Starter Sawyer Gipson-Long struggled in this one, but the big bats were there to pick him up in Thursday night’s Game 1.
Colt Keith ripped a double with two outs in the top of the first, and Tyler Nevin followed with a walk, but Ryan Kreidler, back from his rehab assignment, grounded out to end the inning.
No matter, Wenceel Perez led off the second with a single and took second base on an error on Alexander Canario, Iowa’s right fielder. With two outs, Andrew Knapp singled him home to take an early 1-0 lead.
Justyn-Henry Malloy led off the third with a single, and Keith followed with another drive to center for a double.