I was not looking forward to reading the blog after the top of the ninth. I look forward to it now.
The system was undefeated tonight, although that's easier to do when three teams have off days.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs clipped the wings of the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 8-3.
Tsuyoshi Wada bounced back from a bad outing with only two unearned runs over a six-inning rehab start. Wada allowed four hits, walked one and struck out six.
The I-Cubs hit three home runs tonight against the Redbirds, two of which came off of Marco Gonzalez. The first was a solo home run by Mike Olt in the second inning that tied the game at 1-1. It was Olt's third straight game with a home run and his fifth of the season. Olt also doubled and singled in his 3 for 5 night. Olt scored three times.
The next one came off the bat of Chris Valaika in the fourth inning with John Andreoli on second base. It was also Valaika's fifth home run this year. Valaika was 2 for 3 with a sac fly and the three total RBI.
Iowa's final home run came in the eighth inning when Christian Villanueva connected for his 14th home run of the season with Junior Lake on first base. Villanueva was 2 for 5.
Matt Szczur was 2 for 5.
Tennessee Smokies
Off day.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans batter-fried the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 4-3.
Jen-Ho Tseng pitched the first seven innings and picked up his fifth win after allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings. Tseng struck out four and walked one.
Josh Conway pitched the other two innings in this game for his second save. Conway did not allow a run or any hits. However, he did walk the leadoff batter in the ninth, Carlos Franco, who promptly stole second and went to third with one out on a flyout to center field. But Conway got a comebacker to the mound and then a lineout to left to end the game. Conway struck out one.
First baseman Jason Vosler hit his first Myrtle Beach home run (and sixth overall) in the sixth inning with a man on. Vosler was 1 for 3 and was hit by a pitch with the bases-loaded in the first inning.
Left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 4 with a steal and scored when Vosler was plunked. Catcher Cael Brockmeyer was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
South Bend Cubs
Off day
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds downed the Boise Hawks (Rockies), 9-5.
I can't say that Ems starter Oscar De La Cruz pitched well tonight, but he did get the win. De La Cruz allowed five runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked two.
Center fielder Donnie Dewees hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give the Ems a 6-5 lead. It was Dewees third home run of the season. Dewees went 2 for 4 with a walk and three RBI. He scored twice. Dewees also stole two bases.
First baseman Matt Rose was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored one run and batted one in.
DH Ian Rice was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the first inning.
AZL Cubs
Off day.