Tonight I was watching the Brewers take on the Cardinals and as Yuniesky Betancourt came to the plate, I said to my wife "If Yuniesky Betancourt breaks up the no-hitter, it . . ." and that's all I got out before he slapped one through the left side of the infield. I was going to say he'd be the worst hitter ever to break up a no-hitter, but I have no idea if that's true or not. Anyone else know? Of course I mean in the late innings. I don't mean some game that Neifi Perez got to lead off the game and somehow beat out a slow dribbler.
In case you missed it, the Cubs released catcher Max Ramirez to activate shortstop Jonathan Mota off the disabled list.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs got blown away by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 11-5.
Starting pitcher Jay Jackson got knocked around for five runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings. Jackson walked three and struck out two.
Left fielder Lou Montanez went 2 for 4 with a double and his fourth home run this season. The home run was a solo shot in the seventh inning. Montanez also walked one and scored three times.
Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 5 with a stolen base and a run scored. Right fielder Brad Snyder scored once and walked once in a 2 for 4 evening.
First baseman Bryan LaHair was 2 for 5. Shorstop Jonathan Mota went 2 for 4 in his first game back.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies had their picnic baskets stolen by the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 5-4.
Hung-Wen Chen made the start tonight in place of Trey McNutt, who once again is battling a blister. Chen tossed three innings allowed four runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs that scored all four runs. He walked once and struck out two. One of the four runs he allowed was unearned, but it was his error. Somehow I think that shouldn't count.
Center fielder Brett Jackson hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was his fourth homer this year. Jackson was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 and scored once.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs gave up four runs in the ninth, but hung on to win 5-4 over Brevard County Manatees (Brewers) when right fielder Nelson Perez threw out the potential tying run at the plate.
Starter Nick Struck improved his record to 4-1 with six strong shutout innings. He allowed only three hits and three walks while striking out seven.
Frank Batista entered the game with two out in the ninth and runners on first and third. He gave up a single to right but the runner on first tried to score on the play and was thrown out. It was ugly, but it was Batista's eighth save.
Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored. In addition to the gave-saving assist, Nelson Perez was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. He also scored once.
Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 1 for 3 with a double and a walk. He also scored once. After not having walked in his first 16 games, Ha now has five walks in his last ten games.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs were just out-lasted by the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 5-4 in 14 innings.
This was a game that started out low scoring, saw a lot of runs scored in the seventh through ninth innings and then nothing until Clinton pushed a run across in the 14th.
Peoria's first starter was Austin Kirk, and he went 5.1 innings and allowed only one hit on six hits. He walked one and struck out six. Kirk is quietly putting together a great start to the season. His ERA sits at 2.17 after six starts and has struck out more than a batter an inning.
Then the game got interesting as the Chiefs took a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning, only to see Clinton tie it in the top of the eighth. The Chiefs got the lead again in the bottom of the eighth, only to see Marcus Hatley allow an unearned run in the ninth to tie it. Hatley pitched two innings and only had one hit. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.
Bryce Shafer relieved Hatley and took the loss when he gave up a run in the 14th. He pitched 3.2 innings and gave up the run on four hits and three walks. Shafer struck out two.
Shafer was relieved with two out in the 14th by third baseman Anthony Giansanti. He struck out the only batter he faced.
Right fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 5 with a walk and two RBI. He also stole two bases, giving him six in the past four games. Szczur has now stolen eight bases and hasn't been caught yet.
First baseman Richard Jones went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. He scored once. Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 5 and scored twice. Eliot Soto was 2 for 6. Catcher Sergio Burruel was 2 for 6 with a run scored.