I now predict that there will be more comments on the photo I used than there will be on the minor leagues.
Everyone wins today! This fact is slightly tempered by the fact that Iowa also lost game one of the double-header.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs split a double-header with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies). They lost the first game 11-5 and won the second game 11-10.
In the first game, starter Jay Jackson was hammered for six runs on nine hits over five innings. Jackson walked three, hit a batter and struck out two.
First baseman Bryan LaHair was 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.
Right fielder Lou Montanez went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Third baseman Scott Moore went 2 for 3 and knocked one in.
In the second game, the Cubs got out to an early 6-0 and 8-1 lead, but had to hang on with the winning run on first base with two out in the seventh. Austin Bibens-Dirkx started game two and pitched four innings. He gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits. Bibens-Dirkx walked three and struck out six.
Since Bibens-Dirkx didn't go five, the win went to Chris Carpenter. Carpenter pitched one inning and allowed a run on a solo home run and two hits total. Carpenter walked one and struck out one.
Scott Maine collected his sixth save, but it was an ugly one. Maine pitched one inning and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out one.
Bryan LaHair followed his three hit first game with another three hits in the second game, including his ninth home run of the year. It was also his fifth homer in four games. In game two, LaHair was 3 for 5 with a double and the home run. He scored twice times and had the one RBI.
Second baseman Bobby Scales didn't play in game one, but he went 5 for 5 with a double in the second game. He scored twice and had one RBI. He also stole a base.
Right fielder Lou Montanez and left fielder Brad Snyder both hit two-run home runs in the second game. It was the fifth home run of he year for both of them. Both hitters were 2 for 5. Snyder hit his home run in the first inning and Montanez hit his in the second.
Center fielder Fernando Perez went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base in the second game. He scored twice and had one RBI. Third baseman Scott Moore went 3 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had two RBI.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies out-shined the Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 7-5. The win moves the Smokies back into first place with a 20-14 record.
Robert Whitenack improved his record in Double-A to 3-0 (and 5-0 overall) with the textbook "quality start." Whitenack went six innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out two. The walk was intentional. Whitenack also got his first professional hit; an RBI double in the fourth inning.
Rafael Dolis pitched the final two innings for his first save. Dolis allowed one run on one hit. He walked two and fanned one.
Ryan Flaherty had the big bat tonight, going 3 for 4 with two doubles and four RBI. D.J. LeMahieu was also 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.
Matt Spencer hit home run number seven tonight. It was a solo blast in the second inning.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs put a wrench in the plans of the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) 6-2 in 11 innings.
Jeffrey Lorick started this game and lasted five innings, allowing only one unearned run. He surrendered five hits and one walk while striking out three.
Ryan Searle got the final out of the tenth inning and then struck out the side in the eleventh to collect his first save. He did not allow a baserunner in his 1.1 innings.
Seven of the nine D-Cubs had one hit tonight, one player didn't get a hit and second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 5 with a bases-loaded ground rule double in that four-run eleventh. Watkins had two RBI total.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs smoked out the Burlington Bees (Athletics), 6-2.
Dallas Beeler started the game with three shutout innings. He allowed three hits. He did not issue a walk and struck out two.
Beeler was relieved by Robinson Lopez, who was awarded the win. Lopez pitched five innings and gave up two runs on four hits, including a two-run home run in the eighth. Lopez walked four and struck out four.
Second baseman Pierre LePage went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He knocked two runners in and scored twice himself.
Center fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 5 and scored a run.