Lack of offensive support spoils Iowa pitcher's debut
by Mike Malloy, The Des Moines Register
July 30, 2004

Kevin McGlinchy debuted; the Iowa Cubs bats disappeared.

McGlinchy, acquired Tuesday, gave up two runs in six innings but was the losing pitcher in the Cubs 3-1 defeat to Tucson on Thursday at Sec Taylor Stadium.

"I like to think my guys are a pretty good offensive ball club, so when you shut us down you have to give the opposing pitchers credit," Iowa manager Mike Quade said.

Tucson's Oscar Villarreal and Matt Henrie did not allow the Cubs to have more than one base runner in any inning. The only run came in the seventh when Donny Leon led off with a double into the right-field corner, and scored two hitters later on a ground ball by Gookie Dawkins.

McGlinchy, who pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 1999 and 2000, started 11 of his 26 games for Monterrey of the Mexican League this season, compiling a 6-2 record with a 2.99 earned-run average.

"I don't know much about the league, but the guys we've been getting from there have done a good job," Quade said. "He threw about 20 more pitches than I thought we'd get out of him. He said he felt great and he threw great. It looks like he'll be a nice addition." McGlinchy struck out five and allowed one walk in his 96-pitch start. He made only one obvious mistake, giving a no-ball two-strike home run to Josh Kroeger.

"Any pitcher on the planet that gives up and 0-2 home run, unless the guy hits it off the bounce, would say that it's a mistake," Quade said.

On Deck: David Kelton hit his 99th professional home run Wednesday. Kelton has hit nine home runs this season and 25 in two seasons with the Cubs.

Three Too Many: Iowa has allowed three runs or fewer in the first three games of the Tucson series but has lost twice. "When you give up three runs, you'd expect us to win," Quade said.