You're going to be proud of our arms down on the farm tonight. Two teams allowed only thee hits each. And Jake Fox just keeps on rolling.
Iowa Cubs
The I-Cubs home opener tonight was a successful one as the Iowa Cubs blasted the Round Rock Express, 8-3.
Starter Randy Wells got the win with a yeoman-like five innings of work. Wells allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out six and didn't allow a home run.
Kevin Hart got back on track tonight by pitching the ninth inning and striking out all three batters he faced swinging.
Jake Fox continues his torrid start to the season even after leaving Albuquerque for Des Moines. Fox hit his fifth home run of the season, a fourth inning solo shot, in a 2 for 5 showing. Fox had two RBI.
Second baseman Bobby Scales had three doubles tonight. He was 3 for 4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Andres Blanco went 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Third baseman Luis Rivas went 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI. Left fielder Jason Dubois had a 2 for 4 night with a double, an RBI and a walk.
Right fielder Brad Snyder hit his first home run of the year tonight. He was 1 for 4 with a walk and two RBI. He also stole a base.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies defenestrated the Birmingham Barons, 9-0.
Casey Coleman had a dominating start tonight, going seven innings and allowing only three hits and a walk. He struck out four en route to his second victory of the young season. More importantly, his page on milb.com now has a picture of him on it rather than his dad, former pitcher Joe Coleman, who played with the Cubs in 1976. All last season it looked like the Cubs had a 61 year-old prospect toiling away down on the farm.
Jon Glaub and Jayson Ruhlman each threw a scoreless inning of relief without allowing a hit. Glaub walked one but struck out the side.
Shortstop Darwin Barney got moved into the three hole in the lineup and responded with a 2 for 4 night. He had a double, a walk, a run scored and a stolen base. The bad news on Barney tonight is that he made two throwing errors.
Right fielder James Adducci was 1 for 2 with two walks, a double and a stolen base. Adducci had three RBI and scored once.
Daytona Cubs
Daytona's pitchers also held the opposition to three hits and grounded the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 5-1.
Starter Dan McDaniel moved to 2-0 on the young season by allowing only one hit and one run over 5.1 innings. McDaniel struck out two, walked two and hit a batter.
Steve Vento closed out the game by pitching the final two innings. He allowed one hit. He struck out one and didn't walk anyone.
Catcher Mark Reed was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Center fielder Drew Rundle may have broken out of his early season funk by going 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
DH Tyler Colvin drew another walk in a 1 for 3 night.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs got some good starting pitching too, but the bullpen got plundered and the Chiefs were cleaned out by the Quad City River Bandits, 4-2.
Starter Chris Archer went five and allowed only one run on three hits and a walk. He struck out three and left with a lead that Alberto Cabrera couldn't hold. Cabrera gave up three runs over 2.1 innings. Cabrera gave up only one hit, but it was a home run. Additionally, he handed out three walks while striking out only one.
DH Josh Harrison was 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI. Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. The big question on Brenly: Will Bob mention Michael's throwing error tomorrow?