Just to remind everyone that the "Border Battle" between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs at Miller Park is tomorrow night. Let's make Miller Park O'Brien Field North!
Iowa Cubs
The I-Cubs nullified the Albuquerque Isotopes, 6-0.
Starter J. R. Mathes was moved into the rotation with Samardjiza's promotion, and he made his first start count. Mathes pitched six innings and allowed only a mere two singles. He didn't walk anyone and he struck out one. Mathes improved his record to 3-1.
The I-Cubs bullpen finished off the shutout. Jason Waddell, Jeff Stevens and Kevin Hart each threw a shutout inning.
Third baseman Bobby Scales hit his second home run of the year tonight. Scales was 1 for 3 with a walk and two RBI. Shortstop Andres Blanco was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.
Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and a stolen base. Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies defeated the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 6-2.
Starter Casey Coleman's good start to the season continued tonight as he improved his record to 3-0. Coleman tossed six innings and allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked three.
Relievers Vince Perkins and Blake Parker each threw another shutout inning tonight. Both struck out two Diamond Jaxx. Perkins allowed two hits, but Parker was perfect. Neither one has allowed a run yet this season--Perkins in 7.1 innings and Parker in 5.1.
The big story in Tennessee so far this season has been second baseman Tony Thomas, and tonight was no exception. Thomas hit his fourth home run of the year tonight in a 3 for 5 performance. Thomas scored three times, had two RBI on the home run, and stole his third base of the season. Thomas is now hitting .375 on the year.
Daytona Cubs
Did whatever young men in Daytona Beach do when they're not playing baseball. A scheduled off-day.
The report on Dan McDaniel's injury yesterday is that he felt "tightness" in his back during warmups. That's all I have so far.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs dropped a double-header to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 7-6 and 8-7.
In the first game, starting pitcher Chris Archer had some troubles finding the plate. Archer lasted four innings and allowed two runs on three hits and four walks. He failed to strike out a batter.
But he had a good day compared to Jose Piña, who allowed two earned runs on a walk and a hit without managing to record an out. The loss went to Josh Whitlock, who allowed three runs, two of them earned, in only two innings. He also allowed one runner inherited from Piña to score.
First baseman Rebel Ridling hit his first home run on the year in the first game. Ridling was 2 for 4 with three RBI in game one. He was 1 for 3 with an RBI double in the second game, making him 3 for 7 on the day.
Left fielder Josh Harrison was 2 for 3 with a triple. He scored once and batted one in. Center fielder David Macias went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored.
DH Kyler Burke was 2 for 2 with two doubles. Burke scored once.
In the second game, Wisconsin jumped all over starter Alberto Cabrera. Cabrera allowed four runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out one.
But he didn't get the loss, which went to reliever Mike Perconte, who allowed two runs on a two-run home run to elite Brewer prospect Brett Lawrie. Perconte allowed four hits total over two innings. He struck out one and walked nobody.
Left fielder Cliff Andersen was 1 for 2 with a walk and a triple with the bases loaded.