Caleb Kilian – Picture via Des Moines Register-Star

The events of the day began early when South Bend announced that Richard Gallardo had been promoted to AA. Gallardo joins a banged up rotation that has seen interim skipper Kevin Graber trying to figure out who’s gonna start five nights during the week. Hopefully that will stabilize that rotation for the time being.

Onto the games!

Bombs away in Des Moines

In the afternoon tilt, the Cubs took it to the Indians using home runs from Chase Strumpf, Jared, Young, Sergio, Alcantara, and Jake Slaughter. Bryce Windham also doubled and tripled as his average continues to climb well over .300.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

But it was on the mound that I cubs dominate the most as they shut out the Indians 8 to 0. Caleb Killian had his best start in a while. He went six innings, striking out for, while allowing three hits and one walk. That dog will most definitely hunt.

Different Birds Picking up the Slack

With our run producers Moises, Ballesteros and Felix Stevens off to South Bend, someone on the Pelicans was gonna have to step up and help produce runs. The new pelicans debuted tonight with Christian Hernandez in the number two spot, and Jefferson Rojas hitting third. But it was Andy Gary Ole, who got things started in the top of the first with a double that Broughton is male Mina. Andy Garriola was brought in by a single from Juan Mora. That gave the Birds a quick 2 to 0 lead, and they never looked back. They would add two more runs in the third to make it 4-1, Birds. They would add more on a Rafael Morel RBI who had two on the night. The Birds also added 5 runs in the eight for a 8-3 win. Jefferson Rojas, Juan Mora, and Ismael Mena all had two hits today and Mora had 3 RBI.

Michael Arias pitched well again. He did not allow a hit but did give up a run while striking out 6 in 4.2 innings. Grant Kipp came on in relief in the 6th and threw three solid innings where he gave up just a run. Johzan Oquendo shut down the Cannonballers in the ninth.

Someone Is Becoming a Star Quickly

Yeah, Jefferson Rojas is turning heads. Tonight, he hit in the three spot and went 2-for-4

In South Bend…

The Cubs offense struggled to put numbers on the scoreboard. Ethan Hearn got them on the board with his 2nd home run of the year. At that point, the score was 3-1 in the fifth. Fort Wayne, however, just kept adding on to make it 6-1 after 7. Fort Wayne won 7-1.

The First Place Smokies

After Chattanooga lost, the Smokies moved into first place. With yesterday’s rainout turning tomorrow into a doubleheader, the Smokies became the masters of their own destiny. Thankfully, Jordan Wicks took the bump for Tennessee tonight. He pitched in handout of trouble for 4 innings. He gave up 1 run on 1 hit while, but walked 5. Then again, he struck out 5. When he left the game, the Smokies were up 1-0 thanks to a Pablo Aliendo homer.

Reliever of the Day

Porter Hodge came on in the sixth and seventh and was spectacular striking out five in two innings.

Unfortunately, Juan Guzman gave up a run to tie it in the eighth. Then he gave up two runs in the ninth to make it 3-1 Pensacola and that is how it ended.

So, the Smokies and Lookouts are tied. The Smokies magic number is two. They need two wins or a Smokies win and Chattanooga loss to clinch a first half title.