Some roster moves.  Jake Fox got sent down to Tennessee with the activation of Micah Hoffpauir.  Iowa pitcher Geoff Jones retired and the Cubs cut OF Corey Coles, meaning both players we got for Angel Pagan are already gone.  The Cubs signed long-time major league veteran Hector Carrasco and assigned him to Iowa.

Iowa Cubs

The west coast swing continues as the I-Cubs drubbed the Tacoma Raniers, 14-2.

Kevin Hart started and pitched quite effectively, with 3.2 shutout innings as the Cubs move to stretch him out as a starter.  Hart allowed only two hits and struck out six while walking nobody.  Hector Carrasco got the win by allowing one run in one inning of relief.

Carmen Pignatiello continued to struggle, giving up one run on three hits and three walks in one inning of relief.  Again though, that lowered his ERA.  Neal Cotts continued to be effective, bailing Pignatiello out and throwing 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Catcher Todd Richie almost singlehandedly destroyed the Raniers with a 4 for 5 night that was the "catcher's cycle":  A home run, two doubles and a single.  Richie had four RBI and scored three times.  Richie also stole a base. Third baseman Casey McGehee went 2 for 4 with his fourth home run of the season.  Right fielder Josh Kroeger had a 2 for 5 afternoon with his second home run on the season.

Eric Patterson and Matt Murton both went 2 for 5.  Shortstop Luis Figueroa went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts, 6-4.

James Russell's second start in AA didn't go as well as his first, but he still left the game with the lead.  Russell only lasted four innings and allowed two runs on three hits and five walks.  Russell struck out five.

Tanner Watson got credited with the win as Russell didn't go five innings.  Watson allowed two runs on four hits and two walks in two innings.  Jim Henderson got his first save of the year with two innings of shutout baseball, allowing one hit, no walks, and striking out one.

A big night for catchers as Steve Clevenger went 2 for 5 with a double and his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the third inning.  Right fielder Matt Camp continued to hit with a 2 for 5 night with a triple.  Center fielder Tyler Colvin went 2 for 5.  Second baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 3 with a walk and a double.

Daytona Cubs

A ninth-inning rally fell short as the D-Cubs fell to the Sarasota Reds, 3-2.

Adam Harben saw his record fall to 1-5.  Harben pitched five innings and allowed three runs on five hits and walk.  Harben struck out two Reds.

Right fielder Jim Adduci and first baseman Blake Lalli both went 2 for 4 with a double.  Yusuf Carter struck out and Josh Lansford grounded out with the tying and go-ahead runs on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were cut down by the Clinton LumberKings, 7-3.

This game was really bad.  Alberto Cabrera started and got knocked around badly. The Chiefs scored three runs with two outs in the ninth after no one cared. Third baseman Marquez Smith hit his third home run of the season in the ninth.  I've already wasted more words on this game than it merits.