Daytona's Nelson Perez was named the Florida State League's Player of the Week today. He's been a big reason that Daytona has now won seven in a row and has the second-best record in all of baseball.
By the way, if you've got nothing to do the next few mornings, the Smokies play at 10:30am Central tomorrow and Wednesday. The Daytona Cubs will play at 9:30 in the morning Central on Wednesday. So crank up your computer and listen to the games on line with a cup of coffee.
Good night tonight for everyone but Iowa. But Iowa did their best to ruin the day.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were zapped by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins) 8-1.
Do we really need to discuss this game? OK. Ramon Ortiz started and got blasted for seven runs on thirteen hits over six innings. Hey, only four of the runs were earned. Ortiz walked two and struck out four.
Second baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies knocked the Huntsville Stars from the sky, 10-2.
Starter Alberto Cabrera improved his record to 4-1 with six solid innings. He allowed two runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out three.
Second baseman D.J. LeMahieu was the big bat tonight, going 3 for 5 with a double. He scored twice. Right fielder Matt Spencer also had a big night with two doubles in a 2 for 3 game. Spencer also was hit by a pitch and stole a base. He had two RBI and scored three times.
First baseman Rebel Ridling were 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Josh Vitters went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Shortstop Nate Samson was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees 11-7 for their seventh straight win.
Starting pitcher Brett Wallach had a rough start after his last good one, going 4.1 innings and allowing six runs on seven hits. One of the six runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out one.
Brett Ebinger picked up the win in relief. Ebinger had 1.2 scoreless innings, although he did allow one runner inherited from Wallach to scored. He gave up only one hit. He walked no one and struck out one.
First baseman Justin Bour hit his eighth home run in the second inning with the bases empty. Bour was 3 for 5 with three runs scored.
Third baseman Jake Opitz was 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBI. He also scored once.
Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He had two RBI and scored three times.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs swept the Kane County Cougars, 4-0.
Starter Cam Greathouse had some control issues, but managed to escape them without damage for his second straight win. Greathouse pitched six innings and allowed only two hits. The only issue was that he walked five. He also struck out five.
Alvaro Sosa made his season debut a good one. He pitched two hitless innings. He struck out one and walked one. Then Marcus Hatley struck out the side in the ninth to end the game.
Center fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 4 with a run scored. He also stole his tenth base and ninth base in nine games. Szczur has not been caught stealing this season.
Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 4.