It's still really early, but the Smokies are just awesome. I really don't know what else to say other than it looks like Bill Dancy's boys are putting together something really special this year. It remains to be seen how much of this team will still be there in July and August, but right now there isn't anyone who can play with them. As of now, they're the best team in Minor League Baseball.
In important I-Cub news, Sam Fuld was activated and replaced on the DL with Jason Dubois.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs grounded the Memphis Redbirds, 5-0.
J.R. Mathes just shut down Memphis tonight with eight strong innings. He allowed only five hits and most importantly, he didn't walk anyone. Mathes struck out three.
Center fielder Matt Camp went 4 for 5 with a double. He had one RBI. Shortstop Darwin Barney hit two doubles in four ABs. Barney scored twice and hit two RBI.
Right fielder Brad Snyder was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Left fielder Bryan LaHair was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies improved their record on the season to 13-2 by deep-frying the Carolina Mudcats, 16-7.
Starting pitcher Craig Muschko wasn't great, but he didn't need to be to pick up the win. Muschko pitched six innings and gave up five runs on six hits, including two home runs. Muschko struck out six and walked only one.
Every Smokies hitter in the starting lineup had at least one hit, including Muschko, who was 2 for 4 and scored twice. But the big bat belonged to left fielder Ty Wright. Wright hit two home runs tonight and had seven total RBI. The first home run was a third inning two-run home run and the second was a fifth inning three-run home run. Overall, Wright was 3 for 5 with a walk. Wright now has three home runs this season.
Catcher Robinson Chirinos hit his fourth home run tonight with a man on in the first inning. Chirinos went 1 for 4 with two walks. He also scored twice.
Center fielder Brandon Guyer had a 2 for 4 evening with a double and a walk. Guyer scored three times and stole his seventh base of the year.
Oh yeah. Starlin Castro. He just went 3 for 4 with a double and a triple. Castro had three RBI and scored three times. Castro's now hitting .426 this season and is slugging .705.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs got trounced by the Tampa Yankees, 11-3.
Brooks Raley hadn't been scored upon in his first two starts this season. That all changed tonight. Raley only lasted 2.2 innings and allowed all eleven runs. He got knocked around for twelve hits and he walked four. Three of the eleven runs were unearned. Raley struck out three.
DH Matt Spencer was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs got cleaned out by the Quad City River Bandits, 5-1.
Robert Whitenack saw his record drop to 2-1 tonight. He gave up four runs on six hits over four innings. Whitenack walked four and struck out four.
The Chiefs batters only managed three singles tonight. The River Bandits had to make two errors on one play in the eighth inning for the Chiefs to score a run.