Tonight, it's all about protecting sacred cows.  That's right, the secret is out.  If anyone dares criticize a minor league player tonight, I'm going to send Alberto Alburquerque out to your house and T.P. your trees and shrubs.  So don't even think about it, because Al's recovering from arm surgery and is in a nasty mood.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs West Coast miseries continue as the Fresno Grizzlies completed the four-game sweep, defeating the I-Cubs, 8-5.

Mark Holliman struggled badly tonight.  Holliman lasted only three innings and allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks.  Holliman struck out no one.  Andy Cavazos took the loss, allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning by walking two batters.  But the real goat of the night was Carmen Pignatiello, who allowed the two runners he inherited from Cavazos to score and then added two more earned runs of his own in 1.1 innings.  He allowed five hits and his ERA in the PCL is up to 11.05.

Mike Burns was the pitching hero, as he had three scoreless innings of relief.

Second baseman Bobby Scales was the hitting star of the night, coming just a triple short of the cycle.  Scales went 3 for 4 with three RBI.  His home run was his fifth on the season.  Third baseman Casey McGehee went 1 for 4 with a double and two RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The sun set on the Jacksonville Suns tonight as the Tennessee Smokies blotted out the Suns, 6-0.

This is why people still think Donnie Veal could be something special in the major leagues.  Veal threw seven shutout innings allowing only three hits and three walks.  Veal struck out five.  Veal gets a lot of criticism for not living up to his potential around here and elsewhere, but his record on the season now stands at 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA.  Yes, he's still walking too many and there are some unearned runs in there, but he certainly appears to be taking a step forward this season as opposed to the step backwards he took last year.

Scott Eyre pitched another scoreless inning of relief in a rehab effort.

Third baseman Kyle Reynolds went 2 for 4 with a double.  Left fielder Matt Camp had a 1 for 5 night with a double and two RBI.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona lost to the St. Lucie Mets, 7-3.

Jose Ceda's inconsistencies as a starter continued as he took his first loss of the season with a poor outing.  Ceda allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks in only three innings.  Ceda struck out only two Mets.

Center fielder Jonathan Wyatt went 3 for 5 with an RBI.  Right fielder Jim Adduci went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.  Shortstop Darwin Barney went 2 for 4 and catcher Mark Reed went 3 for 3 with a double.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs announced their big game on July 29th against Kane County at Wrigley Field.  Everyone is overlooking the big thing here:  The ZOOperstars are going to be performing!  They've got to have Harry Canary sing the seventh inning stretch, right?  Clammy Sosa out in right field?

Seriously, seeing the Zooperstars at Wrigley Field is about as close to an acid trip as I'd ever experience.  It's too bad I won't be there.