I'm not in the mood for a snappy introduction and I doubt you are either. There were some promotions today, although Bobby Scales is still on the Iowa roster despite physically being in Chicago.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were caught hibernating by the Memphis Redbirds, 4-3.
Starter Mitch Atkins took the loss, dropping his record to 1-2. He didn't pitch that badly, however. Although he allowed four runs over six innings, two of the runs were unearned. Atkins gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five.
Reliever Jeff Stevens pitched two shutout innings and didn't allow a hit. He walked one and struck out two.
Third baseman Matt Camp got promoted from AA today and promptly went 2 for 5 with a stolen base and a run scored. Catcher Chris Robinson had a 2 for 4 evening with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Shortstop Andres Blanco was 2 for 4, but also made the error that led to the two unearned runs.
Tennessee Smokies
Huntsville had a six-run fourth inning, but that wasn't enough as the Tennessee Smokies eclipsed the Huntsville Stars, 7-6.
Starting pitcher Casey Lambert only lasted 3.2 innings tonight and exited after allowing the six runs in the fourth inning. Lambert gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two. Three of the six runs he surrendered were unearned after a Tony Thomas error in the fourth.
Alex Maestri got the win in relief. He threw 1.1 innings without allowing a run. He did load the bases in the fifth inning on two singles and a walk before retiring the final two batters and stranding the three base runners.
Jeremy Papelbon and Blake Parker each threw two shutout innings. Papelbon allowed two hits. Parker allowed one hit, one walk and struck out one en route to his third save of the season.
Right fielder James Adducci went 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. Adducci scored twice and had one RBI.
Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Third baseman Marquez Smith was promoted from Daytona and was 1 for 5, but had two RBI.
Daytona Cubs
Daytona lost their third in a row to the Brevard County Manatees, 7-3.
Starter James Leverton had a rough evening. He allowed six runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings. In the bright side, he struck out three and didn't walk anyone.
Alberto Alburquerque pitched two shutout innings in relief. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out three.
Second baseman Nate Samson went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored, but also committed two errors in the field.
Peoria Chiefs
It's six wins in a row for the Chiefs as they hid their nectar from the Burlington Bees, 10-6.
Aaron Shafer didn't have the best of starts, but it was good enough to get the win and improve his record to 3-1. Shafer allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.
Chris Huseby is finally starting to show some promise this season. Tonight he threw two shutout innings. He allowed one hit, walked nobody and struck out three. Over eight innings of relief this April, Huseby has struck out ten batters and walked none.
In my pre-season preview, I said that left fielder Kyler Burke had failed the last two seasons in the Midwest League and that this was his last chance. The good news is that so far, he's not blowing it. Burke was 3 for 3 with two doubles and two walks tonight. He had one RBI and scored twice. Burke's final line for April this year is .327/.403/.600. He's still only 21, so he may be on his way to restoring his status as a top prospect.
Right fielder Nelson Perez is also 21, but he's been struggling so far this year. But tonight he busted out with his third home run of the year. Cruz went 2 for 5 with a double and the home run. Perez had three RBI.
Second baseman Josh Harrison was 2 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Catcher Luis Flores had a 2 for 4 night with two doubles and a walk. Flores scored one run.