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Congratulations to Iowa Cubs left-handed pitcher Alberto Baldonado, who was named to the Pacific Coast League team in the Triple-A All-Star Game.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs smooshed the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), 5-3. The I-Cubs won the series 3 games to 1, making it their first series win since taking four of five against the Baby Cakes from May 25-29.
Starter Zach Hedges pitched four innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He struck out two and walked one. Hedges also hit two batters.
Because Hedges didn’t go five innings, the win went to Craig Brooks, which was his first career Triple-A win. Brooks threw two innings without allowing a hit or a run, but he did walk three batters and didn’t strike out anyone.
In the top of the first inning, third baseman Jason Vosler hit his first career Triple-A home run and his 13th overall this season. Vosler was 1 for 4.
Catcher Victor Caratini hit a solo home run in the third inning, his fourth of the season. Caratini went 2 for 5.
First baseman Taylor Davis went 3 for 4 with one run scored.
Left fielder Mark Zagunis went 2 for 4 with a walk and one RBI.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins), 7-5.
Starter Michael Rucker turned in the textbook “quality start”: three runs in six innings. All three runs came on the two home runs he allowed. Rucker gave up five hits. He walked one and struck out nine, which is impressive.
Wyatt Short allowed a game-tying solo home run in the top of the eighth, but got the win when the catcher Ian Rice hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning. The final line on Short was one run on two hits over one inning. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.
Jake Stinnett came on for the save in the ninth inning and was perfect, striking out one. He was also the only pitcher on either side who did not allow a home run today.
The two teams combined for eight home runs, four for each team. Rice’s home run was the final blow and was also his fifth of the year. Rice went 1 for 4.
Shortstop Zack Short hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, his ninth of the year. Short went 1 for 4.
Two batters later in the first inning, second baseman Trent Giambrone hit a solo home run, his tenth. Giambrone was also 1 for 4.
First baseman Vimael Machin hit a solo home run in the fifth inning. It was his second for the Smokies and fourth overall. Machin was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored three runs.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were shut out by the Buies Creek Astros, 5-0. It was the Pelicans’ fifth-straight loss.
Erick Leal gave up two runs in the first inning and that turned out to be all the Astros needed. Leal allowed two runs on three hits over the first two innings. Leal walked two and struck out four.
Catcher Johnny Pereda was 3 for 4.
Highlights, if you care to see them.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs fell valiantly to the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 6-5.
Brendan King, Enrique De Los Rios and Garrett Kelly each pitched three innings for Cubs tonight. King allowed three runs, two earned on four hits. He also walked four and struck out three.
De Los Rios also gave up three runs on four hits and got the loss. He walked two and didn’t strike out anyone.
Kelly kept the Cubs in the game with three scoreless innings and just one hit. He struck out five and walked just two.
Third baseman Austin Filiere hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to get the Cubs two within a run. It was his fifth home run of the year. Filiere was 1 for 4.
Catcher Miguel Amaya went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI single.
Left fielder Jared Young was 3 for 4 with a triple and an RBI single. He scored twice, including on the Amaya single in the first inning.
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds couldn’t outrun the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 7-3. It was the sixth-straight loss for Eugene.
Ryan Williams had a second straight poor start as he attempts to return to form after missing most of last season with a rotator cuff injury. Williams was hammered for seven runs on ten hits, including three home runs, over six innings. I suppose the important thing here is that he went six innings and 87 pitches. Williams struck out three and did not walk anyone, although he did hit one batter.
SS Luis Vazquez hit his first home run of the season with the bases empty in the third inning. Velazquez was 1 for 3 with a walk and he scored two times.
AZL Cubs