Patterson says so long to minors

Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 | 8:58 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Corey Patterson smashed two homers and drove in four runs on Monday night, powering Iowa to a 9-0 shutout of Las Vegas at Principal Park.

The 25-year-old center fielder cranked a solo shot in the first, launched a two-run blast in the second and singled another run home in the fourth.

After hitting just .219 in his first 19 games with the I-Cubs, Patterson has gone 10 for his last 18, lifting his batting average to .297.

On Sunday, Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker indicated that the six-year major league veteran will likely be recalled this week to provide a spark for the slumping Chicago lineup.

Scott McClain also starred, going 2-for-4 and belting a solo shot for Iowa. His 26th homer puts him two behind Fresno's Todd Linden for the Pacific Coast League lead. Nate Frese went 2-for-4 with a two-run single.

After spending nearly three months with Chicago, Sergio Mitre combined with three relievers to blank the 51s in his return to Iowa.

Delwyn Young went 2-for-4, while Nick Theodorou went 1-for-4 to account for the three Las Vegas hits. Los Angeles Dodger Jayson Werth went 0-for-2 in the first game of a rehab assignment.

Starter Harold Eckert (5-6) was tagged for eight runs on nine hits in four innings to take the loss, his fourth in six starts.