The Cubs system went 3 for 4 this afternoon.
The first day of the season that I don't need to tell you what Javier Baez did.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs clipped the wings of the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 6-3.
Eduardo Figueroa was activated today and made the emergency start, since it was Chris Rusin's spot in the the lineup. But in reality, the I-Cubs went with the whole bullpen today. Figueroa allowed one run on four hits over two innings. He walked one and struck out no one.
Alberto Cabrera threw the next three innings without allowing a run and got the win after Iowa took the lead in the top of the sixth. He gave up three hits but didn't walk anyone. Cabrera struck out one batter.
Zac Rosscup threw two scoreless innings in relief of Cabrera. He also had a two-run single. Marcos Mateo got his first save of the season when he had to bail out Neil Ramirez, who had allowed two runs in the ninth inning. Entering the game with two out and two on, Mateo got a ground out to end the game.
Center fielder Matt Szczur hit his first home run of the year with a man on in the seventh inning. Szczur was 1 for 4.
Catcher Luis Flores went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies scored six runs in the second inning en route to an 8-2 triumph over the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers).
Starter Matt Loosen got the win after he allowed two runs on four hits over five innings. He walked four and struck out five.
The Armando Rivero Fan Club can celebrate again. He threw the last two innings in a non-save situation and retired all six batters he faced. Rivero struck out three.
The six-run second was punctuated by back-to-back home runs by center fielder Zeke DeVoss and second baseman Stephen Bruno. DeVoss hit his with a man on. For both hitters, it was their first home run of the season. DeVoss was 1 for 4 with a hit by pitch. Bruno was 1 for 4 with a walk.
Shortstop Wes Darvill was a perfect 3 for 3 with a walk and a two-run double in the second inning. Darvill had three total RBI and he scored on the DeVoss home run.
Third baseman Kris Bryant went 1 for 3 with two walks and a stolen base. He scored twice. He clearly projects out to be a leadoff hitter.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs were driven down by the Tampa Yankees, 7-3.
Ben Wells made his first start of the season and took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits over four innings. Wells walked three and struck out two.
Michael Jensen had a rough time in relief of Wells, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks in only two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one batter.
DH Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Second baseman Tim Saunders was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars sank the Lake County Captains (Indians), 6-1 in a game that ended after seven innings because of rain.
Duane Underwood made his first start of the season a pretty successful one, allowing only one run on three hits over three innings. Underwood walked one and struck out five.
Justin Amlung threw the final four innings and got his second win of the young season. Amlung did not allow a run and only gave up two hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five.
Right fielder Yasiel Balaguert is not being challenged in his second trip to the Midwest League. He went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. In the first ten games, Balaguert is batting .381. (Yeah, I know. Small sample size. Let me be happy for him for now.)