I'll try to do this as a story rather than as a front page fanpost like I did last night. Maybe I should do these a little earlier in the evening.
Full schedule again tonight.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs scored six in the seventh and five in the eighth to triumph over the cacophony of the Nashville Sounds, 11-4.
Esmailin Caridad started and allowed four runs on nine hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Justin Berg got his fourth win with an inning of scoreless relief. A runner reached on an error, but Berg promptly got the next batter to hit into a double play to end the inning.
First baseman Matt Craig hit home run number four, a three-run homer, in that six-run seventh. Craig went 2 for 4 and scored twice.
Second baseman Nate Spears didn't enter the game until the sixth inning, but he was 2 for 3 with a double and four RBI. Right fielder So Taguchi was 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Aaron Miles was 0 for 3 in his rehab start.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies blotted out the Jacksonville Suns, 9-2.
Jeremy Papelbon had a great start tonight, allowing only one run on three hits over five innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five. But Alex Maestri got the win with a perfect inning of relief, striking out one.
Catcher Welington Castillo has had a miserable season, but tonight he banged out three hits, including two doubles, in five at bats. He scored once and had three RBI.
Third baseman Marquez Smith went 2 for 3 with two walks. He had three RBI and scored once. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. He also stole a base.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs fell to the Tampa Yankees, 5-3.
Starter Dan McDaniel saw his record fall to 5-7 by allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings. McDaniel also walked three and struck out one. One of the four runs was unearned, but it was his error, so he can't complain.
Center fielder Tony Campana and Robinson Chirinos were both 2 for 3. Chirinos also drew a walk and Campana earned himself an umpire ejection in the fifth inning.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs were flooded by the West Michigan Whitecaps, 11-7.
Marcus Hatley's evening only lasted two innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits, including two home runs. He failed to strike anyone out and walked one.
Chris Siegfried took the loss in relief. He gave up four runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Siegfried walked three and struck out two.
First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with his ninth home run of the year. Ridling scored once and had two RBI. He also walked once.
Right fielder Kyler Burke hit his seventh homer in the third inning. Burke was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and the one RBI.
Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored, but Bob will probably be bragging about him stealing home tonight. It was the back end of a double-steal with shortstop Junior Lake taking second base. Lake was 2 for 4 with a run.
Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5.
Boise Hawks
The Hawks' offense exploded tonight in a 14-5 drubbing of the Yakima Bears.
Starter Josh Whitlock got his first start of the season tonight and he made it a great one. Whitlock only allowed one hit in four shutout innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four. He didn't get the win because he didn't go five, so the win went to Eduardo Figueroa, who allowed two runs over two innings. Does that rule make sense to anyone?
When June ended, Logan Watkins was hitting .231. After he went 5 for 6 tonight with a double, his average has risen to .344. Watkins scored three times and had one RBI. Watkins is 16 for 23 over the past five games. I think that's what they mean by "in a zone."
Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. Lee had four RBI and scored twice. Second baseman George Matheus was 3 for 5 and scored twice.
Center fielder Brett Jackson was only 1 for 2, but he walked four times. It wasn't the opposing pitchers either, since the rest of the Hawks only had one walk.
First baseman Justin Bour homered for the first time for Boise. He was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI.
Catcher Richard Jones had a double and four RBI in a 2 for 6 game. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
AZL Cubs