Early morning edition!

Iowa Cubs

Ugh.  Don't blame Juan Mateo for the I-Cubs losing 5-3.  He pitched 5.1 decent innings in relief of Wade Miller.  Mateo gave up nine hits, but didn't walk anyone, and struck out six.  It was errors by Cedeno and Patterson that cost the team.  Patterson's second error kept the inning alive in the 8th, and the apparently tired Mateo gave up a longball.  

Velocity doesn't always equal effectiveness.  I don't know how hard Miller was throwing, but in three innings, he struck out 5 and only allowed one hit.  

Read all about it.

At least the Cub prospects are still hitting.  Murton and Pie both homered and each went 2-4.  Murton's OPS is now higher than Cedeno's (and Fontenot's and Moore's when they were called up).  Against lefties, he's hitting .405/.511/.730.  Xavier who? Nady not needed, says me.

Tennessee Smokies

Mark Holliman had a little trouble, and the team lost 4-1.  Not much offense, obviously.  Tyler Colvin hit cleanup and went 1-4 with two strikeouts.  

Daytona Cubs

Another level, another loss.  This time it took 11 innings, but Brevard County outlasted Daytona, 4-2.  Brian Dopirak and Alberto Garcia had two hits each.  But at ages 23 and 24, respectively, they ought to be doing that more frequently in High-A.  Starter Mitch Atkins threw well again, going six innings.  His season ERA is at 2.89.  

Peoria Chiefs

Finally!  
A win!  Still not much offense, but the low-A club bails out the system with a shutout of the South Bend Silver Hawks, 3-0.  Kudos to pitchers Jake Renshaw, Jayson Ruhlman, and Al Maestri, who picked up his seventh save.  

Boise Hawks

OK, so they're not silver or anything.  The hueless Hawks were washed out by rain, and will make up the game later.  

AZL Cubs

Spent the day painting Mr. Miyagi's fence.  Up, down.  Side-to-side.