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Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were tripped up by the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 5-2.
Ryan Williams made his first appearance on the mound since last May 19, but he took the loss after he gave up three runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings. Williams struck out four and walked one.
First baseman Victor Caratini scored both of Iowa’s runs, once on a wild pitch and one on an Ozzie Martinez single in the fourth inning. Caratini was 0 for 2 with two walks. Martinez was 1 for 4.
Iowa returns to Des Moines for their home opener tomorrow against New Orleans.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies let the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds) off the hook, 3-2.
Duane Underwood Jr. had a solid start tonight for the Smokies. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. But best of all, he struck out eight and walked just one. He was also 1 for 2 and scored the Smokies second run.
James Pugliese pitched the seventh inning, gave up one run and took the loss. Pugliese gave up four hits. He struck out one and walked nobody.
Left fielder Charcer Burks singled to lead off the game and scored on a two-out single by Yasiel Balaguert. Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk. Balaguert was 1 for 4.
The Smokies have an off day tomorrow and will play their home opener against Mississippi on Wednesday.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans fizzled against the Buies Creek Astros, 3-2.
Starter Casey Bloomquist took the loss after he gave up three runs on six hits over five innings. Bloomquist did strike out five and walked no one, so that’s pretty positive.
The Pelicans managed just two hits tonight and both runs scored on errors. Third baseman Jesse Hodges was 1 for 3 with a double.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs dented the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 5-3.
Starter Erling Moreno exited after he gave up three runs in the third inning. The final line on Moreno was three runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two and only walked one, but he did hit two batters.
Dakota Mekkes relieved Moreno in the fourth and pitched three innings without allowing a run or a hit. He did walk one batter and he struck out five. Mekkes was deservedly awarded the win because Moreno didn’t go five innings.
Chad Hockin pitched a perfect ninth inning and got his first career save. Hockin struck out one.
Leading off the top of the second inning, left fielder Chris Pieters hit the first South Bend home run of the season to open the scoring. Pieters was 1 for 4.
One inning later, center fielder D.J. Wilson homered to lead off the third to make it 2-0. Wilson went 1 for 2 with a walk.
Shortstop Isaac Paredes was 3 for 4 and scored twice. Catcher Alberto Mineo was 2 for 4 and tripled home Paredes in the third inning. He then scored on a wild pitch.