I-Cubs stay in playoff chase with win over Sacramento

The Iowa Cubs played their final regular-season home game Sunday.

But a postseason return remains a possibility.

A 9-1 win over Sacramento kept Iowa within four games of first place in the Pacific Coast League's American Northern division.

The Cubs improved their record to 77-58 and will play their last nine games on the road – including the next five against division leader Oklahoma City.

Iowa has stayed in contention by winning eight of its past nine games.

"Man, we're playing relaxed," pitcher Dallas Beeler said. "We're just playing loose. Whatever happens, happens."

There'll be a little uncertainty in the coming days, as Major League Baseball begins its September call-ups.

With rosters in flux, minor league managers aren't really sure who will be available.

"You never know," Iowa manager Marty Pevey said last week. "We prepare the same all the time, figure out what (our) needs are and what the big league club's needs are."

Some players aren't sure where they'll be needed.

"I just want to keep pitching, regardless of where it is," Beeler said. "It's always fun to keep the season going.

"I'm just kind of looking at it as a business. It's a job and I'm going to keep throwing as long as I can and as good as I can."

Beeler was good Sunday, allowing two hits and a walk over eight innings while striking out seven.

Javier Baez and Emilio Bonifacio both went 4-for-5 at the plate. The Cubs scored in each of the first four innings, blowing the game open with four runs in the fourth.

Baez extended his season-long hitting streak to 16 games.

About the only thing in doubt was whether Beeler, who improved to 7-5 on the season, could keep his rhythm.

"Sitting in the dugout you're like, 'Man, I want to get back out there,'" Beeler said. "But offensively and defensively, the team played solid."