I-Cubs capture series from Baby Cakes

METAIRIE – Jason Vosler’s home run capped a three-run first inning for the Iowa Cubs, who defeated the New Orleans Baby Cakes on Thursday night, 5-3.

For the second straight game, Iowa pounced on the ‘Cakes starting pitcher, following a five-run outburst on Wednesday with the three-run opening frame. Chesny Young singled with one out against Zac Gallen, then stole second base and scored on a two-out single by Ryan Court. Vosler’s first Triple-A home run gave the Cubs a three-run lead, and accounted for one more run than Gallen had permitted in 36 innings over his first six starts at home this season.

Victor Caratini led off the third inning with a home run to push the Iowa advantage to 4-0, but the ‘Cakes answered with a run in the bottom half, after Magneuris Sierra reached on a drag bunt, stole second, and scored on Garrett Cooper’s double.

Gallen, named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team earlier in the day, was unable to get out of the sixth inning. Taylor Davis singled to open the frame, and with two outs, Gallen walked relief pitcher Craig Brooks to end his outing. Mark Zagunis greeted reliever Jose Quijada with a single to score Davis.

Gallen (4-4) threw a career-high 111 pitches to work 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs and eight hits. The right-hander struck out six and walked two and remained winless in his last seven outings.

New Orleans missed scoring opportunities throughout the game, leaving at least two runners on base in five different innings and 12 overall. Eric Campbell, also named to the All-Star Game earlier in the day, slugged a two-run homer in the ninth off Cory Mazzoni to provide the final margin.

Brooks (1-0) was credited with the victory after Cubs starter Zach Hedges scattered five hits over the first four innings.

Iowa won three of four games in the series to improve to 7-2 this season against the Baby Cakes.

The ‘Cakes open a six-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Friday at 7 p.m.