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It wasn't a good TV debut for Iowa, but it was certainly an exciting one. And everyone on Twitter got a big kick from the #KrisBryantFacts hashtag. For example, "Ted Lilly asks Kris Bryant for advice." #KrisBryantFacts
Everyone lost today, but somehow the Iowa game seems like a win, even though they played like crap.
Iowa Cubs
In case you weren't watching the game on the CBS Sports Network, the Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 4-0. The story of this game was that Arismendy Alcantara broke up a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth.
Iowa starter Tsuyoshi Wada got the loss after he gave up four runs on eight hits, including a solo home run in the first inning. Wada pitched six innings and he struck out eight while walking two.
Memphis starter Tim Cooney only allowed one baserunner before the ninth inning, a fifth inning walk to Ryan Kalish. With one out in the ninth, pinch-hitter Jonathan Mota hit a hard liner into the gap in right-center, but right fielder Stephen Piscotty tracked it down. With two outs in the ninth and the Cubs without a hit, Matt Szczur walked. Then Arismendy Alcantara hit a hard ground ball past third baseman Jermaine Curtis to break up the no-hitter.
And there was much rejoicing.
The Iowa Cubs were last no-hit on June 25, 2002 by Jamie Arnold of Calgary.
The Cubs failed to score in the top of the seventh inning in the game that was suspended last night. They lost 2-1.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies lost their fourth straight game to the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), 4-3.
Joe Gardner made his second Smokies start even better than his first. He gave up only one hit over 6.1 innings. Gardner walked two and struck out two.
Gardner was pulled with one out in the seventh, presumably because he hit a pitch limit. He was relieved by Lendy Castillo, who faced five hitters and allowed a walk, two singles and a walk before the next batter reached on an error. So Castillo got the loss after he allowed four runs, two earned, without retiring a batter.
The good news from this is that Kris Bryant hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his 16th bomb of the year. He was 1 for 4 with a walk. #KrisBryantFacts
First baseman Charles Cutler was 2 for 3. Shortstop Wes Darvill was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored, but he also made that crucial error in the seventh inning.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs were tarred and feathered by the Palm Beach Cardinals, 8-1.
Starting pitcher Starling Peralta took the loss when he gave up two runs in the fifth inning, one of which scored after he exited. Peralta's final line was two runs on three hits over 4.1 innings. Peralta struck out five and walked one.
Tyler Ihrig and Austin Reed both gave up three runs in relief, which turned a close game into a rout.
DH Chadd Krist was 2 for 4.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars were shut out by the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 5-0.
Starter Tyler Skulina got the loss after he allowed two runs on two hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out one.
DH Ben Carhart was 3 for 3. Catcher Cael Brockmeyer was 3 for 4.