Just want to remind everyone that we need to keep the scouting reports coming. After an initial burst, we haven't heard much recently about people seeing Cubs farm teams in person. You can contact me through the sidebar if you want further instructions or if you want to mail me a report rather than posting it yourself.
It's the everyone wins edition tonight! (OK, Peoria lost too.)
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs topped 15 runs for the third day in a row while running the Colorado Springs Sky Sox through the wringer, 17-4.
Jeff Samardzija got the start tonight and, after allowing a two-run home run in the first, settled down despite pitching in the thin Colorado air. The Shark pitched four innings and allowed only the two runs on six hits. He struck out three and best of all, didn't walk anyone. Samardzija was also 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Vince Perkins got the win after allowing two runs in 3.2 innings of relief. He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out five.
Jake Fox added to his minor-league leading HR total by jacking his 15th bomb tonight. Fox had a 4 for 6 night with a double and the home run. Fox scored three times and batted two in.
Right behind him in the home run chase is right fielder Brad Snyder, who went yard twice tonight for his tenth and eleventh homers of the season. Snyder went 3 for 6 with four RBI and three runs scored.
Think I forgot about Jason Dubois? Nope the left fielder also blasted two home runs tonight in a 2 for 5 evening. Dubois also walked once. He scored twice and batted three in.
Second baseman Matt Camp was "only" 2 for 4 and he didn't go deep, but he did have five RBI tonight. Camp doubled and scored once.
Center fielder Sam Fuld was 3 for 6 with a triple. Fuld scored twice and had two RBI. Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 6 with a run scored. Third baseman Kyle Reynolds went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. Reynolds scored twice.
Shortstop Andres Blanco was the only person in the starting lineup who didn't have two hits. Blanco was 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies burned down the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 7-1.
Starter Casey Lambert was magnificent for six innings. Lambert shut the Diamond Jaxx out on only one hit and one walk. Lambert struck out two.
Second baseman Tony Thomas led off the bottom of the first inning with his sixth home run of the year. Thomas was 3 for 5 tonight.
Third baseman Marquez Smith doubled three times in a 3 for 4 evening. Smith scored once and batted one in.
First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Brandon Guyer went 2 for 4 with a double.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Clearwater Threshers, 7-4.
Starter Ryan Searle pitched four innings and allowed two runs on four hits and three walks. Searle struck out two.
Jose Piña got the win in relief with 2.1 shutout innings. He allowed one hit, walked no body and struck out three. And yes, Piña did deserve the win in this situation.
Henry Williamson entered the game with two out in the ninth and the bases loaded. He struck out the only batter he faced to record his first save on the year.
Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was been hot lately, and tonight he added to his totals by going 3 for 5 with his first home run on the season. Wyatt scored three times, batted two in and stole a base.
Center fielder Francisco Guzman was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Second baseman Nate Samson went 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI.
First baseman Ryan Keedy went 2 for 3 with a hit-by-pitch.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs split a double-header with the Quad City River Bandits, winning the first 7-3 and losing the nightcap 4-1 in eight innings.
In the first game, Jeff Beliveau started and allowed only one run on one hit over three innings. Beliveau walked two and struck out six.
Chris Huseby got the win in relief. Huseby gave up one hit in two shutout innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
The Chiefs hit three home runs in the first game. One was by catcher Michael Brenly, who was 2 for 3 with a two-run home run, his first on the year. I bet you'd never know about Brenly's homer if you didn't read about it here.
First baseman Rebel Ridling's solo home run was his fourth of the year. Ridling was 2 for 3. The final home run went to second baseman Ryan Flaherty. It was his third homer. Flaherty was 1 for 3 with two RBI.
In the second game, starter Chris Carpenter was very good in a six-inning start. Carpenter allowed one run on four hits and two walks. Carpenter struck out four.
Reliever Erik Hamren took the loss in relief. Hamren allowed three runs in two innings.
Rebel Ridling doubled his pleasure in the second game by going deep for the second time today. It was a fifth-inning solo home run. Ridling went 2 for 3 with a walk in the nightcap and was 4 for 6 on the day.
Third baseman Josh Vitters was 3 for 3 in the second game and 4 for 6 total for the day.