Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Sacramento River Cats (Athletics), 6-4.

Kyle Hendricks's second Iowa start was not quite as good as his first one, but there were some positives. Hendricks allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings. The positive was that he struck out seven, but he also walked an uncharacteristically high three batters.

Alberto Cabrera allowed two runs in the top of the eighth to take the loss. Cabrera threw two innings total, allowing four hits. He struck out three and walked three, one intentionally.

Second baseman Edgar Gonzalez was 2 for 5 with an RBI. DH Dave Sappelt was 2 for 4 and scored once. Catcher Chad Noble went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one batted in.

First baseman Josh Vitters was 1 for 3 with a double, but he exited for a pinch-runner after going to third after the double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 4-1.

Eduardo Figueroa was sharp in getting his second win and first with the Smokies. Figuera tossed five scoreless innings, allowing six hits. He walked one and struck out one.

The Smokies put this game away with three runs in the seventh inning on an RBI single by second baseman Arismendy Alcantara and a two-run single by right fielder Rubi Silva. Both hitters were 1 for 4 and Alcantara scored on Silva's single.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored one run. Center fielder Matthew Szczur went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

The win extends Tennessee's lead over second-place Birmingham to 4.5 games. However, since Birmingham won the first half title, their lead for the second playoff spot is actually 6 games over Jackson. If Birmingham wins both halves, the second playoff spot goes to the team with the second-best overall record. In that case, Tennessee has a 9.5 game lead over Jackson.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs split a doubleheader with the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), winning game one 5-0 and dropping the second one 3-2.

In the first game, starter Pierce Johnson improved his record in Daytona to 5-1 after he threw 5.2 scoreless innings, He allowed four hits and issued three walks. He struck out seven Threshers.

Armando Rivero got his first Daytona save and second overall save by pitching the rest of the way. Over his 1.1 innings, Rivera allowed one hit. He struck out one and did not walk anyone.

In his second at-bat for Daytona, DH Daniel Vogelbach crushed a two-run home run to center field. It was Vogelbach's 18th home run overall. Vogelbach was 2 for 3 and scored twice.

Left fielder Anthony Giansanti was 2 for 3 with one run batted in.

In the second game, starter Yao-Lin Wang pitched really well, but was the victim of non-support and his record fell to 3-4. Wang allowed two runs on four hits, including one solo home run, over 5.1 innings. What was impressive was that he struck out eight and didn't walk anyone.

In his second at-bat for Daytona, third baseman Kris Bryant hit a solo home run to center field. Yes, both Vogelbach and Bryant homered in their second at bats for the D-Cubs. (Bryant didn't arrive in time to play game one.) Bryant was 1 for 3.

Second baseman Wes Darvill was 2 for 3 and scored Daytona's other run in the second game.

Second-place Lakeland was swept in a double-header by Dunedin, so Daytona's lead in the North division was extended to 4.5 games.

Kane County Cougars

Off-day. Traveling to Burlington for a game tomorrow night. Trevor Gretzky was promoted to Kane County from Boise.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks shattered the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 12-1.

Starter Duane Underwood allowed a run in the top of the first inning, but everything after that was all Hawks. Underwood allowed one run on three hits over three innings. He walked one and did not have a strikeout.

Paul Blackburn piggybacked Underwood and got the win because Underwood didn't go five innings. Blackburn tossed three scoreless innings, allowing four hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Trey Masek had two scoreless innings of relief and Eddie Orozco pitched a scoreless ninth.

Right fielder Yasiel Balaguert put Boise on top for good in the bottom of the first inning with a three-run home run, his seventh this season. Balaguert also doubled in a 2 for 3 night. He also walked twice and scored three times.

Left fielder David Bote was 3 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. Bote had four total RBI and scored twice. He also stole a base.

Second baseman Danny Lockhart was 2 for 5 and scored once. First baseman Jacob Rogers went 2 for 2 with three walks. Rogers scored twice.

Third baseman Jordan Hankins made sure the Hawks didn't miss Kris Bryant tonight by going 3 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI.

AZL Cubs

Off-day