Good night for all the #1 Draft Picks--well, not Cashner, he pitched great yesterday though.

And we're only going to say good things about the Hawks tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blown away by the New Orleans Zephyrs, 9-1.

Just when it looked like Mitch Atkins had turned his season around, stuff like tonight happens. Atkins didn't make it out of the first inning as he got rocked for seven runs on four hits, two walks and a hit by pitch in only two-thirds of an inning. At least both of the outs he did record were via the strikeout.

Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

Better news comes from AA, where the Smokies shut out the Carolina Mudcats, 6-0.

We talk a lot about Jay Jackson around here, but Casey Coleman has pitched every bit as well as Jackson has this season. Tonight Coleman had his best game of the year, throwing eight shutout innings and allowing only two hits and three walks. Coleman struck out four as he improved his season record to 9-3. Oh, he went 2 for 4 with the bat as well.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 3 for 5 tonight with two doubles and his seventh home run in AA. That's in only 104 ABs in Tennessee, too. Colvin scored twice and had two RBI.

Center fielder James Adduci had four singles in five trips to the plate. That led to three RBI. He also stole a base.

Second baseman Nate Samson was 3 for 5 and scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were grounded by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-4.

The Cubs have been very careful with Rafael Dolis, since he missed all of last season after having arm surgery. But it must  have been tough to take him out of the game tonight after five innings as he had a no-hitter going. He only walked one batter for his only baserunner and he fanned five.

Dustin Sasser pitched the final two innings and gave up the Cubs four-run lead. Sasser gave up four runs on five hits and a walk. He also allowed two inherited runners to score. He did strike out three.

DH Josh Vitters had his best game for Daytona tonight as he was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He had two RBI.

Shortstop Starlin Castro hit a solo home run in the first inning. It was his third homer of the season. Castro was 1 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were chopped down by the Beloit Snappers, 4-2.

Starter Marcus Hatley took the loss, giving up three runs on five hits over three innings. He walked one and didn't strike anyone out.

For the rehabbers, Aramis Ramirez was 1 for 2 with a walk. Reed Johnson was 1 for 4 and scored a run.

For the real minor leaguers, left fielder Nelson Perez had a solo shot that was his eighth home run on the season. Perez was 1 for 4.

Catcher Michael Brenly was 3 for 4 with a double.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks blew a five-run lead in the top of the ninth. Then the gave up a run in the top of the tenth. But they came back with two runs in the bottom of the tenth to stun the Eugene Emeralds, 9-8 in ten innings.

Let's see, good stuff about the pitching staff. Dionis Nunez threw two shutout innings in the sixth and seventh, allowing only one batter to reach by the hit by pitch and then promptly getting the next batter to hit into a double play. He also struck out two.

Third baseman George Matheus was 3 for 4 with four RBI, including the game-ending single that scored two, although the winning run scored on a throwing error on the play.

DH Jae-Hoon Ha went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Ha had one RBI and scored three times. And I shudder to think what Ron Santo would say if he even made the major league team.

Just to finish out the #1 Draft picks, Brett Jackson was 1 for 4 with a walk. Jackson scored once and had one RBI.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.