Rodrigo Lopez News

The jubilation of ending a five-game losing streak late Thursday in Tucson might have lent itself to several Redbirds spending the flight back from the desert gearing up to face former big leaguer Rodrigo Lopez in Friday's series opener vs.

Rodrigo Lopez was impressive over six shutout innings, allowing only one single.

Highlight: Blake Lalli and Pacific Coast League home run leader Anthony Rizzo each hit one out, and Rodrigo Lopez, an 11-year major league veteran, pitched five effective innings as the Iowa Cubs defeated the host River Cats 3-1 Monday night.

Iowa Cubs pitcher Chris Rusin was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week.

First of all, I want to congratulate Peoria Chiefs first baseman Paul Hoilman on extending his hitting streak to a Peoria franchise record 22 games.

On the skids: Fresno dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season, losing 13-2 Tuesday to visiting Iowa.

The Iowa Cubs scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth and derailed the New Orleans Zephyrs , 1-0. Three Iowa pitchers combined to shut out the Zephyrs on three hits, and each pitcher gave up exactly one single.

Chris Rusin was awfully good over six shutout innings. Rusin allowed only three hits and two walks while striking out four.