Casey Lambert got promoted to Iowa to replace the released Jason Waddell.
I'd plug the I-Cubs "Road to Wrigley" game this Sunday, but something tells me that Len and Bob have done that enough and that you're all aware of it by now.
Iowa Cubs
They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and had the bases loaded with two outs, but in the end the Iowa Cubs folded against the Reno Aces, 6-5.
Starter James Russell took the loss tonight as he gave up three runs on six hits over four innings. Russell didn't walk a batter and struck out two.
Third baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 4. Bobby Scales entered the game in the seventh inning during a double switch and went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies were subjugated by the Birmingham Barons, 2-0.
Starter Chris Carpenter was perfect through four innings tonight. But he walked the first batter in the fifth, who then scored after a stolen base and a single by the next batter. Carpenter was then removed from the game, taking the loss despite allowing only the one run on one hit over the four plus innings. Carpenter struck out five.
Dustin Sasser allowed one run over three innings of relief in his AA debut.
The Smokies only managed three hits tonight.
Daytona Cubs
The D-Cubs were beached by the Brevard County Manatees, 6-3.
Starter Ryan Searle took the loss, allowing three runs over three innings. Only one of the runs was earned, however. Searle gave up three hits, walked two and struck out one.
Second baseman Nate Samson was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez had a rough night. He made three throwing errors during the game.
Peoria ChiefsThe Chiefs ran over the Beloit Snappers, 7-2.
The Cubs may actually have something in Austin Biebens-Dirkx. Tonight ABD improved his record to 4-1 with seven strong innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, and one of the runs was unearned. He walked one and struck out eight. Biebens-Dirkx lowered his ERA to 2.18, which I believe justifies promoting him to the majors immediately so that Al has to type his name from now on.
The Chiefs hit three home runs tonight. DH Ryan Flaherty jacked his 15th of the season. It was a ninth inning solo homer. Flaherty was 1 for 4. Shorstop Junior Lake hit his sixth home run in the fourth inning with two men on. Lake was 2 for 4. Finally, third baseman Jovan Rosa hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Rosa was 1 for 5.
First baseman Rebel Ridling had two doubles in a 3 for 5 effort. Ridling had one RBI. Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 4 with a run scored. and a stolen base. Left fielder David Macias went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice.
Boise Hawks
The Hawks got run through the ringer by the Everett Aqua Sox, 4-0.
Starter Christopher Rusin took the real hard-luck loss tonight. He allowed only one unearned run over five innings. He gave up just two singles, didn't walk anyone and struck out six. He did hit one batter, however.
The Hawks only had three hits tonight as well.
AZL Cubs