Good news and bad news as the pennant races heat up.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were shut out by the Las Vegas 51s, 2-0.
Erick Jokisch was the victim of non-support as he pitched six innings and allowed two runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked only one.
Iowa had four hits in this game. Catcher Rafael Lopez was 2 for 3.
Omaha won, so Iowa is once again tied for first place in their division.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies dimmed the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), 2-0.
Pierce Johnson pitched the first four innings and allowed just three hits, two of which were infield singles. He walked three and struck out seven.
Matt Loosen got the win because Johnson didn't pitch five innings. Loosen gave up one hit and one walk. He also struck out one.
Frank Batista pitched a perfect ninth inning for his tenth save. He did not have a strikeout.
Second baseman Stephen Bruno went 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI single in the second inning.
The win gives Tennessee a one-game lead in their division.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs fell to the Tampa Yankees, 7-2.
Tyler Skulina started and got the loss. Skulina pitched 3.2 innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits. He struck out three and walked two.
First baseman Dan Vogelbach was 2 for 4 with two doubles. He scored one run and had one RBI.
DH Billy McKinney was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
The loss cuts Daytona's lead over Tampa for first place in their division to two games.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars skinned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 7-2.
Starter Jonathan Martinez picked up his ninth win and second with the Cougars. He allowed two runs on six hits over five innings. Martinez struck out two and walked no one.
Tyler Ihrig pitched the final four innings for the rare four-inning save. Ihirg allowed only one hit and no runs. He fanned three and walked one.
First baseman Jacob Rogers and catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit back-to-back solo home runs in the second inning. It was Rogers' 15th home run and Brockmeyer's 6th. Rogers was 2 for 5 with two RBI and Brockmeyer was 1 for 4 with a walk.
Center fielder Trey Martin hit an inside-the-park home run in the fourth inning, his third home run this season. Martin went 2 for 3 with a walk and the one RBI. He scored three times.
Second baseman Danny Lockhart was 3 for 4 with a walk. He had one run batted in.
The Cougars are in first place, but it doesn't matter because they won the first half.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks comeback fell short against the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 5-4.
Starting pitcher Dillon Maples allowed three runs on three hits over 3.1 innings. Mainly, the problem was that he walked five batters. He struck out four.
Third baseman Jesse Hodges had a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth to get the Hawks to within a run, but then shortstop Bryant Flete grounded out to end the game. Hodges was 1 for 4.
AZL Cubs
Off day.