Iowa gets back on track and Bryant can't carry the Smokies by himself.
I'll have articles up for votes for the minor league player and pitcher of the month tomorrow.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs silenced the Nashville Sounds (Brewers), 5-2.
Eric Jokischhad a terrific start today, allowing only two hits and one unearned run over six innings. Jokisch struck out five and walked only one as he improved his record to 5-4.
Blake Parker had to come in and get the final two outs after Frank Batista allowed a run in the the bottom of the ninth. He struck out both batters he faced for his tenth save. He now has 51 career saves for Iowa, which is still the team record.
Third baseman Christian Villanueva hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give Iowa a lead they would never relinquish. It was his fifth home run of the season. Villanueva was 2 for 4 with a double.
Brett Jackson hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in the seventh inning, his third of the season.
In the third inning, Javier Baez was hit by a pitch. He then stole second and third base, but was stranded there. He would come out of the game in the sixth inning, presumably related to the hit by pitch. Otherwise, Baez was 0 for 2.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies lost their seventh straight game, 4-3 to the Birmingham Barons (White Sox).
Starter Corey Black was one out short of a "quality start" as he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on six hits, including a first-inning home run. Black struck out six and didn't walk anyone, and you know I love to see that.
The Smokies and Barons were tied at 3 going into the eighth, when the Barons' leadoff hitter reached on an error by third baseman Anthony Giansanti. After a sacrifice bunt, Tony Zych allowed an RBI single to give the Barons the eventual winning run. Zych pitched one inning and allowed the one unearned run on two hits. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.
DH Kris Bryant hit his 18th home run of the season with a man on in the first inning. He also had an RBI groundout in the third inning and he took strike three right down the plate with a man on in the bottom of the ninth. He was 1 for 4 with a walk.
Shortstop Jeudy Valdez was 2 for 3 and scored a run.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs were shut out by the St. Lucie Mets, 6-0.
Tayler Scott pitched 5.1 innings and allowed two runs, one of which was earned. Scott surrendered six hits, including a solo home run in the fifth inning. He struck out two and walked two.
Zack Godley continued to struggle after his promotion to Daytona. Today he allowed four runs, two earned, in 1.2 innings. Godley allowed five hits, a walk and he hit a batter while collecting only one strikeout.
Daytona managed four hits, all singles.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars shut out the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 2-0.
Justin Amlung started and improved his record to 4-0. He went 5.2 innings and allowed only four hits. He struck out eight and didn't walk anyone. That's pretty good, I guess.
Tyler Bremer got a 1.1 innings save, his fifth of the season. Bremer walked one and gave up a two-out single in the ninth, but got a flyout to center field to end the game. He had one strikeout.
The Chiefs made five errors, three in the third inning when the scored their first run. Their second run scored in the fifth inning when Ben Carhart singled and scored on a Yasiel Balaguert sacrifice fly. Carhart was 1 for 3 and was hit by a pitch. Balaguert was 0 for 3.
Third baseman Jordan Hankins was 2 for 4 with a double.