Chase Strumpf – Photo by Rich Biesterfield

Today started out pretty slowly this morning as news was slow to come out about transactions that were being made today. And then from 10 AM to noon, things got pretty hectic, and pretty exciting before a few more trickled in later in the afternoon. You can catch up on all the transactions right here by clicking this link. 

As for the action on the field, that was quite exciting too. 

Unfortunately, for Iowa, their game with the Columbus Clippers was canceled due to weather. That meant they were only three games tonight.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

South Bend’s game began at 5 PM and Tyler Santana was making his first start of the year. He went four innings and only gave up one run while striking out four. Then, Luke Little came on in relief and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings while striking out three. Luke’s going to have an adjustment this week as a reliever because he’s going to pitch again on Friday. The rotation for relievers is that they pitch every three days in the system. 

As for the offense, Christian Franklin scored the first run in the second inning on a Kevin Alcantara double. After Cedar Rapids tied it in the top of the third, Yohendrick Pinango hit a two-run home run to make it 3-1 South Bend. 

That lead held up until the ninth inning when Cedar Rapids scored two sending it to extra innings at 3 to 3. The Cubs won it in the 11th on an Ezequiel Pagán single to right that drove in Josue Huma. Sheldon Reid got the win as he threw two shutout innings to go along with three strikeouts in what might be his best outing of the year.

Hitter of the Day

This goes out to Chase Strumpf of Tennessee, who hit is fifth home run tonight and also drove in two more as he went 3-for-3 on the night. He also drew two walks and scored four runs in what might be his best game of 2023.

Iowa Impersonators of the Day

As a team, the Smokies cranked out 13 runs on the night as they defeated Rocket City 13-2. Luis Vazquez went 2-for-4 and drove in three and Pablo Aliendo went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Haydn McGeary’s debut went well as he was 1-for-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.

Jordan Wicks went five innings and gave up two runs but he struck out five. Jake Reindl also returned from the seven day IL and Ben Hecht, who is starting to look like 2019 Ben Hecht, went two scoreless frames in relief. 

As for the Pelicans…

it was not a good night.

They gave up 12 runs. Fortunately, they only went through four pitchers and didn’t burn out their bullpen in game one of the series despite each pitcher giving up at least two runs. The only highlight on the night was the fact that Reivaj Garcia just won’t stop hitting as he went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .341.

I will be back in the morning with a look at some under reported storylines from the month of April.