I've got to say, it's getting really hard to temper my enthusiasm for Javier Baez. It seems like he really can do whatever he wants.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs got zapped by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 5-2.
It was a pretty good start for Yoanner Negrin, who allowed two runs on nine hits over six innings. Negrin struck out seven and didn't walk anyone, so that's impressive. He did hit one batter. Still impressive.
Alberto Cabrera has struggled badly in August. Today, he allowed three runs in the seventh inning, the only inning he pitched. Cabrera surrendered two hits and he walked two. Cabrera fanned one.
Jae-Hoon Ha continues his strong finish to the season, going 2 for 4 with a double and a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. It was Ha's sixth home run and fifth for Iowa.
Shortstop Edwin Maysonet was 2 for 4.
Tennessee Smokies
Javier Baez hit a walkoff, two-run home run as the Tennessee Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 8-6.
Starter Matt Loosen put the Smokies in a 6-2 hole as he allowed six run on six hits over 4+ innings. His control was an issue as he walked five and struck out five.
Hunter Cervenka was the beneficiary of Baez's home run, as he had pitched a scoreless top of the ninth. Cervenka walked two, one intentionally, but didn't allow a hit. He struck out one.
Baez's home run was his 31st on the season and 14th for the Smokies. He was 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored twice. Baez also made an impressive diving catch in the top of the ninth.
Baez wouldn't have been in position to win it if it weren't for the efforts of second baseman Jonathan Mota. Mota hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 6-4 and a two-run single in the eighth to tie the score. Mota was 2 for 4 and it was his seventh home run this year.
Third baseman Christian Villanueva was 1 for 2 with two walks and a two-run double in the bottom of the first.. He scored once.
The win was Tennessee's seventh straight. Second-place Jackson won, so their lead remains at six games.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 5-1.
A strong start for Corey Black, who allowed only one run over five innings for his second Cubs win and fifth in the Florida State League. Black surrendered eight hits. He struck out eight and only walked one.
DH Dustin Geiger hit a two-run home run in the third inning, his fourteenth of the season. Geiger was 1 for 4.
First baseman Dan Vogelbach and third baseman Kris Bryant were both 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars were swarmed by the Burlington Bees (Angels), 5-1.
Starter Felix Pena didn't pitch poorly, but took the loss anyway. Pena retired the first nine batters of the game and lasted six innings and allowed three runs, only two of which were earned, on three hits. Pena struck out five and didn't walk anyone.
Kane County's only run came on a home run by catcher Willson Contreras in the third inning. It was Contreras's 11th home run of the season. Contreras went 2 for 4.
Center fielder Oliver Zapata was 2 for 4 with a double.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks cleaned up the Tri-City Dust Devils (Rockies), 6-2.
Jose Rosario got his first win of the season by allowing one run over five innings. He surrendered three hits while walking one and striking out three.
Jose Arias threw three innings of relief without allowing a hit and a walk, although he did allow two baserunners with a hit batsman and an error. Arias struck out three.
First baseman Jacob Rogers had a two-run double in the third and an RBi double in the ninth as part of a 2 for 4 game. He also walked once.
Center fielder Kevin Encarnacion went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice.
DH Shawon Dunston was 1 for 2 with a double and three walks. He stole a base and scored twice.
Salem-Keizer won, so Boise remains a game out of first place. However, since Salem-Keizer won the first half, Boise has a 12 game lead over Eugene for the second-best overall record. That would come into play if Salem-Keizer won both halves. So for Boise is really concerned about Salem-Keizer's four game lead over Hillsboro at this point.
AZL Cubs