The winning streak ended today. That's OK, I don't think I've ever had two days in a row when at least four teams played and nobody lost before yesterday.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs fell to the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 8-4. Probably because Ryne Sandberg was off in Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame ceremonies. (That's a joke, folks, although he is in Cooperstown.)
Jay Jackson started tonight and pitched well until his control abandoned him in the sixth inning. Jackson ended up pitching 5.2 innings and allowing four runs, three of them in the sixth inning. He allowed only three hits, but he walked six and hit a batter. He also had a wild pitch in the sixth inning. Jackson struck out three.
Carlos Zambrano had his relief appearance tonight. He pitched one inning and allowed no runs, thanks to a great catch by Sam Fuld. He allowed two hits.
Blake Parker took the loss. Parker allowed four runs on six hits over the two innings he pitched. Parker walked one and fanned one.
Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies kept on rolling by shutting down the Mississippi Braves, 5-3.
Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter went five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. One of the three runs was unearned. Carpenter walked four and struck out two.
Marco Carrillo threw one perfect inning of relief and was rewarded with his fourth win. He struck out one.
Luke Sommer pitched the ninth recorded his sixth save. He loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk, but got the 1-2-3 double play to end the game.
Third baseman Russell Canzler was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. He scored once and stole a base.
First baseman Blake Lalli went 2 for 5 with three RBI. Second baseman Tony Thomas had a double and scored a run in a 2 for 4 night.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs met the St. Lucie Mets and beat them 8-3.
Starter Chris Rusin got the win with the textbook quality start: three runs over six innings. He gave up the runs on six hits. Impressively, he struck out six and walked nobody. He did hit two batters, however.
Mike Perconte collected his fifth save by pitching the final three innings without allowing a run. Perconte gave up two hits and one walk while striking out five.
Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 4 with a triple and three RBI. He scored once. Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 4 with a walk. Reed scored once and knocked two in.
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was 2 for 5 with an RBI. He also stole his 13th base of the season.
DH Michael Brenly's hitting streak came to an end tonight, but you really can't blame him: He went 0 for 2 with three walks. What was he supposed to do when they decided to pitch around him? Brenly scored once.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs were made to look silly by the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, 8-3. (And when the Tin Caps make you look silly. . . )
Starting pitcher Ryan Searle took the loss. He gave up four runs on six hits, including two home runs, over only four innings. Searle walked four and struck out three.
Center fielder Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. Watkins had one RBI. Left fielder DJ Fitzgerald was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Boise Hawks
The Hawks were blown away by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 7-2.
Starter Eric Jokisch took the loss. He lasted only 2.1 innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out two.
Catcher Jeff Vigurs was 2 for 3 with a double and run scored.
Matt Szczur was 1 for 3 with a sac fly. Unless I've made a mistake, Szczur has played 14 professional games, 13 of them in Boise, and has at least one hit in every one of them.
AZL Cubs
Jeff Gray threw another two innings of perfect relief in his rehab appearance.