Kohl Franklin – Pic via Tennessee Smokies

The timing of today could not have worked out any better. I drove to Davenport as South Bend was the only game in the system playing early in the afternoon. That allowed me to drive home while Iowa and Tennessee were playing and then arrive in my garage about a half hour before the Pelicans began the nightcap. I was able to fix supper and a breakfast dish for the week and take a walk whereupon I began dictating this post.

Special thanks to Brad for all the videos this weekend! He’s been on top of it while I have been in the Quad Cities.

Pictures of the Day

It was a good day to take pictures in terms of sunlight. It was a bit hazy in the background, but the players showed through in these action shots.

All pics by Todd Johnson – Triantos, Alcantara, Noland, Watkins, Ballesteros, Alcantara, Ballesteros, and Marquez

As for the game, it did not get off to a good start for South Bend. Connor Noland gave up a two run home run in the first and then another run in the second as South Bend fell behind 3 to 0. They would climb their way back into it thanks in part to a two-run double by Kevin Made. An error in the eighth by Quad Cities tied the game. Connor Noland went 4.1 innings and gave up three runs, but Chase Watkins, Brailyn Marquez, Tyler Santana, and Angel Gonzalez shut down Quad Cities in regulation. South Bend scored a run in the top of the tenth inning and had a chance to blow it open with bases loaded, but failed to produce. Quad Cities scored twice in the bottom of the 10th to walk it off for their only win of the series.

Starting Pitcher of the Day 

This was a pretty close race. Kohl Franklin took home the award for today as he went five scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out nine on the day. Right now, he is currently in the lead for Starting Pitcher of the Month as he’s gone nine innings without a run, and he’s struck out 16 while only allowing four hits.

The rest of the Smokies pitching staff shut down Montgomery as the offense just pounded away at the Biscuits scoring 11 runs in their 10 run romp. 

Hitter of the Day

Probably the most underrated player in the system right now is outfielder Bradley Beeslee. He was outstanding in April for South Bend and was a key reason why they were in first place until he left. All he does is hit. Today, he went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.

Cole Roederer also hit a dinger and Pete Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-5 on the day and Owen Caissie had two RBI.

The Dinger Parade

When I first checked the score of the Iowa game on the way home, they were down 3 to 1. It was still fairly early in the game. Hayden Wesneski only went three innings, and then six separate Iowa relievers went one frame apiece to shut down the Clippers the rest of the way. That allowed Yonathan, Perlaza and Jake Slaughter the opportunity to give the Cubs lead as they hit two home runs late in the game. Perlaza’s home run brought the Cubs within one and then Slaughter’s two run jack put them up by one. Manny Rodriguez looks to be rounding in the shape as he came in and struck out two of the three guys he faced for the save.

The 3 Hit Club

Today’s members are Yohendrick Pinango of South Bend and Matt Mervis of Iowa, who seems to be hitting everything in sight.

Back at the Beach

For 21 year old lefty Marino Santy, today was one of his best starts as a Pelican. He struck out five of the first six men he faced and looked to be heading towards Kohl Franklin’s mark of  nine earlier in the day. Santy wound up going four innings and striking out six and he did not allow a hit or run. Although, he did walk four hitters. 

When Santy left, the Pelicans had a 2 to 0 lead due to Rafael Morel and Miguel Pabon singles. In the fourth, the Birds tacked on two more and then Andy Garriola went yard with a 3 run jack that would have been a grand slam if not for a balk. At that point it was 8-zip after just 4.

The Pelicans came close to a no-hitter again but the Mudcats finally got a hit in the eighth. And that was it in the 8-0 win.