Bleed Cubbie Blue

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs split a double-header with the Sacramento River Cats, losing 3-1 in the first game and taking the nightcap 2-0.

In the first game, Mitch Atkins had a better start than he'd been having lately, giving up three runs on five hits over 5.2 innings. Two of the hits were home runs, accounting for all of Sacramento's runs. One was to Eric Patterson. Atkins did strike out eight while walking three.

Third baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 3 with a double.

In the second game, Kevin Hart pitched four shutout innings, allowing only three hits and two walks. Hart fanned five.

Since Hart didn't go five innings, the win went to Justin Berg, who gave up one hit in a scoreless inning. Berg had one strikeout. The save went to Blake Parker, who threw a scoreless seventh for his third save in AAA. Parker didn't allow a hit, walked one and whiffed two.

In the second game, DH Chris Robinson was 2 for 3 with an RBI double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were blasted into space by the Huntsville Stars, 4-2.

Hung-Wen Chen gave up a grand slam in the sixth inning, which was all Huntsville needed. Chen pitched pretty well otherwise, going seven innings and allowing only three hits and two walks. One of the four runs was unearned. Chen struck out two Stars.

First baseman Russ Canzler went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and batted one in. Right fielder James Adducci was also 2 for 4 and had one RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were excommunicated by the Palm Beach Cardinals, 6-0.

Starter Ryan Searle got bombed tonight, allowing six runs in 3.1 innings. Searle surrendered seven hits and issued three walks. He struck out only one Cardinal.

The D-Cubs were held to only one hit, a first inning triple by Tyler Colvin.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to come from behind and usurp the Clinton Lumber Kings, 3-2.

Chris Archer was brilliant again tonight. Archer threw five innings and allowed two unearned runs on three hits. Archer walked only one and struck out nine. For the month of May, Archer struck out 31 batters in only 18 innings.

Alberto Cabrera threw the final four innings without allowing a run to collect the win. Cabrera gave up two hits, walked three and struck out two.

I'm sure you're all disappointed, but Josh Vitters did not homer tonight. He did go 2 for 3 and scored once. He was also hit by a pitch.  That counts as a walk, doesn't it?