Luke Little – Pic by Todd Johnson

The hardest thing about covering minor league baseball is that it does take place for about two months in the spring while I’m teaching. Sometimes those day game scores in the spring are a bit surprising to see when I finally plunk myself down and get a look at what happened. It was around 2:30 today that I got to see what was going on with Iowa and Tennessee. Both teams scored nine runs and came away with victories, but they did it in totally dissimilar facets.

Iowa fell behind four to zero and then scored nine unanswered runs between the fifth and the ninth innings. Christopher Morel hit a home run and Jake Slaughter had himself a day going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI while Yonathan Perlaza also drove in a couple along with Morel’s 2 RBI. 

Slide of the Day

I just love how Perlaza slides into third basehere. He is such a fun player and his .300+ average at Iowa is being highly underplayed.

Iowa’s pitching was nothing to write home about as they did give her five runs. However, Cam Sanders pitched 1.1 innings striking out three, but he walked two men while lowering his ERA on the year to 3.00.

At 13-7, Iowa is looking pretty respectable.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

The Smokies were in control from the get-go cruising to a nine to one win over Birmingham. Jordan Wicks was outstanding going five scoreless innings as he struck out seven. He did not allow a hit and only walked one guy in his best outing at Tennessee this year/

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As for the offense, Chase Strumpf hit a solo shot, his fourth home run of the year. Strumpf. BJ Murray, and Miguel Amaya each had two hits today. 

With the win, the Smokies are now 10-7.

Dinger of the Day

But the star of the Tennessee show was Pete Crow-Armstrong, who on the 16th pitch of his 8th inning AB, hit a glorious grand slam.

Hitter of the Day

While PCA had a great day, Parker Chavers had himself a game in game one of the Pelicans’ double header with Charleston. He smacked two dingers and drove in 5 as he went 2-for-5 with 5 RBI. In the night cap, In the nightcap, he went 2-for-2 for a total of 4-for-6 with 5 RBI.

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The Cade Horton of the Day Award

Strangely, this goes out to Cade Horton. He went 4 innings today and struck two and allowed just 1 hit. Let’s just say there were a lot of popups today.

The Birds would go on to win game one 7-2.

In South Bend, Another Pitcher’s Duel Went Down

Luke Little brought it tonight for South Bend He threw 74 pitches, 45 for strikes. He got 6 ground outs and did not allow a flyout (wow!). He struck out 6, allowed 3 hits, and had just 1 walk in 5 scoreless innings. Great night! His season ERA now stands at 0.57. That is just amazing!

The Cubs cracked the shutout in the 5th. Josue Huma singled, Kevin Alcantara doubled to put men at second and third and then Kevin Made hit a fly ball for a sac fly to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. The Cubs added another run on another Alcantara double. It looks like Alcantara is coming out of his shell now and he looks much more comfy at the plate. For instance, his second double was to right-center. It was pretty sweet.

However, the bullpen blew a 2-0 lead in the ninth to lose 3-2. It happens. The Cubs now stand at 10-7.

As for Game 2 of Myrtle Beach’s Doubleheader

I was surprised to see Branden Noriega get the start. Up until today, he has pitched every game in relief. He gave up a run in the first and then it was shut down time. He walked 5 (3 in the first when he gave up a run) but he also struck out 5 in 2.2 innings. 

As for the hitting, Cristian Hernandez has moved from the 9 spot up to second this week. Tonight he went 3-for-4 to raise his average .311. Then, his fellow teenager Moises Ballesteros had himself a night with this jack.

The Birds would go on to sweep the DH in fine fashion winning 8-2 and are now sitting at 9-7.

It was a good night.

Reliever of the Day.

Myrtle Beach’s Johzan Oquendo showed his studliness again, going 3 scoreless in relief while striking out 6.