Daniel Palencia – Picture by Todd Johnson

It’s not that today was wild and crazy, but it was close. In South Bend, the Cubs were playing Beloit and if the Cubs won they would be a five games up and if they lost they would still be up three. So there was a lot of tension. And then one inning there were two incredible plays that happened with the bases loaded.

The first crazy play was that the Cubs pitcher Gabriel Jaramillo walked what appeared to be a run in. Problem was the runner did not touch home plate. The Cubs appealed play, the runner was called out, and Sky Carp manager was soon rejected after a brief delay. The next batter came up and on the second pitch hit a pop-up just beyond the first base bag down the right field line. Normally a catcher, Casey Opitz was playing first and he caught the ball and then slipped. The runner attempted to come home but Opitz threw a strike to nail him at the plate for a double play. It was one of the wildest innings I’ve ever seen.

Let’s get to today’s awards! 

Starting Pitcher of the Day

The weird day continued here. Iowa went with a bullpen day because Wade Miley was scratched before his rehab start. Tyler Santana was pulled just before Myrtle Beach was set to begin and only Daniel Palencia was going as the original scheduled starter in the first set of games. 

And he had himself a day. Palencia threw four scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and struck out six batters and was just running it up there at 98, 99, 100, and 101. His slider was anywhere from 91 to 94 and he even flashed a changeup which has been rare from him.

Honorable Mention – Ben Brown struck out 7 guys in 5 innings for Tennessee today. You can see all 7 Ks here.

Pics of the Day

Good to see Rikk Carlson back out at the ballpark in South Bend!

Hitter of the Day

At first I thought it was going to be South Bend’s Casey Opitz who hit two home runs and drove in three today. But that thought didn’t last long once the Tennessee game got in gear because the Smokies bats were on fire.

Early on, I thought the award was going to be Alexander Canario when he hit his 30th and 31st home runs of the year as he was two-for-two with four RBIs after just a few minutes. But then Andy Weber came up and hit two home runs, a solo shot and a three runner. All of a sudden my choice just became tough. I’d have to wait out the game.

At the end of the game, Canario wound up 2-for-5 with 4 RBI. Weber went 2-for-4 with 4 RBI and each had two dingers.

I don’t feel like picking one over the other today. The can be Co-Hitters of the Day

Reliever of the Day

Yovanny Cabrera held things down for Myrtle Beach as he went 2 innings and struck out two. It is his first time winning the award.