Heee's baaaaack!  What famous Cub minor leaguer has returned to the organization?

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs edged the Omaha Royals, 5-4.

Kevin Hart started and got the win while lasting the minimum five innings.  Hart allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks.  More impressively, however, Hart struck out six.  He was pulled from the game after 82 pitches.

With Jose Ascanio deservedly getting the call, Neal Cotts took over the closer role in Iowa and pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two Royals along the way.  One member of the bullpen called up, one to go, Neal.

Jason Dubois is the new prodigal son, as he was signed and installed at first base today.  Dubois went 1 for 4 and made two errors.

Right fielder Andres Torres was 2 for 5 with a triple and a home run.  Torres had 3 RBI and scored twice.  Matt Murton was 2 for 3 with a home run, a walk and a caught stealing.  Second baseman Luis Figueroa was 2 for 4.

Felix Pie went 0 for 4 again, but had an RBI groundout.

Tennessee Smokies

A nine-run inning doomed the Smokies as they lost to the Montgomery Biscuits, 11-5.

Mitch Atkins started and saw his record fall to 2-5.  Atkins pitched 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks. Atkins struck out three. Reliever Matt Avery had it even worse as he allowed five runs in an inning and a third.

Left fielder Jake Fox went 2 for 4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.  Catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to come from behind and beat the Clearwater Threshers, 4-3.

Adam Harben started and had trouble finding the plate.  He lasted only 3.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits and six walks.  Harben struck out three.

But the bullpen bailed Harben out.  Jason Ruhlman tossed 2.1 innings without allowing a run, although the 3 hits and 3 walks he gave up shows he wasn't all that effective.  But Marcos Mateo got the win in relief with two shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.  Dumas Garcia got his fifth save of the season with a perfect ninth.

First baseman Blake Lalli had a 3 for 4 night with two doubles and four RBI.  Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs got cleaned out by the Quad City River Bandits, 6-0.

Starter Alberto Cabrera got rocked for five runs in five innings to see his record fall to 1-6. 

That's about all I want to say about that game.  The whole team stunk.

The Chiefs have now lost seven games in a row and their record has fallen to 14-30.  Other than the St. Lucie Mets and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, they're probably the worst team in the minor leagues right now.  Thank God for split seasons.