About six weeks left of the minor league season.
Iowa Cubs
The Redbirds Greg Garcia hit a two-run walkoff double off Iowa Cubs closer Brian Schlitter and the Iowa Cubs fell to the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 2-1.
The Cubs wasted a fantastic start from Jeffry Antigua, who gave up a one-out double in the second inning and that was the last hit the Redbirds would have before the ninth inning. Antigua went seven innings, gave up just the one hit and didn't walk anyone. He did hit one batter. Antigua struck out two.
Schlitter came into the game in the ninth looking for his 14th save, but instead got his first blown save of the season. Schlitter allowed a leadoff double in the ninth and then after a sacrifice bunt, walked the next batter to put runners on the corners. Then Garcia ended it with a double
The only run for Iowa came on a second inning home run by third baseman Mike Olt, his fourth of the season and second in as many days. Olt was 2 for 4.
Center fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 3 with a walk. Right fielder Rubi Silva went 2 for 4.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies were blinded by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins), 8-0.
Felix Pena started and took the loss. Pena pitched five innings and gave up four runs, three earned, on four hits. Pena struck out and walked three, although one of those was intentional. Pena did hit two batters, hoewver.
First baseman Jacob Rogers and third baseman Jeimer Candelario were both 2 for 4 with a double.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans filleted the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 3-1.
Pelicans starter Brad Markey was simply magnificent today, using his curve to to keep the Mudcats off-balance all game. Markey improved his record to 3-0 after tossing seven scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out a career-high ten batters.
Jasvir Rakkar gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning, but that was still good enough for his 11th save. Rakkar struck out two, although one of those was one one of his two wild pitches in the inning which extended the game for one more batter. Rakkar did not walk anyone.
DH Kevin Brown was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored once. Third baseman Jason Vosler was also 2 for 3 with a double. Vosler scored one run and drove one home.
First baseman Chesny Young was 0 for 4, ending his on-base streak at 43 games.
We've got highlights.
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South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs were all wet against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 5-1.
Starter Zach Hedges lost his seventh game after giving up five runs on four hits over five innings. Hedges struck out three and walked two. He also hit two batters.
Center fielder Ian Happ doubled in the first inning and then scored on a Gioskar Amaya single for the only Cubs run of the day. Happ was 2 for 4. Amaya went 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
Left fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 4. Third baseman Vimael Machin was a perfect 1 for 1 with three walks.
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds allowed four runs in the top of the ninth and were stunned by the Boise Hawks (Rockies), 6-4.
Casey Bloomquist made his first professional start and was perfect for the first two innings. Bloomquist struck out three.
Jae-Hoon Ha pitched three innings of scoreless relief in the middle innings, giving up just one hit. Ha struck out three and walked one.
Tanner Griggs was fine in the eighth inning, retiring all three batters he faced. But then he started the ninth and disaster struck. Griggs allowed four runs on three hits and three hit batsmen before exiting after two were out. Griggs struck out two in his 1.2 innings of work.
First baseman Matt Rose went 4 for 5. He scored once and had two RBI.
Left fielder Eloy Jimenez was 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. Jimenez scored twice.
With the loss, the Emeralds finish the first half at 17-20.
AZL Cubs
Still scoreless with the Brewers after six innings. Will update later.