Smokies pitcher Jay Jackson today tweeted that he's got a small crack in his leg an they're telling him that he's going to miss two starts. He adds "there is no way in hell im missin 2!!!"
And guess what catcher thinks he's Jake Fox or Josh Vitters?
Iowa Cubs
The I-Cubs were grounded by the Memphis Redbirds, 6-2.
Mitch Atkins' annus horribilis continued tonight as he was rocked by the Redbirds for six runs on ten hits over only four innings. Two of the hits were home runs. Atkins didn't walk a batter and he struck out three.
There may have been some dispute over the second home run, as manager Bobby Dickinson was ejected immediately after it was hit.
James Russell made his Triple-A debut a successful one, as he threw three innings of scoreless relief. Russell scattered four hits, walked one and struck out one.
The I-Cubs were terrible in the clutch tonight as they had 16 batters reach base (13 hits and three walks) and yet only scored two runs. That all thirteen walks were singles didn't help matters any.
Center fielder Sam Fuld was 3 for 5. Right fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. Third baseman Nate Spears had two hits and a run in five at bats.
Second baseman David Macias had an RBI in a 2 for 4 night. First baseman Doug Deeds went 2 for 5.
Tennessee Smokies
Someone please stop the carnage in Kodak. Tonight the Smokies lost their ninth game in a row with a 9-2 boiling at the hands of the Carolina Mudcats.
Hung-Wen Chen got shellacked tonight. He only lasted three plus innings after surrendering eight runs on eleven hits, including one home run. He didn't walk anyone thankfully and struck out three.
One of the runs Chen allowed was unearned. Oh, OK, that makes it not so bad.
Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Jonathan Mota hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth inning. It was his first home run this season.
The Smokies committed five errors tonight. Outfielders James Adduci and Ty Wright each made one, as well as third baseman Marquez Smith. Shortstop Darwin Barney made two errors.
Daytona Cubs
The D-Cubs have now taken three straight from the Sarasota Reds with a 4-0 victory tonight.
Starter Ryan Searle pitched to contact tonight as he scattered nine hits in 5.2 innings. He didn't walk anyone and fanned one to improve his record to 4-3.
Craig Muschko allowed only a walk over 2.1 innings of relief. Muschko also fanned one.
Catcher Robinson Chirinos hit two grand slams yesterday. For an encore tonight, he hit two more home runs, although his teammates didn't help him out any--they were a two-run and a solo blast. Chirinos now has seven home runs on the season. He was 2 for 4 overall with the three home runs.
Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4.
Peoria Chiefs
I know the "schedule" says it was an off day, but I happen to know that Josh Vitters went 3 for 4 with a home run off of losing pitcher Chuck Norris. Trust me on this one.