Iowa Cubs
The I-Cubs downed the Memphis Redbirds, 6-2.
Greg Reinhard got the "emergency" start because of Jose Ascanio's promotion to the majors, and gosh-darn it if the former Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawk didn't throw a no-hitter. OK, it wasn't a no-hitter because he only threw four innings, but he didn't allow a hit or a run before leaving the game after only 41 pitches. Reinhard did walk one and struck out three.
Because Reinhard didn't go five (cue my rant on how the five-inning win rule shouldn't apply in the minors), the win was awarded to Vince Perkins. Perkins allowed one unearned run on one hit over three innings. He walked one and struck out two.
Right fielder Brad Snyder hit his eighth home run in a 2 for 4 afternoon. Snyder also had a double, scored twice and batted three in. Center fielder Sam Fuld was 1 for 2 with two walks and two stolen bases. Fuld scored twice.
First baseman Jake Fox returned to the lineup after missing most of the weekend after getting speared by the remains of a broken bat. Fox was 1 for 3 with a two-run triple. He scored twice and was also hit by a pitch.
Third baseman Kyle Reynolds was promoted from AA Tennessee and went 0 for 4. Reynolds was hitting .088 in AA prior to his promotion, just in case anyone thinks Reynolds could be a stopgap replacement for Ramirez.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies were edged by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 4-3 in 13 innings.
Hung-Wen Chen spent most of his five-inning start trying to dodge trouble. Chen gave up nine hits but only three runs. He struck out three and walked only one.
After that, the bullpen settled down until the 13th inning, allowing only one hit and one walk until then. James Russell threw two perfect innings, followed by David Cales retiring all four batters he faced. Jon Gaub allowed a single in 1.1 innings and Alex Maestri walked a batter in his two and a thirds innings pitched.
Finally, Jeremy Papelbon took the loss in the 13th inning. He allowed one run on two hits and two wild pitches in his inning.
DH Russ Canzler was promoted from Daytona and made a big splash by going 3 for 4 with a walk and two RBI. Third baseman Marquez Smith had three hits in six ABs. He also scored twice.
Right fielder James Adduci went 2 for 6 with a run scored, but he did strike out thre times, including to end the game in the bottom of the 13th inning with the tying and winning runs on base.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs were crushed by the Tampa Yankees, 8-3 in six innings. I'd like to say that the game was called by the mercy rule, but of course it was rain.
Starter James Leverton was battered around for four runs on five hits in only three innings. He walked one and struck out two. Henry Williamson gave up a run over two innings and Steve Vento got rocked for three runs in the one inning he pitched.
Right fielder Dylan Johnston was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. DH Ryan Keedy and center fielder Francisco Guzman made their 2009 debuts tonight. Keedy was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Guzman was 0 for 1 with a walk.
Peoria Chiefs
Off-day.