Aug. 6 Game Notes vs. Las Vegas

Iowa Cubs (42-70) vs. Las Vegas 51s (55-58)
Monday, Aug. 6 • 7:08 p.m. CT • Principal Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Alec Mills (5-10, 4.53) vs. RHP Scott Copeland (1-1, 3.75)

TONIGHT'S GAME: After snapping a three-game losing streak and evening the series at 1-1 yesterday, the I-Cubs will look to RHP Alec Mills (5-10, 4.53) to keep the momentum rolling against Las Vegas' RHP Scott Copeland (1-1, 3.75). Both righties are coming off quality starts, with Mills spinning six perfect frames against Salt Lake. Over his last two starts, he has allowed just one earned run through 12.2 innings of work, walking two and striking out seven to earn PCL Pitcher of the Week honors for July 30-Aug. 5. Copeland pitched 7.0 hitless frames against Iowa while with New Orleans on April 14, 2017 as part of a combined no-hitter. It was the first thrown against the I-Cubs since 2002.  
HOME-RUN HAPPY: Yesterday's three home runs were the most home runs Iowa has hit in a single game since May 18 vs. the Omaha Storm Chasers. The I-Cubs and 51s have already combined to launch eight home runs over two games. Coming into the sixth game of a seven-game homestand, there has been a home run in each contest, for a total of 13 long balls, since Aug. 1. I-Cub starters have given up seven of those home runs, while surrendering 16 over the past 11 games.
JASON BOSSLER: After going 1-for-9 over his last three games, Jason Vosler tagged Las Vegas for a perfect 4-for-4 game -- tying a career high -- with two runs, a double, home run and two RBI. The third baseman's solo shot in the fourth marked his sixth long ball on the season with Iowa and 18th overall in 2018 between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. Vosler now leads all Chicago farmhands in home runs. Mark Zagunis joins the third baseman as the only other I-Cub with a multi-hit effort in yesterday's contest. 
BRILLIANT BRUNO: Despite going to 0-for-2 in yesterday's game, Stephen Bruno reached base three times and scored two of Iowa's nine runs on the day. Jason Vosler now ties Stephen Bruno as Iowa's hottest bat over the last 10 games, going 14-for-37 with seven runs, a home run and four RBI. With Chesny Young on the DL and David Bote with Chicago, Bruno has taken full advantage of his opportunity and has thrived batting higher in the order. During the season, Bruno is hitting .330 (30-for-91) while batting leadoff or second as opposed to batting .155 (16-for-103) in the rest of the spots in the lineup. 
HITTING THE MARK: Over his last 12 games, Mark Zagunis has gone 15-for-42 for a .357 average -- driving in nine and swiping three bags along the way. He extended his hitting streak to five games yesterday while going 2-for-3 and driving in three with a two-out home run in the fifth for his sixth on the season. Zagunis is now tied with Taylor Davis at 23 multi-hit games on the season. The outfielder walked twice with one strikeout to continue to pace the I-Cubs in OBP at .394 -- good for 11th-best in the PCL. 
AGAINST LAS VEGAS: Iowa holds an advantage in the all-time meetings between these two teams at 49-47. Prior to last season's series win, the I-Cubs had only won one series against Last Vegas since 2011. Last year, Mark Zagunis played his cards right against Las Vegas and went 7-for-16 (.438) with four runs, an RBI and four walks. He has continued the trend into this season, going 3-for-7 (.429) with five RBI in the first two games of the four-game set. 
GRAND SALAMI: En route to a 9-4 victory in yesterday's game, Chris Gimenez broke the I-Cubs grand slam drought, as three walks loaded the bases for the backstop to smack his first home run since Oct. 1, 2017. It was the first I-Cub grand slam since Ian Happ went deep off Josh Hader on April 27, 2017 at home vs. Colorado Springs. Gimenez has notched a hit in each of his last five games, good for a .294 average (5-for-17) with two doubles and four RBI. 
THE STREAK LIVES ON: Another game, another scoreless relief appearance for Dillon Maples. Maples pitched the ninth inning of yesterday's contest without giving up an earned run. It was his 21st-straight appearance in which he hasn't given up an earned run. Maples has pitched in the most games of any I-Cub this year (35), and tallies a 2.36 ERA with a 0.00 ERA since the All-Star break -- all while holding opposing batters to a .160 average.
FAB-FIVE: Over Iowa's last 10 games, five I-Cubs are hitting above the .300 mark, including Stephen Bruno (14-37, .378), Trey Martin (9-26, .346), Bijan Rademacher (9-28, .321), Jason Vosler (14-37, .378) and Mark Zagunis (10-31, .323). The group has combined to drive in 26 of the 47 runs scored while scoring 29 in the last 10 contests. 
JUST A LITTLE OUTSIDE: Stephen Bruno took three walks yesterday, spiking his walk total to 13 over 221 plate appearances. Bruno hadn't walked more than once in a game since Aug. 11, 2016 while on a rehab assignment with Rookie Eugene, while three free passes matches a career high, last matched on April 23, 2015 with Double-A Tennessee.
SHORT HOPS: Despite throwing 5.0 innings and surrendering three earned runs on five hits, a home run, walk and five strikeouts in yesterday's 9-4 win, Duane Underwood Jr. is still looking for his first victory at Principal Park this season in seven games...through Iowa's last 13 games, the bullpen holds a 1.46 ERA (9ER/55.1IP) with 22 walks and 54 strikeouts...with a 9-4 win, the I-Cubs notched their 20th home victory on the season, during which the team collected its seventh win in 12 games while notching an equal hit total with their opponent.