Boy, I picked a great day to turn off the Cubs game and get out of the house for a while.

Last night before my job gets a lot more difficult.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 8-6.

J. R. Mathes got the start this evening and allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. One of the runs was unearned. Mathes didn't walk a batter and fanned two. He did manage to steal two bases somehow.  A

Jeff Stevens got the loss in relief.  He gave up three runs on two hits and a walk while only managing to retire one batter. One of the hits was a home run. Maybe he remembered that he used to be a reliever in the Indians organization.

Ryan Freel was 2 for 5 with two stolen bases tonight. He scored twice and had one RBI. Personally, I think the Cubs are just stashing Freel in Iowa for as long as they can so they don't have to make a roster decision, because it's pretty clear he's ready to come back.

Right fielder So Taguchi was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies gave up a run in the top of the ninth, but roared back with two in the bottom of the inning to deep fry the Carolina Mudcats, 8-7.

starter Hung-Wen Chen allowed four runs in his five inning start, although only two of the runs were earned. Chen gave up five hits, walked two and struck out three.

Jon Gaub go the win after allowing the run in the top of the inning. Gaub pitched two innings and surrendered three hits. Gaub walked one and struck out one.

Guess who the best hitter on the Smokies is right now? Yup, Tyler Colvin went deep again tonight, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. He struck out his other time at the plate and was promptly ejected for arguing the call.

Tony Thomas and Darwin Barney aren't bad either. Thomas was 2 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI. Barney was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

Did not play

Peoria Chiefs

In a messy game marred by 11 errors, the Chiefs outlasted the Burlington Bees, 12-10.

Marcus Hatley started and got tagged for eight runs in only three innings. Hatley gave up six hits and issued two walks while only striking out one.  Of course, only three of those eight runs were earned tonight.

Erik Hamren got the win, even though he allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the inning he pitched.

Chris Huseby didn't let his defense screw this one up for the Chiefs. He struck out the side, 1-2-3 in the ninth to record his sixth save.

Kyler Burke had another big night as he was 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. Burke had four RBI on the game. He also scored twice and didn't make an error.

Ryan Flaherty hit his ninth home run in a 1 for 4 night. The home run was a three-run blast in the bottom of the eighth inning that gave the Chiefs the lead. Flaherty also had a walk.

Center fielder David Macias was 2 for 4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored.

Just for the record, the Bees had six errors and the Chiefs had five.

Boise Hawks

Played Treasure Valley Community College. I have no idea what happened in that game.