Don't let anyone tell you the Cubs are on a losing streak. Both Iowa and Daytona won tonight.

Last year's first round pick Javier Baez is on his way to Peoria. He's expected to play his first game on Monday. If you want to see him but can't get to Peoria, the Chiefs will be at Kane County next Saturday through Monday, June 2,3 and 4.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs plucked the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 6-4.

Frankie De La Cruz pitched the first five innings and gave up four runs on four hits. One of the four runs was unearned. He walked four and struck out five.

Ryan Rowland-Smith took the win with two scoreless inning in relief of Del Valle. Smith surrendered two hits, but he did not walk anyone and struck out two.

Mike McDougal pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save. The only baserunner was a two-out walk. McDougal did not strike anyone out.

The I-Cubs hit four solo home runs tonight, with one each going to the four that you most likely wanted to hit one. The first was hit in the first inning by catcher Steve Clevenger, who is still on a rehab assignment in Iowa. Clevenger went 3 for 3 with a double and the home run. He scored twice and just had the one run batted in.

Center fielder Brett Jackson slammed his first home run since May 17 in the fifth inning. Jackson also tripled in a 2 for 4 night. Jackson scored twice and had two runs batted in. Jackson now has five home runs this season.

With the score tied at four in the eighth inning, first baseman Anthony Rizzo gave the I-Cubs their first lead of the game with his league-leading 17th home run of the season. Rizzo was 2 for 4.

Finally, third baseman Josh Vitters added an insurance run in the ninth with his fifth home run of the year. Vitters entered the game in the sixth inning on a double-switch and went 1 for 2.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were chased up a tree by the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 3-0.

Trey McNutt started and took the loss after allowing two runs over four innings. He surrendered five hits and walked two. He struck out one.

Former Tennessee Volunteer Ty'Relle Harris made his first appearance for the Smokies since being hit by a car in Knoxville last June. He pitched two scoreless innings. He gave up no hits and walked one, but promptly erased the baserunner with a double play. Harris struck out two in his inspirational return.

The Smokies couldn't do much of anything against BayBears staff, led by starter and top Diamondbacks prospect Tyler Skaggs. Right fielder Michael Burgess went 2 for 3.

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It's my birthday today so after I finish writing this, I'm taking the rest of the night off. I'm telling you this now. So if you ask a question at midnight tonight, don't expect an answer by 2 am.

I was a Tony Zych meltdown away from having a pretty nice birthday present, as three of the four teams in the Cubs system won.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs made the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) blue, 2-1.

Rodrigo Lopez started the game, threw one pitch and was removed for an injury. (The pitch was a strike, though.) So Jay Jackson took over for Lopez and was pretty good, allowing but one run on three hits over five innings. Jackson walked two and struck out five.

Carlos Marmol pitched the sixth inning tonight on a rehab appearance. He gave up a walk and a double with one out, but then got a strikeout and a ground out to end the threat.

Scott Maine loaded the bases with two-out in the ninth inning, but got a foul out to end the game. Maine pitched two scoreless innings and collected his third win of the season. Maine allowed one hit and he walked two while striking out one.

The game was tied 1-1 going to the ninth inning when Luis Valbuena hit a two-out solo home run. Valbuena went 1 for 4. It was his sixth home run this season.

Steve Clevenger caught six innings tonight. He was 1 for 3 with a double and he scored Iowa's first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Brett Jackson.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies held the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) at bay, 4-3.

Eric Jokisch made his first appearance in Double-A this season a very good one. Mobile could only manage one hit off of him over five innings. The bad news is that he issued his only walk before it and the hit was a two-run home run. Those were the only two baserunners Jokisch allowed. He struck out three.

Alberto Cabrera allowed a lead-off triple to Evan Frey in the ninth and allowed him to score on a wild pitch. But that was still good enough for his fourth save. Cabrera allowed one run on one hit over one inning. He struck out two.

Left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha led off the game with his second home run of the year. Ha went 1 for 5.

Catcher Luis Flores also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Flores also doubled in a 2 for 4 game. Flores walked once and scored two runs.

