Tsuyoshi Wada rocked as Iowa Cubs fall to Colorado Springs

In the first game of what was supposed to be a twin-bill on Monday, the Iowa Cubs were shutout 7-0 by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox after left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada was rocked in his worst start of the young season.

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Wada allowed all seven runs (six of which were earned) on an even dozen hits and one walk in just five innings of work, while his offense backed him with just four base hits on the afternoon. Colorado Springs starter Tyler Thornburg was lights-out and reliever Chris Leroux matched him blow-for-blow to lead the Sky Sox to the easy ‘W’.

Iowa (7-10) has now lost four of its last five games, and the offense has totaled just more than three runs just one time during that stretch – a troubling sign that began early-on when Kris Bryant was promoted to the big leagues and grew worse when infielder Addison Russell joined the Chicago Cubs last week.

Chris Valaika reached base three times to pace the I-Cubs’ offense, including a pair of hits and a walk, while Christian Villanueva, Bryant’s replacement at the hot corner, doubled.

On the season, Wada, who was superb with Chicago last season, going 4-4 with a 3.25 ERA across 13 starts. So far with Triple-A Iowa this season, the southpaw has compiled an 0-2 record to go along with a 5.40 earned run average in three starts.

He has been noticeably worse away from Principal Park, where he has a 2.70 ERA; away from home, he’s pitched to a 10.80 earned run average. Finding consistency on the road moving forward will be a key for the Japanese native.

As a team, Iowa was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while Colorado Springs went 4-for-11.

Next: Brian Schlitter optioned; Junior Lake promoted

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