May 6 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at Columbus Clippers

May 6, 2023 – International League (IL) – Iowa Cubs News Release

IOWA CUBS (18-9) @ COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (13-16)

Saturday – 4:05 PM CT (G1) – Huntington Park – Columbus, OH

GAME ONE: RHP Nick Neidert (2-1, 4.05) vs. RHP Zach Plesac (0-0, -.–)

GAME TWO: RHP Chris Clarke (0-1, 3.00) vs. TBD (0-0, -.–)

TONIGHT’S GAMES: Iowa and Columbus will play games four and five of their six-game series tonight after Tuesday’s game got postponed due to wet grounds. Game one will see Nick Neidert toe the rubber for Iowa, marking his sixth start of the year. Through his first five starts, the right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA, allowing nine earned runs in 20.0 innings pitched. On the other side, Zach Plesac will get the start for Columbus, set to make his first start of the year with the Clippers. Plesac started five games for the Guardians this year, going 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA, allowing 18 earned runs on 37 hits and five walks in 21.1 innings. He struck out 14 batters over that span, allowing opponents to hit .374 against him. In game two, Chris Clarke will get the call for the I-Cubs, set to make his third start of the year. Clarke enters tonight’s game looking for his first win of the year, with a record of 0-1 and a 3.00 ERA. The righty has allowed two earned runs on three hits including one home run, walking two batters and striking out 10. Columbus’ starter for game two is to be determined, with it likely being a bullpen game for the Clippers.

BACK AT THE TOP: After their win last night, Iowa jumped back up to a tie at the top-spot in the International League West Division. They are tied at the top with the Memphis Redbirds who have lost their last two games and gone an even 5-5 in their last 10. Iowa started the year in first place and stayed there through their first 11 games of the year. After a loss and three straight postponed games, the I-Cubs dropped to second place for a day before going back to first for two games. Since April 21, Iowa has not gotten back to first place until last night’s victory. Entering tonight’s doubleheader they are tied with the Redbirds and up 1.5 games on the next closest opponent, the Toledo Mud Hens.

ANSWER THE CALL: Nick Neidert is set to make his team-leading sixth start of the year tonight in game one, in search of his third victory. Not only does the 26-year-old lead the team in starts, he also leads the I-Cubs in innings pitched, with an even 20.0. Neidert struggled in his first two starts, allowing 10 runs on 15 hits in 5.1…