Double trouble tonight.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 7-6.
Starter Aaron Brooks had another rough start, giving up seven runs on seven hits in just three innings. One of the seven runs was unearned. Brooks gave up a two-run home run in the first inning and a three-run blast in the second. Brooks walked one and didn't strike anyone out.
Iowa fought back from a 7-1 deficit, but their comeback fell short. Recently-promoted catcher Cael Brockmeyer was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored in his Iowa debut this season.
Third baseman Kristopher Negron was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored one run and drove one in. Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 5 and scored once.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies dropped a doubleheader to the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 2-1 in nine innings and 1-0.
In game one, Duane Underwood Jr. pitched the first four innings and allowed one run on four hits. He struck out three and walked two.
James Farris entered the game in the seventh inning and stayed in for 2.1 innings, taking the loss. After walking the leadoff batter in the ninth, he gave up a double to put runners on second and third. After an intentional walk to load the bases, a sac fly ended the game. The final line on Farris was one run on three hits over 2.1 innings. He walked two (one intentionally, of course) and struck out one.
Third baseman Daniel Lockhart doubled and scored in the fifth inning of this game for Tennessee's only run of the doubleheader. He was 1 for 4.
Right fielder Bijan Rademacher and first baseman David Bote were both 2 for 4.
In game two, Starling Peralta threw the first four innings and gave up just one baserunner, a one-out double in the fourth. Peralta struck out three.
David Garner took the loss, once again in walkoff fashion. Garner gave up two hits to start the bottom of the seventh and then issued two walks to score the winning run. The final line on Garner was 1.1 innings, allowing a run on two hits and three walks. Garner struck out two.
The Smokies only had two hits in game two. Catcher Victor Caratini was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped a doubleheader to the Potomac Nationals, 4-2 in eight innings and 4-3.
Jonathan Martinez started game one. He allowed two runs on five hits over 5.1 innings. Martinez walked two and struck out two.
Tommy Thorpe took the loss when he gave up a two-run, walkoff home run to Raudy Read in the bottom of the eighth. Thorpe pitched two innings and allowed two runs on two hits. He walked one and struck out one.
Second baseman Ian Happ tied this game 2-2 in the fifth with an RBI single. He was 1 for 3 with a walk.
In game two, starter Zach Hedges got the loss after he allowed four runs, all in the third inning. Hedges surrendered seven hits in his five innings of work. He struck out five and walked nobody.
Happ was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple in game two. He knocked in one run. Catcher Gioskar Amaya was 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs failed to clinch a playoff spot tonight, losing to the Lake County Captains (Indians), 4-3.
It was a strong start for Casey Bloomquist, who made just one mistake, a solo home run in the fifth inning. The final line on Bloomquist was one run on four hits over seven innings. He struck out one and walked one. He retired fifteen batters on ground outs.
The wheels came off in the eighth inning when after Craig Brooks retired the first two batters, shortstop Bryant Flete made an error to keep the inning alive. The Captains took advantage and scored three unearned runs in the inning after two were out. Brooks pitched just the one inning and allowed two hits. He walked one and struck out one.
Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda was 2 for 3 with a triple and one run scored. Left fielder Eloy Jimenez was 2 for 3 with a walk.
South Bend needs to win one of the final two games of the first half to clinch a postseason spot.
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds won their Opening Night game, 6-1 over the Boise Hawks (Rockies).
Dylan Cease was good in his season debut. He allowed only two hits over four innings, a double and a home run to Luis Castro. Cease struck out two and walked one.
Because Cease didn't go five, the win went to Enrique De Los Rio. De Los Rio pitched two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone.
Third baseman Matt Rose hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Ems a lead they would never relinquish. It was Rose's sixth home run this year (he started the season in South Bend). Rose was 1 for 2 with two walks.
Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI single in the third inning. He also stole a base Shortstop Andruw Monasterio was 2 for 5 with two RBI.
Center fielder D.J. Wilson was 0 for 2 with three walks and two steals. He scored twice.