It was school open house night for my daughter's school, so I didn't see any of the early games. I did catch the I-Cubs game out in Tacoma.
But hey, I got to learn the life-cycle of a butterfly.
Long night with the I-Cubs in Tacoma.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs slipped on the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 2-1.
Ryan Williams pitched the first five innings of tonight's game, but exited with a 2-2 count on the leadoff batter in the sixth inning with an injury of some sort. The final line on Williams was 5 innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out two and walked nobody.
After Williams left, C.J. Riefenhauser struck out two and walked two in the sixth inning before giving way to Felix Peña, who was greeted by Luis Sardinas with an RBI single. Riefenhauser got the loss for his two-thirds of an inning of work.
Right fielder John Andreoli provided all of Iowa's offense when he hit a solo home run in the third inning. It was Andreoli's fourth home run. He was 2 for 4 and also doubled.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies shelled the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers), 7-2.
It was a strong start tonight for Rob Zastryzny, who gave up a solo home run in the first, a run in the seventh inning and a whole lot of zeros in-between. The final line on Zastryzny was 7.2 innings, allowing two runs on just four hits. He walked just one and struck out eight. At one point tonight, Zastryzny retired 17 batters in a row as he claimed his third win of the year.
Right fielder Billy McKinney went 2 for 4 and tripled in a run in the fifth inning and then went all the way around to score on the play as the result of a throwing error. Tennessee scored five times in the fifth. McKinney had two RBI total and he scored that one run.
Third baseman Jeimer Candelario was 2 for 4 with a double. He had two RBI and he scored once.
Second baseman Chesny Young, who had been slumping lately, went 2 for 4 and scored twice.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans slipped past the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 4-3.
Erick Leal started and got the win after allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings. Leal struck out just one, but he did not walk anyone.
James Farris pitched a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save. He struck out two.
First baseman Yasiel Balaguert connected for a two-run home run in the fifth inning. It was Balaguert's fourth home run over the past eight games and his seventh home run overall this season. Balaguert was 2 for 4.
Everyone can officially stop worrying about shortstop Gleyber Torres. Tonight, Torres was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Torres is hitting .373 in the month of May.
Highlights. Balaguert crushed that one.
South Bend Cubs
Despite two home runs by left fielder Eloy Jimenez, the South Bend Cubs lost to the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 5-3.
Starter Kyle Twomey gave up two runs, one earned, on five hits over five innings. Twomey struck out two and did not walk anyone, although he did hit a batter.
Casey Bloomquist pitched the final three innings and got the loss in relief. Bloomquist gave up three run on four hits, including a two-run home run in the seventh. Bloomquist struck out three and walked nobody.
Jimenez hit his first home run in the top of the first inning with a man on and his second home run was a solo home run in the fourth. Jimenez was 2 for 4 and now has four home runs this season.
Second baseman Andrew Ely was 2 for 4 and scored on Jimenez's first home run.