The Cubs' Matt Szczur played in the Future's Game today, won by the US team over the World team, 6-4. Szczur was 0 for 1 at the plate and ESPN announcer Gary Thorne had no idea how to pronounce his name. He was interviewed about his bone marrow donation and his decision to choose baseball over football. He said that his injury during his senior season playing football at Villanova played a role in the decision to play baseball.
He'll report to Daytona this week.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs lost their seventh straight game, 2-1 to the New Orleans Zephyrs. (Marlins)
Alberto Cabrera pitched five shutout innings to start the game. He gave up five hits and walked two. He struck out three.
Scott Maine entered the game in the bottom of the ninth. He walked the first two batters he faced, then made an error on a sacrifice bunt to load the bases and next gave up the game-ending single, all without recording an out.
The Iowa Cubs only had three hits today. Tyler Colvin accounted for all the scoring with a seventh inning solo home run, his sixth for the Iowa Cubs. Colvin was 1 for 4.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies were extinguished by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 6-4.
Ryan Searle only allowed one hit and no runs over his 5.2 innings. He did walk five, although three of them were in the sixth inning before getting removed from the game. Searle struck out eight.
Jeff Beliveau took the loss when he allowed three solo home runs in the eighth inning. Overall, Beliveau pitched one inning and allowed three runs on the three hits that all left the yard. He did not walk anyone and struck out one.
The Smokies only had four hits today, but they did walk seven times. Third baseman Josh Vitters was 0 for 2 with two walks.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs were rained out. They have a double-header scheduled tomorrow.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs detasselled the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels), 7-1.
Starting pitcher Starling Peralta got the win after allowing one run on four hits over 5.2 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
Left fielder Ben Klafczynski made his first game with the Chiefs a memorable one. He was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run. He had three total RBI.
Third baseman Greg Rohan went 4 for 5. He doubled once and stole a base. Rohan scored once and knocked one in.
Center fielder Rubi Silva went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice. DH Richard Jones was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks dried out the Everett Aquasox (Mariners) 3-1.
Willengton Cruz started, pitched five innings and got his first win in the US. He allowed only one run on three hits and two walks. Cruz struck out five.
Bryce Shafer threw a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth save. He gave up one hit. He did not walk anyone and struck out one.
The legend of first baseman Paul Hoilman continues to grow. He hit his fifth home run of the year with a man on in the bottom of the first inning. He came to the plate two more times and struck out both times.
Catcher Yaniel Cabezas was 2 for 3 and scored a run.
AZL Cubs