I survived another draft season. Thanks again to Tim Huwe, who did most of the lifting for me this year. I don't think I would have made it if I would have had to give myself another crash course in draft-eligible players and then turned that into several preview articles.

Iowa Cubs

Off Day.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies game with Birmingham was cancelled today because of an unplayable field after the sprinkler system malfunctioned. It will not be made up.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans blew a four-run lead in the ninth, but went on to beat the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 9-6 in 11 innings.

The Pelicans wasted a stellar start by Duane Underwood Jr., who gave up just one run on three hits over six innings. Underwood struck out three and walked only one.

The Pelicans had a 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but after Tyler Ihrig allowed singles to the first two batters of the inning, the Pelicans called upon closer Jasvir Rakkar. Rakkar blew the save by allowing both inherited runs to score and then two of his own. Rakkar allowed two hits and he made one very critical error himself, which made one of the runs unearned. The tying run also scored on a wild pitch.

Juan Paniagua pitched the final two innings and got his first win of the season. Paniagua did not allow a hit or a run. He did walk two batters while striking out three.

The Pelicans took the lead for good in the 11th on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini, scoring Mark Zagunis. Caratini was 1 for 5 with a two-run double in the top of the ninth. Zagunis went 3 for 6. Zagunis scored twice and had two RBI.

First baseman Jacob Rogers was 3 for 6 with three RBI. Center fielder Trey Martin went 3 for 6 with a stolen base and he scored twice. Right fielder Kevin Brown was 3 for 5 and scored once.

Left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen and third baseman Chesny Young were both 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were stung by the Burlington Bees (Angels), 6-4.

Zach Hedges got the start for South Bend and went five innings. He allowed three runs on five hits. Hedges walked two and struck out three.

Tommy Thorpe was good in his first two innings of relief, but in his third inning of work, he got knocked around four three runs and took the loss. Thorpe pitched three innings and allowed three runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out two.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert had a big night for South Bend, going 3 for 4 with two doubles. Balaguert scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Gleyber Torres was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. He had an RBI single in the third inning and scored on one of Balaguert's doubles in the sixth.