Down on the Farm: Iowa Cubs route Round Rock, 10-3

Last game of the night was played by the Tennessee Smokies and the Birmingham Barons. The Smokies were looking to do what the Daytona Cubs were able to do during their game, but it was almost the complete opposite.

Birmingham crushed Tennessee pitchers, especially right fielder Josh Richmond who launched a grand slam during the bottom of the fifth inning. It was Birmingham’s first grand slam at home since the 2008 season. He had a second chance at picking up another grand slam on the night during the bottom of the eighth inning with no outs but was unable to do so. First baseman Rangel Ravelo launched a solo home run to center field after Richmond’s grand slam during the bottom of the fifth to make it 8-1 Barons.

Ravelo would also have the opportunity to hit a grand slam during the bottom of the eighth inning but pick up an RBI double to left field to make it 13-1.

Tennessee picked up the lead during the top of the fourth inning off an RBI single by Rubi Silva, but that would be all the Smokies would put up on the scoreboard until the top of the ninth inning. Taylor Davis was able to stop the bleeding a little bit (but not that much) after sending a line drive to center field to plate two runs, making it 14-3.

Starting pitcher Pierce Johnson only made it through four innings of work tonight before he was pulled from the game. Despite striking out five batters, he still managed to walk four while giving up four hits and three earned runs. He was replaced by Ryan Searle who continued to struggle on the mound. Searle was kept in the ball game for three innings before he was pulled and replaced. He gave up six hits, charged with six earned runs with two home runs.

Both home runs were the grand slam by Richmond and the solo shot by Ravelo. It was the second game in a row that both Richmond and Ravelo went back-to-back.

Birmingham put up eight runs during the bottom of the fifth inning and five more during the bottom of the eighth. Terrible night for Smokies pitchers.

Third base prospect Kris Bryant was hitting the ball well and had the opportunity to add some runs during the top of the ninth inning with the bases loaded. Bryant had three consecutive hits in as many at-bats, but popped out to second baseman Gordon Beckham to end the game.

Winning pitcher is Scott Snodgress (1-2, 7.11 ERA), losing pitcher is Pierce Johnson (0-1, 6.75 ERA).

Final Score: Barons 14, Smokies 3.

Tennessee falls to 9-10.