Porter Hodge – Pic by Nick Grant/Tennessee Smokies
Starting Pitcher of the Day
There was a good bet heading into today that there would be a good outing by a Cubs prospect starting pitcher in either Brandon Birdsell, Ben Brown, or Porter Hodge. And there was.
Myrtle Beach had their game canceled against Fayetteville due to rain. But Brandon Birdsell took the bump for South Bend to begin the day. And it went uncharacteristically poor for Birdsell who gave up two runs in the first inning. He would give up 2 more in the fourth, but that was all for Birdsell. He would not be the Pitcher of the Day as South Bend lost 4-3.
As for Ben Brown, he gave up a solo shot to Jon Singleton and that was it. He shut down the Sound as he went 5.1 innings and struck out 11. As well, he got a lot of run support as the I-Cubs took down Nashville 5-1.
That left Porter Hodge who looked vicious for Tennessee as he had his slider working. He went 5 innings and struck out 8 and did not allow a run. For the month of May, Hodge has put up a 1.64 ERA with 32 Ks in 22 innings. Mind you, Hodge has made the adjustments from a terrible first month in April that saw the 22-year-old get rocked to the tune of a 9.22 ERA. Sometimes, it just takes a little adjustment. Anyways, for tonight’s scoreless effort, Hodge gets the Starting Pitcher of the Day.
The Smokies used 8 hits to score 7 runs including 2 more driven in by the hottest hitter this week, Pablo Aliendo. They won 7-1.
Dinger of the Day
Needless, when Haydn McGeary hits dingers, they get out quickly. Case in point.
Two Hit Club
Kevin Alcantara went 2-for-5 for South Bend and looks to be adjusting a little better to breaking balls.
Chase Strumpf went 2-for-3 today to push his average above .240 and his OBP is closing in on .440.
Owen Caissie went 2-for-4 and is now hitting .285 on the year. Yeah, that’s pretty good for a 21-year-old.
Nick Madrigal went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI for Iowa.