Iowa Cubs
Thanks to a six-run eighth inning, the Iowa Cubs bricked the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros), 11-8.
Dan Straily and put Iowa in a hole as he gave up seven runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in only five innings. One of the seven runs Straily allowed was unearned. He did strike out seven and he walked three.
Marcos Mateo pitched the eighth inning and gave up a run on after a walk and a triple. But after Iowa scored six runs in the bottom of the inning, he stayed in the game and retired the side in order for his third win. Mateo struck out three.
The first run in the eighth inning scored on and Eli Whiteside solo home run, his sixth of the season. Whiteside was 2 for 4.
Later in the inning, Ryan Kalish gave the I-Cubs the lead with a three-run home run, which was his eighth of the season. Kalish was 3 for 5 with four total RBI and two runs scored.
Junior Lake had an RBI double in the eighth inning and scored on the Kalish blast. He was 1 for 5.
Rafael Lopez went 3 for 5 with a run scored. Jonathan Mota was 2 for 5 with three RBI and one run scored.
Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Elliot Soto was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies lost a doubleheader to the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 9-0 and 3-2. This result clinches the second-half division title for Chattanooga and eliminates the Smokies.
C.J. Edwards started game one and allowed three runs on four hits over four innings. One of those three runs was unearned. Edwards walked three and struck out one.
The Smokies had four hits in game one. Lars Anderson was 2 for 3.
In the second game, Smokies starting pitcher Pierce Johnson tried to do it all. He allowed only one run over the first five innings and exited after walking the first batter in the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead. Also, he had a two-run single that accounted for both of Tennessee's runs.
But Blake Cooper entered the game and allowed both Johnson's runner to score and one of his own to take the loss.
Johnson's final line was 5+ innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out five.
Cooper's final line was one run on two hits over one inning. He struck out one and did not walk anyone.
The Smokies will play one more game tomorrow in Chattanooga to end the season.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs trumped the Tampa Yankees, 6-3.
Starting pitcher Justin Amlung gave up a solo home run to the second batter he faced, and then gave up pretty close to nothing in the five innings he would pitch. Amlung allowed one run on three hits. He struck out one and walked no one.
Gerardo Concepcion pitched the ninth inning and got his first career save. He gave up a leadoff single, but erased him with a double-play to end the game, so he faced the minimum. Concepcion did not strike anyone out.
Shortstop Wes Darvill was 3 for 5 with two RBI. Third baseman Ben Carhart was 2 for 4 with two RBI and one run scored. Carhart also stole one base.
Second baseman Gioskar Amaya went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored once. Left fielder Rock Shoulders was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Here's a story on the memory game the D-Cubs played in the game.
This ends the regular season for the Daytona Cubs, and they finished with a 67-69 record. However, since they went 41-27 in the second half, that was easily good enough for a playoff spot. They start a best-of-three series with the Dunedin Blue Jays on Tuesday. Rob Zastryzny will take the hill for the first game. Scheduled to start in games 2 and 3 are Tayler Scott and Juan Paniagua.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars extinguished the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 9-2. The win eliminates Peoria from postseason contention and the Cougars will take on Wisconsin in the first round. It was also KC's 91st win this year.
Ben Wells pitched the first five innings and allowed two runs on only two hits, one of which was a home run. That sounds better if we don't mention Wells walked six. He struck out four.
All Michael Heesch got was a hold, but he pitched three scoreless innings. He gave up a double to the first batter he faced and then retired the next nine in a row. The first six of those outs were strikeouts.
Catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his eighth of the season. Brockmeyer was 2 for 5 with two runs scored.
Left fielder Shawon Dunston was 2 for 4 with a double and a sacrifice fly. He also stole his 27th base of the year. Dunston scored twice and had two RBI.
Right fielder Mark Zagunis was 2 for 4 with a double and he was hit by a pitch. First baseman Jacob Rogers also was 2 for 4 with a double, but he took the coward's way and got a free pass with four balls rather than taking one for the team. Rogers scored once.
Shortstop Carlos Penalver was 2 for 4 with two RBI and his 21st steal of the year.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks lost to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 4-3 in ten innings.
Starter Trevor Clifton allowed one run on three hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Trey Lang pitched the ninth and tenth innings and allowed a run in both innings. Lang gave up one one hit, but he walked four and had three wild pitches, including one that scored the go-ahead run in the tenth. Lang struck out two.
Left fielder Kevin Brown was 2 for 5 with two RBI.