Third baseman Matt Cerda was 0 for 3 with three walks. He stole a base and scored a run.

Center fielder Jim Adduci was 2 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base. He also exited the game in the eighth with an apparent injury after he was tagged out on a play at the plate. Adduci had one RBI.

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The Chiefs celebrated the tenth anniversary of the opening of their ballpark tonight. They also won, making them the only Cubs team to win since Tuesday. I think if everyone lost tonight I'd just make up better news.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs fell down the Tacoma Rainers (Mariners), 7-2.

Chris Rusin started and took the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits over four innings. One of the runs was unearned. Rusin walked four and fanned two.

Shortstop Luis Valbuena had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Valbuena scored once and had one run batted in.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4. DH Ty Wright was 2 for 3.

They kept first baseman Anthony Rizzo in the park today. He was 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies fizzled against the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 3-2.

Starter Dallas Beeler turned in a decent start, but got no support. He pitched six innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He was wild, however, as he walked five and hit one batter. He did strike out five as his record dropped to 1-4.

Center fielder Jim Adduci hit a solo home run in the third inning to tie the game at one. He now has four home runs on the year. Adduci was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 4. He now has a six game hit streak.

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I know this is the last thing any of you want to hear tonight, but everyone lost today,

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs couldn't climb the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 8-3.

Brooks Raley made his Triple-A debut and had some problems, giving up runs in four of the five innings he pitched. Raley allowed five total runs on six hits, although two of the runs were unearned. Raley walked three and struck out four.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run in the sixth inning; his 16th of the year. Rizzo was 2 for 4.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 3 for 4 with a double that just missed leaving the yard. Vitters had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies had their picnic baskets stolen by the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks), 8-6.

Nick Struck had a rough start tonight, giving up six runs in only three innings. Struck gave up eight hits, including one home run, and walked two. He added to his misery with two wild pitches. Struck fanned three as his record fell to 4-5.

Left fielder Rebel Ridling hit his fourth home run in four days with a man on in the first inning. It was his fifth home run this year. Ridling was 2 for 5.

Jae-Hoon Ha didn't start for the Smokies tonight for only the second time this year, but he came off the bench to pinch-hit his first home run of the year. It was a solo home run in the seventh inning. Ha stayed in the game and went 1 for 2.

James Adduci was 2 for 5. He scored once and batted two in. First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

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Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs whupped the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 18-8.

Chris Volstad made his first Iowa start and picked up a win after allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings. Three of those runs came in the sixth inning after Iowa was up 16-1, however. Volstad walked two and struck out six.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo hit his league-leading 15th home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the second inning. It went to the opposite field, as well. Rizzo went 3 for 5 with three RBI. He also scored all five times he came to the plate. (He reached on an error and a fielder's choice)

Second baseman Luis Valbuena also hit his fifth home run of the year in the third inning with Rizzo on base. Valbuena went 3 for 4 with a double, the home run and four runs batted in.

Right fielder Alfredo Amezaga went 2 for 6 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 5 with a double. Vitters scored once and batted one in.

Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs batted in. Left fielder Nate Samson went 2 for 5 and scored three times.

Steve Clevenger had two at-bats at DH in a rehab assignment. He was 1 for 2 and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were dispersed by the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks), 5-4.

Jeffry Antigua started because Brooks Raley was promoted to Iowa and Eric Jokisch had only two days of rest after his promotion from Daytona. Antigua did OK under the circumstances, although he did get the loss. Antigua allowed two runs on six hits over four innings. He did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Shortstop Junior Lake led off the game with his second home run of the season. Lake went 3 for 5, although he made two errors, including one that led to a crucial insurance run in the seventh inning.

First baseman Justin Bour went 3 for 4 and scored once.

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I'm diverting from my normal formula on the Daytona Cubs game to give you a detailed description of the wild end of the game. I'm doing this because it was a bizarre and thrilling game that can't be captured by just reading the batting lines and because I think we all need to read about a Cubs victory right about now. So be sure to follow the jump and read about the game.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs had a rocky time against the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 8-2.

