Kohl Franklin – Pic via Tennessee Smokies

The day began early with South Bend playing a matinee in Lake County. It did not go well for South Bend as the Captains’ starting pitcher Parker Messick was dealing. He struck out 11 Cubs in five innings while not allowing any runs. He did give up three hits, but the Cubs looked helpless against the former Florida State product. The Cubs pitching, meanwhile, struggled mightily, giving up 10 runs on 14 hits despite striking out ten. Then again, the Cubs walked 8. Anytime 22 guys get on base, you are not going to win too many game. The Cubs did manage just 6 hits on the day as Jacob Wetzel and Matt Shaw had two each.

First Inning of the Day

This award goes out to the Iowa Cubs who put up an 8 spot against. The Cubs smacked four home runs. It began with PJ Higgins’ two run homer, then there was a Matt Mervis solo shot, Luis Vazquez added a three run dinger and Yonathan Perlaza topped it off with another two-run bomb. Wow!

Reliever Shane Green, who is in the midst of a comeback, went three scoreless to start the game for Iowa. Luke Little followed that up with 2 scoreless.

Hitter of the Day

The I-Cubs added 4 more runs in the fifth and sixth including three on a homer by Chase Strumpf. Then, in the eighth inning, Strumpf hit a grand slam to drive in 7 on the day. The I-Cubs eventually won 20-1.

Ferris Day

Jackson Ferris went 4 innings today throwing 66 pitches. He gave up 1 run, struck out 3, and gave up just 2 hits. However, he did walk three. Overall, much better.

Reliever of the Day

Erian Rodriguez has flashed from time to time. The 2021 Draft pick out of high school in Georgia has been much improved in the second half. The Myrtle Beach reliever went three innings tonight and gave up just 1 run. And, I repeat, and he struck out 5. This month, he’s off to a good start with a sub 2.00 ERA.

As for the rest of the Pelicans, they got it done again today. After yesterday’s 14 run outburst. They only got four today, but it was enough to win 4-2 based on the pitching above. In addition, Brian Kalmer hit his second home run in his second week at Myrtle Beach. I could get used to him hitting dingers.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

Kohl Franklin is getting close. Now you can ask, “Close to what?” He’s been getting it done the last 6 weeks. Tonight, he threw 67% strikes as he went 5 scoreless with 3 Ks. Not sure why he went just 5 on 61 pitches, he could have gone another frame. 

The Smokies did help Kohl out as he left with a 4-0 lead as Levi Jordan drove in 3 of those runs. The Smokies would win 4-2 as Blake Whitney continues to shove the last month as he got the 1.1 inning save with 2 Ks.

I will be back in the morning with a look at Luis Martinez-Gomez. And later in the day, there might even be a prospect list to check out.