Walker Powell – Picture by Todd Johnson

I woke up this morning feeling pretty good about today. I’d be spending the day at home after five straight nights in Beloit. I did not expect to see the few transactions that took place today. Walker Powell moved up from South Bend to Tennessee and Brandon Leibrandt moved back down from Iowa to Tennessee. As well, Bryan King went on the 7-Day IL for the Smokies. Part of me wishes I was in Beloit to get pictures of Luis Devers on his first day in south with South Bend, but I am glad I stayed home to watch the fireworks here in town with my wife and have a nice supper.

It figures South Bend would finally lose when I’m not there. You can go ahead and blame me for them losing to Beloit 9-3 after being there every night this week. Myrtle Beach came out swinging to score 2 in the first inning against their arch rival Charleston in what turned out to be a slugfest with Charleston coming out on top 10-7. The Smokies just couldn’t seem to get anything going on offense tonight as Walker Powell made his first Double-A appearance as the starting pitcher. The Smokies lost 4-2. Iowa, meanwhile, had Marcus Stroman on the bump against Columbus and that kept the I-Cubs in the game for two innings until he gave up five runs in the third. Iowa came back as they lost 9-6.

Let’s get to the awards.

Cool Stat of the Day

Dinger of the Day

3 nights in a row!

Starting Pitcher of the Day

Walker Powell, all 6-foot-8 of him, debuted for the Smokies and pitched four innings. He gave up two runs, but he kept his team in the game. He did strike three, but gave up 6 hits over his start.

Reliever of the Day

Sheldon Reed had his best outing of his South Bend tenure today going 1.1 IP and he struck out 4 guys. Frankie Sclazo of Myrtle Beach was runner up as he 

Hitter of the Day

It was cool that Jordan Nwogu came back today! Of course, I wasn’t there to see it, but I saw him coming back in stages the past week, from stretching to light running to throwing to taking BP yesterday. Tonight he went 3-for-4 but he is not the hitter of the day. Jake Slaughter of Tennessee also went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI and he did not win either. 

James Triantos did win as he drove in two runs by going 2-for-5 with the dinger above.