Iowa Cubs

As hot as the Chicago Cubs are, they aren't the hottest team named "Cubs" in baseball.  That honor belongs to the Iowa Cubs, who just won their sixth in a row against the New Orleans Zephyrs, 8-2.

Angel Guzman continued his strong comeback from Tommy John surgery.  Guzman pitched the first three innings and allowed no runs and only one hit and one walk.  Guzman struck out three.

Randy Wells got credit for the win with four innings of relief.  Wells allowed one run on three hits and two walks.  He struck out one.

Jose Ascanio threw a perfect ninth inning.

The big bats of Micah Hoffpauir and Jason Dubois connected again this afternoon.  Both players were 1 for 4 with a solo home run.  It was Hoffpauir's 22nd home run and Dubois 23rd.

Center fielder Andres Torres was 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.  Shortstop Luis Figueroa had a 2 for 4 afternoon with two RBI and a run scored.  

Catcher Tony Richie was 2 for 4 with two doubles and a run scored.  First baseman Matt Craig was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

Tennessee Smokies

It was "Turn Back the Clock" day for the entire Southern League today.  Unfortunately, that meant honoring the old blue laws banning the playing baseball on Sunday.  The whole league had the day off.

Daytona Cubs

They aren't as hot as the Cubs in Iowa or Chicago, but the Daytona Cubs did their part today by nailing the Jupiter Hammerheads, 8-2.

Maybe Jeremy Papelbon can be as starter after all.  Papelbon threw six shutout innings.  He gave up only two hits.   He didn't walk a batter and struck out one.

Todd Blackford picked up his first save of the year by throwing the final three innings.  Blackford allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks.  He struck out two.

First baseman Russ Canzler just loves August.  Today he was 2 for 4 with his twelfth home run of the year.  He scored twice and just had that one RBI.  So far for the month of August, Canzler is hitting .340 with five home runs and a .421 OBP.

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored.  DH Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 and also crossed the plate twice.

Third baseman Jonathan Mota had two doubles in a 2 for 4 afternoon.  He recorded three RBI and scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

Rebel Ridling's two home runs weren't enough as the Chiefs were cut down by the Clinton Lumber Kings, 8-5.

Josh Whitlock started and took the loss.  Whitlock allowed three runs on three hits over three innings.  He walked only two, but struck out three.

Rebel Ridling's two homers gives him eight in the Midwest League.  Ridling was 2 for 4 with four RBI. 

Right fielder Elvis Lara was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.  Second baseman Josh Harrison was 2 for 5 with a double.  Shortstop Nate Samson was 2 for 5 with an RBI.   First baseman Luis Bautista was 2 for 5.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks took too long to get their bats going and they lost to the Vancouver Canadians, 4-3.

Second-round pick Aaron Shafer was very impressive this afternoon.  Shafer threw five shutout innings and allowed only one single.  He didn't walk a Canadian and struck out six.

Marcus Hatley allowed three runs in two innings of relief.  Harol Tolentino took the loss by giving up a run after the Hawks tied up the game in the top of the ninth.  Tolentino allowed the one run on one hit and three walks over 1.1 innings.

DH Sean Hoorelbeke was 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and two RBI.  First baseman Ryan Keedy went 2 for 4.

Josh Vitters extended his hit streak to 23 games with a 1 for 4 afternoon.

AZL Cubs

Beat the AZL Mariners, 13-1.

I just spent the weekend with my brother-in-law from Seattle.  He would have just said "They are Mariners."