Ryan Jensen – Picture by Micah Manuel/Tennessee Smokies

I was really looking forward to tonight’s starting pitching set up because Hayden Wesneski was pitching at Iowa, Ryan Jensen was making his first start this month at Tennessee, Richard Gallardo was at South Bend, and Koen Moreno was going for Myrtle Beach. 

Some of that quickly turned to mud as Moreno struggled and Gallardo gave up four runs in one inning. Wesneski was sailing through four innings with six strikeouts when he ran into a buzz saw in the fifth inning and gave up four runs.

But it was in Tennessee that all things pitching were on display for nine innings.

For the second time in three days the Smokies won 1-0. On a night where the Smokies only managed three hits themselves, Ryan Jensen, Bailey Horn, and Hunter Bigge were just nails as they struck out 14 Mississippi Braves.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

Jensen went five innings and struck out seven and he allowed just one hit. It was his first start since late July. He did walk two and allowed one hit, but all three bass runners were stranded. It was probably the best I’ve seen him pitch since last July in the Quad Cities where he struck out 10 on a hot and humid summer night. There’s still hope for him as a starter. He needs more nights like tonight and to string together consistent starts over time. For his performance today, as you can probably tell, he’s going to be our starting pitcher of the day.

Reliever of the Day Part 1

For Bailey Horn, he looked vicious for three innings where he struck out 6. Like Jensen, Horn also allowed 1 hit but Horn did not walk anyone. I really liked his fastball up in the zone tonight as it was pretty much unhittable. 

Reliever of the Day 2

When Sheldon Reed was promoted from Myrtle Beach where he had a miniscule ERA, he really struggled his first month at South Bend to the tune of an ERA over 13 in June and just above 6 in July. Just this week, he’s thrown 3 scoreless innings with 7 Ks and a save. Tonight, he went 2 innings and struck out 5. Good for him! Keep it going, Sheldon!

Web Gem of the Day

The stretch here by Alejandro Rivero is something else! 

Hitter of the Day

Kevin Alcantara went 3-for-5 with a HR and RBI as he was the leadoff hitter for the Pelicans tonight! I know! Maybe Buddy Bailey was just trying to jumpstart him out of a slump he’s been in this month, barely hitting .100. For whatever reason, Alcantara tore it up tonight!

I will be back in the morning with a look at 5 underreported storylines going on in the minors right now. The Rookie League Recap will be out at noon and Pedro Ramirez will be the star of that show.