Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were rained out in Omaha tonight, which ruined the scheduled rehab games for Dansby Swanson and Gavin Hollowell. It hasn’t been decided yet when or even if the game will be made up.
Knoxville Smokies
The Knoxville Smokies were jettisoned by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 9-2. The Trash Pandas take a 1 game to none lead in the best-of-three divisional playoff series.
The Smokies fell behind early when Knoxville starter Brooks Caple gave up a leadoff home run in the second inning by Caleb Bartolero.
The Trash Pandas got another run in the second after Caple allowed a walk and a single to the next two batters, followed by two ground outs.
The Smokies tied the game back up 2-2 with a run in the top of the third and another one in the fourth. Third baseman Angel Cepeda hit a solo home run in the third for the first run. The second one was a double by left fielder Carter Trice that scored catcher Ariel Armas in the fourth.
But Caple gave up a one-out infield single in the sixth inning and was taken out for Tyler Schlaffer. Schlaffer hit a batter and then gave up a three-run home run to Eddie Micheletti Jr. The game was never close again after that.
Caple pitched fairly well but took the loss. He was charged with three runs on four hits over 5.1 innings. He walked two, hit one and struck out four.
Schlaffer gave up five runs on four hits over two innings. Schlaffer struck out two, walked two and hit one batter.
Cepeda went 1 for 3 with the home run. Trice was 1 for 3 with the double. Armas was 0 for 2 with a walk.
The Smokies managed just three hits.
The Smokies now return home to Knoxville for Game 2 on Thursday. They will have to win both on Thursday and on Friday to keep their season alive and advance to the Southern League Championship Series.
