as the Zephrys’ Miller launched a three-run home run in the top of the ninth for a 5-2 lead. Lindsey reached on a walk and Andy Gonzalez singled before Miller came to the plate.
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Iowa got on the board first in the second inning when Steve Clevenger doubled to right field and was driven in on So Taguchi’s single for a 1-0 lead. Luis Rivas, Nate Spears and Sam Fuld hit back-to-back-to-back singles in the sixth inning. Rivas scored easily for a 2-0 lead and while Fuld was caught in a rundown between first and second base, Spears took off for home. Zephyrs’ second baseman, Dawkins, saw Spears and was able to get the ball to catcher Brett Hayes for the final out of the inning.

Ryan Freel, Taguchi and Rivas each posted two hits in the loss.

Starting pitcher Esmailin Caridad threw four shutout innings before leaving the game with left hamstring tightness. Neal Cotts (1-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs, three walks and three hits over 0.2 innings, while Jarrett Santos (3-3) picked up the win for New Orleans.

The Cubs and Zephyrs meet for the second game of this series tomorrow. First pitch is schedule for 7:05 p.m. at Principal Park.

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