My three-year old daughter has made it very clear that she does not like the AFLAC duck. Can't say as I blame her.
One thing I've noticed this season is that in light of the tragedy in Japan, my puns for the I-Cubs games against Albuquerque are extremely limited.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs fell to the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers), 10-7.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx struggled against the thin air and fat bats of Albuquerque. He allowed nine runs on nine hits, including three home runs, in only four innings. At least he threw strikes as he struck out five and didn't walk anyone.
First baseman Bryan LaHair had two doubles in a 2 for 5 night. He scored once and knocked in one. Scott Moore was 3 for 5 with a double, and RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Fernando Perez was 2 for 5.
Shortstop Matt Camp also had two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. Camp scored twice and had one RBI. Bobby Scales entered the game in the fifth inning and was 2 for 2 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies won their home opener as they burned the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 12-10.
Starter Chris Rusin struggled tonight, as did pretty much every pitcher in tonight's game. Rusin lasted four innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. One of the six runs was unearned. Rusin walked one and struck out five.
Blake Parker collected the win when the Smokies came from behind and scored three in the seventh and two in the eighth. Parker pitched two innings and allowed one run on one hit and a walk. Parker fanned two.
David Cales picked up his third save with a scoreless ninth. He walked one batter and struck one out.
The Smokies had 16 hits tonight and scored in every inning but the second. Every Smokie in the starting lineup had a hit except Josh Vitters, and he had two walks.
DH Blake Lalli was the hero of the game with a two-run double that gave the Smokies the lead in the bottom of the eighth. He also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, which was his first of the season. Lalli went 2 for 3 with two walks. Lalli scored three times and had the three RBI.
Center fielder Brett Jackson went 3 for 3 with a walk, a stolen base and a sac fly. Jackson scored three times.
Second baseman Nate Samson was 2 for 4 with an RBI double. He also scored once.
Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez hit a solo home run in the third inning, his first of the year. Gonzalez went 3 for 5 with three RBI.
Daytona Cubs
The D-Cubs lost their first game of the year as they were bitten by the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) 2-1.
Nick Struck started and pitched well in a no-decision. Struck went 5.2 innings and allowed only one run on six hits. He walked one and struck out three.
Jordan Latham got the loss in relief. Latham gave up a run on four hits over 1.2 innings. Latham struck out two and didn't walk anyone.
Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored the D-Cubs only run tonight.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs couldn't hive from the sting of the Burlington Bees (Athletics), 8-7.
Starter Austin Kirk only went three innings after he was tagged for five runs on four hits, two of which were home runs. Kirk walked two, hit a batter and struck out three. Two of the five runs he allowed were unearned.
Right fielder Smaily Borges went 4 for 5 with a double. He scored three times and knocked one in.
Second baseman Pierre LePage was 2 for 4 and scored once. Catcher Sergio Burruel was 2 for 4 with two RBI.
Center fielder Rubi Silva had a 2 for 4 evening. Silva also walked once, scored once and had two RBI. Silva has hit safely in all seven games so far this season.