Iowa Cubs

I hate games in Albuquerque.  I hate spelling it and I hate writing it up.  I hate their Coors Field on steroids ballpark.

I'm sure the people there are nice.

Tonight, the I-Cubs defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes, 10-8

J. R. Mathes got the win, allowing six runs in six innings.  He allowed ten hits and walked one while not striking out an Isotope.  That's considered a good pitching performance at Isotopes Park.

Carmen Pignatiello got the save.

Third baseman Casey McGehee had a 5 for 5 night, with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

Daryle Ward got his batting practice in by going 3 for 5.  Andres Torres was 3 for 6 with a double.  Shortstop Andres Torres was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI.

Amazingly, the I-Cubs had 20 hits and only three went for extra bases, all doubles.  One of the doubles was by reliever Jesse Estrada.

Tennessee Smokies

Probably spent their off day at Dollywood.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs split a double-header with the Tampa Yankees, losing the first one 7-6 in eight innings and winning the second one 2-0 despite getting only one hit.

In the first game, Alex Maestri started and allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk in six innings.  Dustin Sasser, however, blew the save in his second bad game since being promoted from Peoria.  Sasser allowed two runs  of his own and two more inherited runners to score on four hits and a hit batsman.

Both second baseman Tony Thomas and shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.  One of Thomas' hits was a double.  Center fielder Jim Adducci was also 2 for 3 and first baseman Russ Canzler was 2 for 4.

In the shutout for the second game, Marcos Mateo got the start and pitched four innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two.  Jayson Ruhlman got the win with 2.2 innings of relief, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out five.  Matt Avery got his first save of the season for Daytona.  Avery had previously recorded one save for Tennessee.

Catcher Blake Lalli had the only D-Cub hit in the second game, a solo home run.  It was his sixth home run of the season.

And if Lalli had just made an out on that pitch, the D-Cubs could have won a game that they were no-hit in.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were stung by the Burlington Bees, 4-1.

Audy Santana pitched four innings and allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits and a walk.  He struck out two.  The loss lowered his season record to 0-4.

Catcher Josh Donaldson was 2 for 3 with a double and a home run, his sixth on the season.  Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks stopped the Everett Aqua Sox, 7-4.

Josh Whitlock started and allowed two runs on four hits in three innings.  Whitlock didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Mark Pawelek got credited with the win in relief, although he really did not pitch very well.  Pawelek also allowed two runs in three innings.  He allowed two hits and walked four.  He did not record a strikeout.

John Muller got his second save.  Muller should not be confused with Jon Mueller, who pitches for Peoria.  Oh what the heck, confuse them.  What possible difference could it make?  :-)

Josh Vitters was 3 for 6 with two doubles.  Right fielder Drew Rundle hit a grand slam in the fifth inning.  It was his only hit in five at-bats.

Boise hitters walked 13 times tonight.

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs lost to the AZL Royals, 7-5.

AZL Cubs starter Chris Huseby made his first appearance of the season and faced five batters.  He walked the first four batters and hit the fifth one with a pitch.  When removed from the game, Huseby loudly complained "I can't believe you're taking me out of the game while I'm throwing a no-hitter!"

That was just an old joke.  Huseby did not say that to my knowledge.