Announcement: There will be no Minor League Wrap tomorrow night because there are no minor league games. MLB doesn't want any competition for the All-Star Game and except for the South Atlantic "Sally" League, all of the minor leagues have obliged this year.
Iowa Cubs
All-Star Break.
The Triple-A All-Star Game will take place this Wednesday at Werner Park, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers. The game will be televised on the MLB Network at 7 pm Central Time. Arismendy Alcantara and Carlos Pimentel will represent the I-Cubs on the Pacific Coast League Team.
On Thursday at 7pm, the Iowa Cubs game against the Memphis Redbirds at Principal Park in Des Moines will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. This will be the only game on TV that night, so we'll have a preview and a game thread. (They'll probably be one and the same.)
So you have two chances this week to see I-Cubs players in action.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers), 9-2.
The rough season continues for Rob Zastryzny, whose record dropped to 0-3 after he allowed four runs on six hits over his 4.1 inning start. Zastryzny walked five and struck out two.
Rafael Soriano did pitch an inning in this game. He allowed neither a run nor a hit, but he did walk two while striking out one. The other two outs came with a double play.
Shortstop Elliot Soto was 1 for 3 with a walk. He doubled and scored in the third inning.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans cleaned up the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 5-0.
Paul Blackburn made his first start in over a month and tossed three scoreless inning on only 33 pitches. He gave up two hits. Blackburn struck out two and walked no one.
Brad Markey got the win because Blackburn didn't go five, but he really deserved the win anyway. Markey went 4.2 innings and allowed just two hits. Markey struck out four and did not issue a walk.
First baseman Jacob Rogers had a big night, going 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI.
Third baseman Chesny Young went 2 for 4 and scored twice.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs capsized the Lake County Captains (Indians), 8-1.
Zack Hedges kept the Captains in check for seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits. Hedges struck out seven and walked three.
Right fielder Jeffrey Baez hit his third home run of the season in the sixth inning with a man on. Baez finished the night 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI. He also stole a base.
Center fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 5 with a triple and he scored twice.
First baseman Gioskar Amaya went 2 for 3 with a walk. Second baseman David Bote was 2 for 4 and scored twice.
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds were left coughing by the Tri-City Dust Devils (Padres), 5-4.
Justin Steele started this game and gave up three runs in the first inning, all of which were unearned because of an error by shortstop Ho-young Son and a passed ball by Tyler Alamo. Steele's final line was 3 innings pitched, allowing three unearned runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out two.
John Williamson took the loss in relief. Williamson pitched two-thirds of an inning and gave up one run in the bottom of the seventh on a double and three walks, although one of the walks was intentional. Williamson did not strike anyone out.
Right fielder Eloy Jimenez returned to the lineup tonight and was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Second baseman Frandy Delarosa was 2 for 4 with a walk.
AZL Cubs
Trey McNutt threw a perfect inning of relief in this game.