I-Cubs and Dodgers Split, Navarro Walks Off

DES MOINES -Efren Navarro was the walk-off hero in Game 2 as the Iowa Cubs (1-1) and the Oklahoma City Dodgers (1-1) split an Opening Day doubleheader, Thursday at Principal Park.

With Game 2 locked at two after seven, the two teams tested the new MiLB extra-inning rules. With first ups, the Dodgers couldn't cash in with the runner on second. In the bottom of the inning, Duane Underwood Jr. was the pinch-runner for Iowa. Mark Zagunis moved Underwood with a single to left and Navarro brought Iowa to a 3-2 victory with a walk-off RBI single. Alberto Baldonado (1-0) took the win, and Edwardo Paredes (0-1) the loss. 
Iowa was ahead early in Game 1, thanks to an RBI-single from Navarro in the third. The I-Cubs held on for just an inning before Rocky Gale locked the game with an infield single in the fourth. Max Muncy knocked in the eventual winning run with a towering home run to right off Iowa starter Jen-Ho Tseng in the fifth. Tseng exited after 5.0, allowing the pair of earned runs. He gave up seven hits, walked one and fanned seven. Randy Rosario closed out the game with 2.0 perfect frames, but Iowa couldn't catch up. Tseng (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
Friday's game between the two teams has been postponed due to predicted cold temperatures. The series will resume with a 7:08 p.m. game on Saturday. The first 1,500 fans will receive a 2018 Iowa Cubs magnet schedule. For more information or tickets, visit www.iowacubs.com.