Iowa won a magical game with a big hit by a magical player. The Smokies won on a walk-off as well.
Late tonight, the Cubs traded former first-round pick Brett Jackson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Blake Cooper. We'll have more on this deal tomorrow.
Iowa Cubs
Kris Bryant hit his 40th home run of the season with a man on in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Iowa Cubs stunned the Las Vegas 51s (Mets), 6-5.
Dallas Beeler started this game and allowed three runs on six hits, including two home runs, in six innings. Beeler struck out five and walked one.
Marcos Mateo gave up a run in the top of the 12th inning on a home run to Matt Reynolds, which was Reynolds' second home run of the game. But Mateo ended up getting the win when Bryant answered with a game-ending blast of his own. Mateo pitched two innings and allowed one run on two hits. He struck out four and didn't walk anyone.
Bryant had a rough night before that home run, as he was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts before he hit the two-run bomb. It was his 18th home run for Iowa this year. He was intentionally walked once.
And we have video:
Bryant's heroics overshadowed yet another home run tonight by first baseman Mike Olt, which came with a man on in the third inning. He also doubled in a 2 for 5 evening. He has seven home runs for Iowa this year, including five in his last seven games.
Center fielder Matt Szczur was 3 for 6 with two steals and one run scored. Second baseman Logan Watkins was 3 for 6 and also stole two bases. Watkins had one run batted in and he scored on the Bryant home run.
Manny Ramirez was 2 for 3.
The Salt Lake Bees scored five runs after two were out in the top of the ninth to beat the Omaha Storm Chasers, 11-8. With Omaha's loss, Iowa takes a one-game lead over Omaha.
Tennessee Smokies
Dustin Geiger singled home Albert Almora in the bottom of the ninth as the Tennessee Smokies topped the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), 1-0.
It was a battle of top pitching prospects as C.J. Edwards faced off against the Brewers' Jed Bradley in this game. Edwards didn't appear to be that sharp, but he relied on his defense and didn't give many free passes as he threw six scoreless innings. Edwards gave up four hits. He walked one and struck out one.
Frank Batista pitched a perfect top of the ninth and got his fourth win. He struck out one.
It should be noted that the Smokies made several outstanding defensive plays in this game. I can remember ones by Almora, Christian Villanueva and Stephen Bruno off the top of my head. I believe there were others.
Center fielder Almora was 2 for 4, as was first baseman Geiger. Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 3.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs split a doubleheader with the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), winning game one 6-2 and losing the second one 2-1.
In game one, Jose Rosario started and got his fifth win after he pitched five innings and gave up two runs five hits. He struck out three and walked two.
Billy McKinneyhit a three-run double in the first inning and a sacrifice fly in the third inning for four runs batted in. He was 1 for 3.
Third baseman Ben Carhart was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI single in his Daytona debut for this season. Left fielder Rock Shoulders was 1 for 2 with a triple and two walks. He scored twice.
In game two, Justin Amlung was the hard-luck loser. He allowed two unearned runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked one.
Second baseman Wes Darvill was 1 for 3 with a double. He scored Daytona's only run.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars locked up the Quad Cities River Bandits (Astros), 4-1.
Starter Duane Underwood did not allow a run over the first five innings. He gave up three hits. He walked four and struck out four.
Jasvir Rakkar pitched two scoreless innings and got his first win this season. Rakkar walked one and didn't strike anyone out.
Kane County won when then scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. The key blow was a three-run home run by Trey Martin, his second of the season. Martin was 1 for 3.
Third baseman Chesny Young was 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks jumped over the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 7-2.
Jeremy Null pitched the first three innings, giving up one run on three hits. He struck out two and walked no one.
Trey Lang pitched the next four innings and got the win. He allowed one run on one hit. He walked one and struck out one.
The Hawks scored five times in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by center fielder Rashad Crawford, which just so happened to be his first professional home run. Crawford was 1 for 3 with two walks.
Third baseman Jesse Hodges was a perfect 4 for 4. He had one run scored and had one RBI.
AZL Cubs