Bleed Cubbie Blue

And a Happy Father's Day to everyone out there. It's a bit of a bittersweet one for me as it's my second Father's Day but the first one since my father died in February. The good piece of news there is that his granddaughter did visit him once before he died.

Iowa Cubs

It's two shutouts in a row for the I-Cubs as they blanked the Memphis Redbirds, 7-0.

It was Kevin Hart's turn in the rotation today, but his recall to Chicago meant that Iowa went with four relievers today. James Russell started and allowed three hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out one. Then Justin Berg took over and while he walked three and didn't get a strikeout, he didn't allow a hit and picked up the win. Finally, Jeff Stevens and Neal Cotts each threw two innings to finish out the game.

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. He had three RBI. Center fielder Sam Fuld had an RBI and a run scored in a 2 for 5 game. He also stole his 18th base of the season.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies outslugged the Carolina Mudcats, 8-6.

Starter Casey Lambert was the beneficiary of strong offense, as he grabbed his fifth win despite not pitching well at all. Lambert gave up five runs on eight hits over five innings. Lambert didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Brian Schlitter gave up a run on three hits over two innings, but snagged his 11th save anyway. Schlitter struck out two and walked nobody.

Third baseman Marquez Smith celebrated Father's Day by hitting two solo home runs. Smith was 2 for 4 and now has five homers on the year.

Catcher Welington Castillo also homered. Castillo hit a three-run shot in the second inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Left fielder Russ Canzler also hit a solo home run. Canzler was 1 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored.

Second baseman Tony Thomas and shortstop Jonathan Mota were both 2 for 5. Thomas had an RBI.

Finished up the All-Star break. Daytona finished the first half at an even 31-31, which was good enough for second place in the FSL North Division.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were stung by the Burlington Bees, 7-1.

Aaron Shafer got the start and was rocked for five runs and seven hits in 4.1 innings. Shafer struck out five and walked one.

Catcher Michael Brenly was 3 for 4. DH Jose Made made his season debut a good one as he was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were blinded by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 12-7.

Robert Hernandez used to be a top prospect in the system, but  he's trying to get his career back on track in Boise. Tonight he was pretty good as he allowed only one run on four hits over five innings.  He walked one and struck out two.

Josh Lansford made his debut on the mound tonight, at least as a regular pitcher and not as an emergency guy they stuck on the mound. Lansford gave up two runs on three hits over two innings. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter.

The Koreans were big tonight as Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Lee scored twice and had an RBI. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Cliff Andersen was 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Scored three in the ninth inning to beat the Angels, 6-5.