Boy, I'm glad I didn't hang around for much of the Cubs game tonight.
Congratulations to Esmailin Caridad, who had to make his major league debut under some tough circumstances and didn't do terribly, all things considered. For those who don't know or who didn't read my post in the Caridad story, Caridad actually got into two games with the Hiroshima Carp in 2007, as he was signed out of the same Dominican baseball academy that Alfonso Soriano came out of. You got a good sense of his stuff tonight and his biggest problem--leaving pitches up.
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of good news to report tonight either. Chicago native David Cales was promoted to Iowa from Daytona. Congratulations, David, although . . .
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were abducted and probed by the Las Vegas 51's, 16-8.
Casey Lambert got the start because it was Caridad's turn to pitch, and he lasted three innings, allowing three runs on five hits. One of the runs was unearned. Lambert walked one and struck out three.
David Cales AAA debut didn't go well, as he gave up two home runs and five runs total in the 1.2 innings he pitched. However, only one of the five runs was earned as the Cub defense made four errors tonight. Backup infielder Matt Matulia came off the DL yesterday and got into his first game in a month (and only his second since Memorial Day) by pitching two innings. He allowed three runs too.
DH Matt Craig had a good game though. He was 2 for 5 with a grand slam and five RBI. The home run was his sixth of the year. Right fielder Brad Snyder also homered and doubled in a 2 for 5 effort. Snyder's home run was a sixth inning solo shot and he had two RBI total.
Left fielder So Taguchi was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 5 with a double. Shortstop Darwin Barney went 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The only good news today came from the Smokies, as they blitzed the Birmingham Barons, 11-4.
Casey Coleman got the win tonight, improving his record to 12-5. This was despite having allowed four runs on seven hits in only five plus innings. Coleman walked two and struck out two.
Brian Schlitter managed to notch a save in a game the Smokies won by seven runs. He retired all four batters he faced, two by the strikeout.
Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Center fielder James Adduci was 3 for 5 with a stolen base, and RBI and a run scored.
DH Blake Lalli had a double and two RBI in a 2 for 4 game. He also walked and scored three times. First baseman Russ Canzler also had a double and two RBI, although he went 3 for 4. Canzler also scored three times.
Daytona CubsThe Cubs lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 2-1.
Starter Jay Jackson continues to serve his penance by blowing away the Florida State League. Jackson threw seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits and one walk. Jackson struck out four.
Dan McDaniel walked a man and allowed a two-run home run in the one inning he pitched to take the loss. He did strike out the other three batters he faced, though.
Center fielder Brandon Guyer was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Third baseman Josh Vitters got in two at-bats tonight, going 0 for 2.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs were snakebit by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 1-0.
Aaron Shafer took the hard-luck loss tonight. He went six innings and allowed the one run on five hits. Shafer walked one and struck out three.
Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a double. Right fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 4.
Boise Hawks
The Hawks were mauled by the Yakima Bears, 5-0.
Starter Robert Whitenack allowed all five runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings. He walked two and struck out one.
The Hawk hitters had two hits and 12 strikeouts tonight.
AZL Cubs