Down on the Farm: Kane County Cougars improve to 20-9 on the season

I noted that Jackson was activated today from the disabled list, making his return to the starting lineup. He started in right field as the Cubs took on the Nashville Sounds earlier today.

Nashville was able to get on the board during the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. After that, both teams would not be able to put up a run until Nashville was able to extend their lead during the bottom of the sixth inning.

Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks worked through 5 1/3 innings tonight, and was charged with three earned runs but managed to strike out eight batters. The two runs were provided by Hunter Morris and Jeremy Hermida. Morris lined a single to right field which was followed up by a Hermida RBI double.

The only Cubs run of the night was plated by Lars Anderson, who singled on a line drive to left field. Jackson finished the night 0-2 with one walk and a strike out.

The winning pitcher tonight is Brent Leach (2-0, 5.75 ERA), losing pitcher is Kyle Hendricks (3-2, 4.25 ERA) and the save was awarded to Dustin Molleken (1).

Final Score: Sounds 3, Cubs 1.

Iowa Cubs fall to 15-12.

The Tennessee Smokies lineup were able to put together 12 hits tonight against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

The Smokies would jump out to a 4-0 lead during the top of the fourth inning. Charles Cutler doubled to center field to make it 3-0 which was later followed by an RBI single by Rubi Silva. Top third base prospect Kris Bryant launched his sixth home run of the season during the top of the fourth inning to make it 6-0.

Starting pitcher Pierce Johnson worked through six innings as he gave up five hits but was only charged with two earned runs. Johnson gave up a solo home run during the bottom of the fifth inning to Chris O’Brien to make it 8-2 Smokies.

Right-hander Ryan Searle would later replace Johnson on the mound. Searle allowed the Lookouts to score two more runs during the bottom of the seventh inning. Hunter Cervenka entered the game during the eighth and was able to shut the door on the Lookouts despite issuing three walks.

Winning pitcher is Pierce Johnson (1-1, 3.86 ERA), losing pitcher is Andres Santiago (0-2, 6.08 ERA).

Final Score: Smokies 8, Lookouts 4.

Tennessee Smokies improve to 16-13.

With the Daytona Cubs being postponed yet again, the last recap of the night will be the Kane County Cougars, who were looking to improve to 20-9.

The Cougars would fall behind early to the Burlington Bees 2-0 during the top of the first inning. Outfielder Shawon Dunston would cut the lead to one during the bottom of the second on a single to right field. The very next inning, Ben Carhart would tie up the ballgame at two apiece.

Starting pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng would have himself another beautiful outing today against the Bees despite the shaky first inning. He would work through six solid innings, giving up eight hits while striking out six batters.

Kane County took the lead during the bottom of the sixth inning and extended it in the eighth thanks to Cael Brockmeyer. Brockmeyer picked up an RBI on a single to center field during the sixth, then picked up his first double of the season later on to make it 4-2 Cougars. Right-handed reliever Zack Godley would replace Jose Arias during the top of the eighth to record the final out of that frame.

Godley would stay in the game and take the mound during the ninth inning in hopes of picking up a save. He would pick up three strikeouts, while giving up two hits and a walk through 1 1/3 innings pitched to close out the game.

Winning pitcher tonight is Jen-Ho Tseng (3-0, 2.73 ERA), losing pitcher is Harrison Cooney (2-2, 1.99 ERA) with the save being awarded to Zack Godley (6).

Final Score: Cougars 4, Bees 2.

Kane County Cougars improve to a very impressive 20-9.