I'm going to repeat something I tweeted earlier this evening: The Smokies are awesome this season. They've got the best record in all of baseball at 12-2. They're not being up on bad teams either--their opponents so far are 18-10 when not playing the Smokies. Starlin Castro's star just keeps rising. I hope that makes you feel a little better tonight.
Also, Josh Vitters busted out tonight.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 6-5, in 10 innings.
Mike Parisi started allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. Both runs scored on a two-run home run. Parisi walked two and struck out three.
John Gaub took the loss after he allowed three straight singles to start the 11th inning. Gaub entered the game in the eighth and was credited with allowing one run on four hits over 1.1 innings. He walked one and struck out one.
The I-Cubs scored five runs in the first inning and then were shut down for the next nine. Catcher Welington Castillo hit a two-run home run, his third on the year. He was 1 for 5 tonight. Right fielder Brad Snyder doubled in a 3 for 4 game. He scored once and knocked two in. He also stole a base. Matt Camp was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies swept a double-header from the Carolina Mudcats, 7-3 and 8-1.
In the first game, Austin Bibens-Dirkx threw five shutout innings, allowing only two hits and two walks. He struck out four. Alex Maestri blew the lead, but ended up getting the win. Maestri tossed two innings and allowed three runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out one.
Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Right fielder Brandon Guyer hit a double in a 2 for 4 night. Guyer had two RBI.
In the second game, Hung-Wen Chen shut down the Mudcats for six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. The one run scored on a solo home run. Chen struck out two and didn't walk anyone en route to his third win in three starts.
Castro went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk in the second game. He scored two runs, although if you're really looking for negatives, he was thrown out stealing for the third time in seven attempts this season. Castro is now batting .404 with a .426 OBP and a .649 SLG.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs triumphed over the Tampa Yankees, 9-6.
Starting pitcher Ryan Searle only went three innings this evening, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out four.
Searle did leave the game with the lead, however, so the win went to Oswaldo Martinez, who relieved him in the fourth inning. Martinez allowed one run on two hits over 2.1 innings. Martinez walked three and struck out two.
Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his first two home runs of the season tonight: a third inning solo shot and a two-run bomb in the seventh. Vitters was 3 for 4 with three runs scored and four RBI on the evening.
First baseman Matt Spencer went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 4 with a double. Center fielder Brett Jackson was 1 for 3 with two walks and a run scored.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs escaped the clutches of the Kane County Cougars, 6-4.
Starting pitcher Su-Ming Jung picked up his third win in three games with five shutout innings. He gave up only three singles. Jung walked two and struck out four.
The Chiefs had a 6-1 lead in the ninth, but Corey Martin got into trouble and allowed three runs and had the tying run come to the plate with two outs when he was lifted for James Leverton. Leverton struck out the final Cougar to end the game and collect his second save.