Down on the Farm: Chris Valaika powers Iowa Cubs to 8-3 win

Last but not least we have the Iowa Cubs taking on the Colorado Spring SkySox.

Final Score: Cubs 8, SkySox 3.

The man of the day during this game is first baseman Chris Valaika who had himself a great ballgame – finishing 2-5 with four RBI’s.

Cubs jumped to a quick 5-0 lead during the first two innings of the ball game as Valaika kicked off the scoring with an RBI double to right field. Christian Villanueva singled during the same inning to make it 2-0 – until Logan Watkins picked up his first triple on the year to extend the lead to 4-0.

Right-hander Chris Rusin (3-6, 3.49 ERA) made it through 6.0 innings tonight against the SkySox – allowing them to string together four hits while striking out eight. Things got a little shaky after Alberto Cabrera entered the game.

Cabrera allowed the SkySox to record three runs off one hit which was a home run by Drew Garcia during the top of the seventh inning. It would be the only inning Cabrera would see as he would be replaced by Marcus Hatley and Frank Batista – two guys who combined for one run, one walk and four strikeouts.

Valaika belted a three run shot during the bottom of the fourth inning to extend the lead to 8-0 at the time. It was his fourth home run of the year.

Winning pitcher tonight is Chris Rusin (3-6, 3.49 ERA) losing pitcher is Christian Bergman (3-3, 3.92 ERA).

Iowa Cubs improve to 25-21.