Kohl Franklin – Picture by Todd Johnson

Tonight was not a normal night. It was an evening that saw Kevin Alcantara get hit in the face with a fly ball he lost in the lights. He was able to walk off on his own power. We also saw Tennessee blow a three run lead and then a two run lead. We saw Iowa come back in the top of the ninth to score 4 runs to win. And we saw Kohl Franklin pitch into the sixth inning. South Bend’s magic number went to win while the Smokies are still at 8.

For me, I was watching the new Lord of the Rings show for most of the night. I was able to catch the first four innings of South Bend before we began watching. I kept an eye out the entire time for what was going on and it just seemed crazy what was happening.

Dinger of the Day

Ca…..rushed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reliever of the Day

Sheldon Reed pitched his seventh straight scoreless outing for South Bend. He went 1 Inning with two strikeouts. It’s been really cool to watch him figure things out at South Bend after initially struggling coming up for Myrtle Beach.

Honorable mention goes out to Saul Gonzalez who threw 3.2 innings in relief today for Myrtle Beach and struck out two while giving up one unearned run. I wonder just how much the Cubs are trying to stretch him out as they did let him throw 63 pitches tonight.

Tip of the Day

Don’t throw Kevin Made a fastball

Starting Pitcher of the Day

To be quite frank, today might’ve been one of the best days for starters for the entire season. It kicked off with Nick Hull, a recent draft pick out of Grand Canyon. He threw three scoreless frames as the opener for Myrtle Beach. He allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out two. He has yet to allow a run as a Pelican in two short starts. 

Jordan Wicks returned tonight after spending a week on the development list. He also threw three scoreless frames allowing just one hit and striking out three. It’s good that he’s not seriously injured and it’s even better that he came back so quickly. The Cubs only let him throw 38 pitches, 24 of those with for strikes.

However, while those two guys were very good, the starter of the day was none other than Kohl Franklin.

Kohl went 5.2 innings tonight and allowed one run. He gave up just three hits and did not walk a single batter. He also struck out seven guys and looks to be rounding into shape as the postseason is coming quickly. He only threw 76 pitches tonight. He threw 52 of them for strikes. I am ecstatic to see him finishing the year so well!

Hitter of the Day

Just like yesterday, this is going to be a tough call. Zach Davis had three hits for the Smokies while Yonathan Perlaza went 2-for-4 with three RBI as well. Matt Mervis crushed a baseball that I don’t think has landed yet and he also hit a double as he went 2-for-5. Jordan Hicks went 2-for-4 with three RBI while Brennen Davis was 2-for-2 with two walks. In Myrtle Beach, Juan Mora was 2-for-4 with two RBI and Josue humor drove in three runs but only went 1-for-5.

I am rolling with Perlaza just because I can. You can disagree easily and you should. Because now I am second-guessing myself instantaneously.

Why We Don’t Deserve Joey Votto

I will be back tomorrow morning with a profile of 13th round pick Luis Rujano.