The big story tonight is coming from Tennessee, so we'll start with the Smokies
Keep up the good work on voting for Bryan LaHair for the Triple-A all-star game as he's leading the vote. So are shortstop Jonathan Mota and Tyler Colvin. If you haven't voted yet, take five minutes to do so.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies became the first team in the history of the Southern League to win four straight half-season titles when they beat the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 4-3 in eight innings in the first game of a double-header. They lost the second game 6-5.
Brooks Raley started the first game and allowed two runs on four hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out five.
Rafael Dolis gave up a run in the top of the seventh and was looking to get the loss, but the Smokies scored one in the bottom of the seventh and one in the eighth to give him the win. Dolis pitched two innings and gave up the one run on two hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out two.
The Smokies clinched the title when left fielder Rebel Ridling hit a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the eighth. It was his tenth home run of the year. Ridling was 2 for 3 with a walk and two RBI.
The Smokies lost game two when they committed three errors in the sixth inning which lead to a five-run inning. Nick Struck took the loss. He pitched six innings and allowed six runs, but only one of the six runs was earned. Struck gave up seven hits and no walks. He struck out five.
Center fielder Matt Spencer crushed his 11th home run in the third inning. The solo home run went over 400 feet. Spencer also doubled in a 2 for 3 game. He scored twice.
Third baseman Junior Lake was 2 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. He scored twice.
Right fielder Ryan Flaherty doubled twice in a 2 for 4 game. Flaherty had one RBI.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs got all wet against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 6-2.
Casey Coleman started and took the loss. He gave up five run on eight hits over 5.1 innings. He walked four and struck out two.
Catcher Welington Castillo went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI. First baseman Bryan LaHair was 2 for 4. Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 3 for 4 wit a double.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs were shut out by the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 2-0.
Jeffrey Lorick pitched well and lost anyway. Lorick allowed only one run on a solo home run in the first inning. He pitched six total innings and gave up six total hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out three.
Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4. First baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 3 with a triple.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs were snake-bit by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 2-0.
Eric Jokisch was a hard-luck loser for the first time this season. Jokisch only allowed one unearned run on four hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out two.
Catcher Micah Gibbs was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.