Kohl Franklin – Picture by Todd Johnson

It was a fun ride for two hours tonight watching Kohl Franklin pitch. The 2018 6th round pick from Oklahoma threw his best game as a Cub tonight. He went five innings, allowed three hits, and only walked one batter while holding the Beloit Sky Carp scoreless. Franklin also struck out nine batters along the way as he was allowed to throw 76 pitches. His performance could not have come at a bigger time as both Beloit and South Bend are neck and neck for a playoff spot in the Western Division of the Midwest League. For his stellar outing, Kohl is going to win today’s Starting Pitcher of the Day.

Kohl was not the only one to throw a really good game today. Luis Devers pitched game one of the doubleheader for South Bend. He went five innings and allowed one run in the first inning and then proceeded to strike out five on the night as South Bend, at that time, opened up a two game lead on Beloit.

In addition, Hayden Wesneski threw his best start as a Cub for Iowa in Indianapolis tonight. He went five innings, allowed one hit and one walk while holding the Indians scoreless. Along the way, he struck out five Indianapolis batters. FYI – His slider is filthy.

Gatorade Bath of the Day

The South Bend Cubs have had quite the tradition this year during the post game interview of dowsing the player being interviewed. Tonight, they got South Bend announcer Brendan King square in the back. It was the third cooler of the interview and Brendan never saw it coming. I got it in slow motion for you.

Dingers of the Day

Brennen Davis hit his first home run on his rehab assignment today. There’s no video of it just yet, but that’s a good sign his power is returning quickly. As well, 3rd round pick Christopher Paciolla also hit his first pro HR tonight out in Mesa.

Assist of the Day

Yohendrick Pinango is not known for his defense. But he threw a strike on this play to end the fifth inning for South Bend. 

Reliever of the Day

Peyton Remy relieved Ryan Jensen in the second inning tonight. Peyton would go 2.1 innings in strike out five Birmingham Barons to keep Tennessee in the game. When he left, the Smokies had a 4 to 1 lead. 

Hitter of the Day

This was easily the hardest award to pick. There were some good performances. David Bote had a good night going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI on a home run, but I don’t really consider him to be eligible for this award as he’s on a rehab assignment supposedly. Jonathan Sierra of South Bend put together two good games today. He went 3-for-6 on the day with two RBIs to help lead South Bend to a sweep over 2nd place Beloit and expand their lead to 3 games. Chase Strumpf was another hitter who had two hits today, but he did not drive-in anyone. Out in Arizona, recent draft pick Haydn McGeary had himself a night. He went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk.

I’m going with Sierra.