I don't want to make anyone feel worse for having missed it, but I am assuming that none of you were one of the lucky first 400 fans who got five free packages of mayonnaise at tonight's Smokies game.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs derailed the New Orleans Zephyrs, 9-5.
J.R. Mathes evened his record at 3-3 tonight. He pitched six innings and allowed five runs, although only three of the runs were earned. One of the two unearned runs was on Mathes' own error though. Mathes gave us seven hits and one walk. He struck out one.
Left fielder Bryan LaHair hit a grand slam in the top of the first inning to give the Cubs an early 4-0 lead. It was his second home run of the season. LaHair would go 3 for 5 tonight with an additional double and six total RBI. He had four RBI on the season coming into tonight's game. LaHair only scored the one run.
Right fielder Brad Snyder also homered tonight, a solo shot in the fourth inning. Snyder went 1 for 5 with two RBI. Snyder now has five homers this year.
Shortstop Darwin Barney remained red-hot as he went 3 for 5 with a double and a stolen base. Barney scored twice. After the April 30 game, Barney was hitting .218. After tonight, Barney is batting .296.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies cranked out 13 hits and only one run as they fell to the Mobile Bay Bears 2-1.
Starting pitcher Craig Muschko threw six innings and allowed only one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out two. He was relieved by Jake Muyco, who took the loss tonight. Muyco allowed a run on a hit and a walk over one plus inning. He struck out one.
First baseman Blake Lalli went 2 for 3 with two doubles and a walk. Lalli scored the lone Smokies run. Right fielder Matt Spencer went 2 for 3 with a double and the lone Smokies RBI.
Shortstop Starlin Castro was 3 for 5. Catcher Robinson Chirinos went 3 for 4.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs turned the Lakeland Flying Tigers into flying kittens, 4-3.
Dae-Eun Rhee started and got the win. He pitched five innings and allowed one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out two. He also hit a batter.
Luke Sommer threw a perfect ninth inning to record his third save. He did not have a strikeout.
DH Josh Vitters went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.
I don't know why I'm going to bother to tell you this because you'll hear about it anyway, but catcher Michael Brenly went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 9-6.
Starter Robert Whitenack threw 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. One run was unearned. He walked two and struck out three.
Steven Grife picked up the win. He allowed one unearned run over 2.1 innings of relief. He surrendered two hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four.
Left fielder Greg Rohan went 2 for 5 with two RBI and a run scored. DH D.J. Fitzgerald was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Center fielder Jose Valdez went 2 for 4 with a stolen base, although he was also caught stealing once. Valdez now has 17 steals in 26 games. (He's been caught five times.)