I'm starting a campaign today to get people to vote for Bryan LaHair for the Triple-A All-Star Game. LaHair is hitting .356 with 16 home runs and 49 runs batted in so far this season. The game is televised on ESPN, so it actually means something to these minor leaguers to get elected to this game. You can vote on-line just like you vote for the major league all-star game, except that you get to vote for pitchers too. You can vote for Bryan by clicking here or by going to milb.com. Feel free to vote for other I-Cub players if you want, but it would be an injustice if LaHair wasn't elected.
Although it has nothing to do with the Cubs, I also want to call your attention to the South Atlantic League game between the Kinston Indians and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers). Kinston won 3-2 in 23 innings.
Finally, I'm going to be traveling tomorrow night. Assuming the wi-fi in the hotel works right, I should still be able to do a wrap tomorrow night. But I have no idea when it will get done.
My draft wrap will post later this evening. first thing tomorrow morning.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were run over by the Round Rock Express, 9-2.
Starter Jay Jackson took the loss after giving up five runs on nine hits, including two home runs, over six innings. The positive part was that he didn't walk anyone and he struck out six.
If Scott Maine is getting recalled tomorrow, he's leaving the Pacific Coast League on a bad note. He allowed four runs on a grand slam by Chad Tracy. He was ejected after hitting the next batter he faced. He only retired one batter. He gave up two hits, walked one and hit two batters.
DH Welington Castillo hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. It was his sixth this season. Castillo was 2 for 3 with a walk.
Left fielder Ty Wright went 3 for 4.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies lost to the Carolina Mudcats, 8-3.
Starter Dallas Beeler took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits over five innings. Beeler walked one and struck out three.
Jeff Beliveau had an impressive relief effort, throwing two perfect innings and striking out five of the six batters he faced.
Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a walk. He had one RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 and scored once. Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 4. He had one RBI and scored once.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs speared the Clearwater Threshers, 6-1. The win reduced Daytona's magic number for a first-half title to 2.
Brett Wallach started and allowed one run on three hits over three innings. Wallach struck out three and did not issue a walk.
Eduardo Figueroa got the win because Wallach only went three innings, but he earned it with four shutout innings of work. Figueroa allowed four hits. He neither walked nor struck out a batter.
Second baseman David Macias hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. Macias was 1 for 4. It was his second home run this year.
Third baseman Matt Cerda was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored twice and had two RBI.
Left fielder Evan Crawford was 2 for 4 with two steals. He also scored twice. Shortstop Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 and scored once.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs swept the South Bend Silver Hawks, 6-1.
Austin Kirk improved his record to 4-2 with six shutout innings this afternoon. Kirk allowed four hits, he didn't walk anyone and struck out seven. He did hit one batter though.
Third baseman Greg Rohan was 2 for 3 with two RBI. He scored one run.
First baseman Richard Jones exited the game after being hit by a pitch in the arm. Jones was 1 for 1 with a two-run double.