Cubs Minor League Baseball Blog

The Smokies lost game one of their championship series to Huntsville 8-7.  Mitch Atkins gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings but he didn’t even take the loss because of all the offense.  That loss went to Jesse Estrada, who gave up two unearned runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

Casey McGehee went two for five with a three run homer to give the Smokies a boost.  Tyler Colvin doubled twice, drove in a run and scored once.

The Smokies had a chance to eliminate Huntsville and move on to the Southern League championship but because their hitters couldn’t get on track, they’ll now face a do or die situation tomorrow.  The Smokies were held to just three hits and Eric Patterson was the only hitter to reach base twice with a double and a walk.

Donald Veal took the loss with a rough start.  He gave up three runs on five hits and five walks with three strikeouts in four innings.

Just a day after being no-hit, the Smokies bounced back and ran up the score on Huntsville to take a 2-1 lead in their best of five game series.  Eric Patterson led the way at the plate and he went three for four with a homerun, four RBIs and two runs.  Issmael Salas also had a big game and he went three for five with a triple, a homerun, two RBIs and two runs.

Jeff Samardzija didn’t bring his best stuff and he gave up five runs in six innings.  To his credit, only two of those runs were earned but he gave up nine hits including a homerun.  Matthew Avery picked up the win with an inning of shutout relief.

The Smokies managed just three walks without a single hit as they were complete shutdown by three Huntsville pitchers.  Tyler Colvin reached base twice and he drew two of those three walks.

Justin Berg took the loss in a rough start.  He gave up five runs (just two earned) on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings.