Well, I guess I've got some good news out of Tennessee, if that makes anyone feel any better.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs laid an egg against the Memphis Redbirds, 5-4 in ten innings.
Jeff Samardzija went back to starting and wasn't terrible, but wasn't great either. Samardzija allowed two runs on three hits over three innings. Both runs scored on a two-run home run. Samardzija didn't walk anyone and struck out one.
Greg Reinhard continues to pitch well this year. Tonight, Reinhard had two scoreless innings of relief. He gave up two hits, walked no one and struck out two. Reinhard's ERA on the season is now 0.49 in 18.1 innings.
Kevin Hart took the loss after blowing his second save in the ninth inning. Hart allowed two runs over two innings, but the tying run in the ninth inning was unearned. He gave up two hits, one of which was the game-winning home run in the tenth inning. Hart did strike out five and walk no one in the two innings he pitched.
Shortstop Andres Blanco hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the I-Cubs a 4-3 lead. Blanco was 1 for 4 on the night, but it was his error that led to the tying run in the ninth.
Left fielder Jason Dubois was 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 3 with a run scored and two walks.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies beat the Mississippi Braves 5-2.
Marcos Mateo got his first win of the year in AA as he allowed two runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings. Mateo struck out four and walked only one.
Brian Schlitter got his third save with a perfect ninth inning. Schlitter struck out two Braves.
Manager Ryne Sandberg moved struggling center fielder Brandon Guyer into the leadoff spot tonight and he responded with three hits, including a triple, in five at bats. Guyer scored three times.
Shortstop Darwin Barney isn't struggling, and he kept it up tonight by also rapping out three hits, including a double. Barney had two RBI and scored once. Barney is now hitting .349 with a OBP of .400.
That was good enough for Barney to get his batting average (but not OBP) ahead of second baseman Tony Thomas, who "only" went 2 for 5 tonight with a double. Thomas scored once.
Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 4 with a triple. He's "only" hitting .356. Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4.
Daytona Cubs
The D-Cubs were devoured by the Clearwater Threshers, 11-6.
Starter Rafael Dolis was actually very good. Dolis pitched four innings and didn't allow a run. He got touched for only two hits and two walks while fanning six.
The D-Cub bullpen was a disaster. Henry Williamson allowed five runs, four earned, in two-thirds of an inning. Craig Muschko allowed two runs in and inning and Jake Muyco allowed four runs in two.
Catcher Robinson Chirinos was 2 for 4 with his third home run of the year. Chirinos scored three times and had the one RBI. DH Dylan Johnston hit his third home run of the season with a man on in the second inning. Johnston was 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs stoned the Ft. Wayne Potheads TinCaps, 7-1.
Starter Chris Archer was impressive in four shutout innings. Archer allowed only two hits while striking out seven and walking only two.
Archer didn't get the win because he didn't go five, but this time Alberto Cabrera was worthy of the win in relief. Cabrera also threw four shutout innings and allowed only one hit. He did have some control problems as he walked four and struck out only two. Cabrera's record improved to 2-1.
Catcher Michael Brenly rapped out three hits in five at bats tonight. Brenly scored once and had one RBI. How come we never hear about this guy?
Four Chiefs were 2 for 5, including third baseman Josh Vitters, left fielder Josh Harrison, first baseman Rebel Ridling and center fielder David Macias. Harrison had a triple, a run scored and three RBI. Vitters scored once. Macias scored once and had an RBI.