Just because the Cubs took the day off doesn't mean the minors sleep.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs started their west coast swing with an 11-3 shellacking at the hands of the Fresno Grizzlies.

Sean Gallagher proved he was human tonight by getting hit for five runs in 5.2 innings.  Gallagher allowed five hits and four walks while striking out five.  Carmen Pignatiello relieved Gallagher in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and two out.  He walked both batters he faced, forcing in two runs. Then Randy Wells entered the game and allows a grand slam to the fist batter he faces.  Wells would later allow three more runs of his own to score, making his line 2.1 innings pitched with four runs on seven hits and a walk.  And Toronto gave him back to us?

Second baseman Bobby Scales went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBI.  Left fielder Corey Coles went 2 for 3 with a double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies outslugged the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 8-6.

Lots of ugly lines for the Smokie pitchers.  Starter Tanner Watson lasted only three innings and allowed two runs on four hits and four walks. Watson struck out four.  Reliever Matt Avery had the best line on the night, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings.

Ed Campusano gave up a run in the 1.1 innings he worked.  Chris Shaver was worse, taking credit for two runs in a third of an inning.  Rocky Roquet vultured the win by blowing a save opportunity with one run on three hits and a walk in one inning.  Jesse Estrada pitched a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the season.

Left fielder Matt Camp went  3 for 4 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base.  He's trying too hard though.  He was picked off of first base twice. One of the pickoffs did lead to a run scored via a Diamond Jaxx error.   DH Kyle Reynolds hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot.  It was his only hit in a 1 for 4 night.

Right fielder Ryan Harvey went 2 for 4 with an RBI.  Second baseman Matt Matulia had a 2 for 3 night with a double and an RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were shut down by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 2-1.

Alex Maestri had one of his worst outings of the year tonight, but pitched out of a lot of trouble and ended up with a line that wasn't too bad, despite taking the loss.  Maestri went 4.1 innings and gave up one run on two hits and five walks.  Maestri just doesn't have the same control as a starter that he had as a reliever.  What he does have is the same ability to strike batters out, as he punched out five Hammerheads.

Jeremy Papelbon tossed 1.2 innings of shutout relief.  Casey Lambert allowed an unearned run in two innings.

The Cubs tonight were shut down by Hammerhead starter Graham Taylor, who tossed eight scoreless innings.  I only mention him because Taylor was the pitcher who was supposed to come to the Cubs in the Jacque Jones trade with Florida that fell apart last June.

Center fielder Jonathan Wyatt went 2 for 4 with a double and the only Cub run.  Ty Wright  went 2 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

OK, some minor leaguers did decide to take the day off, but they had a good excuse: rain.