Jay Jackson started and took the loss, primarily because he allowed two two-run home runs to Carlos Peguero in the first three innings. Jackson was pulled after three innings, having allowed six runs on nine hits, including those two home runs. Jackson walked one and struck out two.

Right fielder Alfredo Amezaga was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He scored twice. Catcher Juan Apodaca went 2 for 3 with two walks.

Second baseman Blake DeWitt was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies lost to the Mississippi Braves, 8-5.

Dae-Eun Rhee started and gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings. Rhee walked two and did not record a strikeout.

Brian Schlitter relieved Rhee and pitched an easy 1-2-3 seventh inning. But disaster struck when he walked the first batter in the eighth. A pinch runner promptly stole second base and the next Braves hitter, catcher Christian Betancourt, bunted the ball back to the pitcher. Schlitter went to third on the play and threw the ball all the way down the line and into the left field corner. It was so bad that the batter (remember: he's a catcher) was able to circle the bases for the go-ahead run. The Braves would go on to score five runs in the bottom of the eighth and put the game away. Schlitter took his second loss after allowing four runs, three of which were ruled earned, on two hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Left fielder Rebel Ridling hit his third home run in two days with a man on in the third inning. Ridling was 1 for 4 and now has four total homers this season.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 3 with two walks. He scored once with one RBI. Third baseman Junior Lake went 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored one time.

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Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Salt Lake Bees (Angels), 2-1.

Rodrigo Lopez was impressive over six shutout innings, allowing only one single. Lopez walked two and struck out five.

The I-Cubs only allowed three hits today, but two of them were back-to-back solo home runs against Nate Robertson. Robertston only pitched the seventh inning and took the loss with the two runs allowed. He did not walk anyone and struck out one.

The I-Cubs only managed five hits. Third baseman Josh Vitters was 1 for 3 with a double and a hit-by-pitch. He also scored the lone I-Cub run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies burned the Mississippi Braves, 6-3.

Trey McNutt started and collected his second win of the season with five innings of work. He allowed three runs on five hits, but only one of the three runs was ruled to be an earned run. McNutt walked three and struck out one.

Casey Weathers threw one scoreless inning and Kevin Rhoderick tossed two in relief of McNutt. Frank Batista got his sixth save with a perfect ninth. He did not have a strikeout.

Most of the Smokies offense came from left fielder Rebel Ridling, who hit two home runs today. The first was a two-run home run in the first inning and the second was a seventh inning solo home run. Ridling now has three home runs this year, He was 2 for 4.

Right fielder Jim Adduci also hit a solo home run in the second inning; also his third this season. Adduci was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.

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The Peoria Chiefs were playing the Cedar Rapids Kernels on the road tonight on "Star Wars Night." The Kernels were dressed in this Star Wars-themed uniform. My personal opinion is that those Wookie outfits are hideous, but the Kernels did attract their largest crowd in five years and the uniforms were all auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So I guess I'm willing to put up with bad taste once a year if it puts fans in the stands and benefits a good cause.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were stung by the Salt Lake Bees (Angels), 6-1.

Chris Rusin threw six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out four as his record dropped to 4-3.

Center fielder Brett Jackson led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple and scored two batters later on an Anthony Rizzo fielder's choice. That was the last run the I-Cubs would score. Jackson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies subdued the Mississippi Braves, 3-2.

Dallas Beeler pitched five innings and allowed two runs on eight hits. Beeler walked one and struck out two as he picked up his first win of the season.

Alberto Cabrera pitched the final two scoreless innings for his third save. He allowed three hits but did not walk anyone. Cabrera struck out three.

The numbers three, four and five hitters did all the damage for the Smokies today. Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. Ha scored one run.

Number four hitter and left fielder Rebel Ridling was 2 for 3 with two walks. Ridling had one RBI and also scored once. The fifth place hitter, first baseman Justin Bour, was 2 for 4 with a double that scored two in the fourth inning.

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