September 14 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs vs. Memphis Redbirds

September 14, 2022 – International League (IL) – Iowa Cubs News Release

IOWA CUBS (61-75) vs. MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (67-69)

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 – 12:08 PM – Principal Park – Des Moines, IA

RHP Matt Swarmer (3-3, 3.34) vs. LHP Connor Thomas (6-9, 5.04)

TODAY’S GAME: Iowa and Memphis will play game two of their six-game series today, with Memphis currently leading the series one game to zero after their victory last night. Matt Swarmer is scheduled to pitch in his 19th game for Iowa, going 3-3 with a 3.34 ERA through his first 18 games. The righty has allowed 26 earned runs on 56 hits over 70.0 innings pitched, walking 26 batters compared to 76 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .213 against Swarmer entering today’s game. Memphis will send out lefty Connor Thomas for his 26th game and 23rd start of the year for Memphis. Entering today’s game, Thomas is 6-9 with a 5.04 ERA, allowing 68 earned runs on 149 hits over 121.1 innings pitched. The southpaw has walked 31 batters compared to 100 strikeouts over that span, allowing opponents to hit .298 against him. Thomas is one of just four pitchers on the Redbirds’ roster that has faced the I-Cubs this year, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in 5.2 innings of work back on May 26.

HOLD THE LINE: Jonathan Holder spun two scoreless outings of relief last night, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two batters. It marked his first scoreless outing of the month and his first since August 25 against St. Paul. Since then, in three outings prior to last night, the righty had allowing 12 earned runs one 10 hits and five walks, allowing opponents to hit .588 against him in 2.2 innings over three games. The scoreless outing last night brought his ERA with Iowa to 13.50 in 10 games.

SNAP THE STREAK: Iowa enters today’s game against the Redbirds on a five-game losing streak, just one loss away from tying their season long. It is their fourth losing streak of five or more games this year, with the first coming back on May 26-31 with four games against this Memphis team and one against St. Paul. Their next five-game streak was from June 5 to 10 with one game against St. Paul and four against Toledo. The longest losing streak of the year was a six-game streak done back on June 29 to July 4, dropping five games to Columbus and one to Indianapolis.

SETTLE BACK IN: Matt Swarmer has been one of Iowa’s more consistent pitchers this year, holding a 3-3 record with a 3.34 ERA in 18 games so far. The righty has hit…