Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs' rally in the ninth inning fell short as they were dammed up by the Portland Beavers, 5-4.
Starter Jay Jackson didn't pitch badly, although he did get tagged with the loss. Jackson pitched six innings and allowed three runs on six hits, although one of the three runs allowed was unearned. Jackson didn't walk anyone and struck out four.
Third baseman Marquez Smith hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, his eighth of the season. Smith was 2 for 4 with three RBI.
The Iowa Cubs rallied from being down 5-0 in the eighth inning with Smith's homer and two more runs in the ninth. The I-Cubs had the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth when pinch hitter Matt Camp struck out to end the game.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies shut out the Huntsville Stars, 2-0 for their eighth win in a row.
Rafael Dolis pitched the first five innings and surrendered only five hits. Dolis walked two and struck out five.
After Marco Carrillo pitched two hitless innings, Blake Parker got the save by pitching the final two innings. Parker gave up one hit, walked no one and struck out four.
The Smokies only had four hits, but that was enough. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored.
The Smokies now have a six game lead in their division and look like a solid bet to win both halves of their divisional race.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs trumped the Tampa Yankees, 6-3.
Alberto Cabrera started and took the win, going 5.2 innings and giving up two runs on four hits, but mainly on a two-run home run. Cabrera only walked one and impressively whiffed eight Yankees.
Third baseman DJ LeMahieu stayed hot, going 2 for 4 with four RBI. He also scored once.
First baseman Rebel Ridling had two doubles in a 2 for 4 night. He had one RBI.
Center fielder Jose Valdez was 2 for 2 and was hit by pitch twice. He stole a base and scored three times. Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was also 2 for 4.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs were outlasted by the Beloit Snappers, 7-4 in 11 innings.
Marcus Hatley started and gave up three runs over 1.2 innings. One of the three runs was unearned. Hatley was touched for three hits. He walked two and struck out no one. Hatley has been on a strict pitch count.
Nick Struck then took over as scheduled and was great, throwing 6.1 shutout innings. He gave up only four hits. Struck walked one and struck out six.
Steven Grife pitched the top of the eleventh and allowed three runs on four hits to take the loss.
The Chiefs were down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth when Nelson Perez hit a game-tying, pinch hit home run. It was Perez's eighth home run this season. He stayed in the game and was 1 for 2.
The Chiefs were then down 4-3 in the bottom of the tenth when left fielder DJ Fitzgerald hit a game-tying home run. It was his fifth on the season. Fitzgerald went 2 for 5 and scored twice.
Third baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He had one RBI. First baseman Justin Bour went 2 for 4 with a walk.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks cleaned up the Tri-City Dust Devils, 4-3.
Juan Yasser Serrano improved his record to 5-1 with a five inning start. He gave up only one run on a solo home run and three total hits. Serrano walked one and struck out four.
Aaron Kurcz collected his fifth save with a perfect ninth. He struck out one.
DH Richard Jones was a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks. Jones scored twice. Left fielder Jesus Morelli was 2 for 4.
AZL Cubs