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D-Cubs finally score, go 12 innings for 1st victory Sean Kernan/Daytona Beach News-Journal DAYTONA BEACH -- It took 12 innings to get done, but the Daytona Cubs got their first win of the season Saturday night. Mike Brenly's three-run walk-off homer off Nick Tyson delivered a 7-4 Cubs victory over the Brevard County Manatees at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Cubs (1-2) had been shut out in each of the first two games of the season against Manatees (2-1), a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate. Daytona finally scored its first run in the fourth inning -- 21 2/3 innings into the season -- and it was Brenly who did so when he came home on an infield hit by Marwin Gonzalez. "A lot of people might have been down on us or whatever, but we were working our tails off just to get that monkey off our back," Brenly said moments after his three-run blast over the left-field wall. "Now were going to see if we can get this going a little bit. The fans just need to stick with us. We've got a good club here." Two-out singles by Kyler Burke and Josh Vitters in the 12th brought Brenly to the plate with his second chance to win it in extra innings. "I didn't get a good swing on it my last at-bat with a runner on second (in the 10th inning)," Brenly said. "Kyler and Josh did a great job keeping the (12th) inning alive." The dramatic ending saw the entire Cubs team circled around home plate waiting for Brenly to round the bases. The Cubs might have scored one of the most anticlimactic first runs of the season. Gonzalez dribbled a grounder down the third-base line that went about 40 feet with the bases loaded, but it was as effective as a sharp single to left field. "It's hard to believe that we played 12 innings and there were only three innings that runs were scored," Cubs manager Buddy Bailey said. "The thing I'm happy with is we didn't strike out like we had the first two games. We put the ball in play. "The first RBI we got is a perfect example. Gonzo hit the ball 40 feet and we got a run out of it. The last inning, the first two hits weren't squared up like Brenly's (homer), but we put the ball in play." David Macias followed Gonzalez's RBI infield hit with a bases-loaded double to the left-field fence. "We had two really big blows in the game -- Macias' double and Brenly's homer -- and one really, really small one," Bailey said. Daytona's four-run fourth was set up by Brenly and Ryne White walks sandwiched around a Smailey Borges single up the middle. Daytona starter Alberto Cabrera limited the Manatees to just two hits in six scoreless innings. Cabrera didn't allow any other baserunners and he struck out two. Reliever Luke Sommer came on in the seventh and didn't make it through the inning. With the help of a hit batter and a throwing error by Macias, the Manatees rallied for four runs. Sergio Miranda and Michael Roberts each had RBI singles with two out, and Anderson De Le Rosa drilled a two-run triple to left-center field. Mike Perconte got the final out of the seventh and worked three scoreless innings to keep the game tied at 4. Relievers Chris Siegfried and Aaron Shafer (1-0) combined for 2 1/3 shutout innings. The Manatees and Cubs play again today, but the series moves down to Viera's Space Coast Stadium for a 1:05 p.m. start. http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/images/2010/04/11/cubs20411.jpghttp://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/baseball/2010/04/11/d-cubs-finally-score-go-12-innings-for-1st-victory.html#Daytona’s Marwin Gonzalez successfully steals second base after the throw gets by Brevard County’s Sergio Miranda on Saturday in Daytona Beach. (Nigel Cook/News-Journal)

I-Cubs' anemic hitting leads to third straight loss Randy Peterson/Des Moines Register There’s nothing wrong with the Iowa Cubs that a few hits won’t correct. The pitching — it’s solid. The hitting? “We’ve got some work to do,” manager Ryne Sandberg said after a 10-inning, 2-1 loss against Nashville Saturday night dropped the Cubs’ record to 0-3 in Sandberg’s first season as the manager. Iowa got seven hits on this chilly night. The Cubs enter today’s 1 p.m. series finale against the Sounds with a team batting average of .182. “It came down to a clutch hit — they got it, and we didn’t,” Sandberg said. Nashville broke the tie when Ray Olmedo scored from second on a single to left field by Brendan Katin against Mitch Atkins, Iowa’s fifth pitcher. That came after Iowa stranded runners at first and third in the eighth inning after Matt Camp scored on Bobby Scales’ ground out. The threat of additional runs ended when Jason Dubois struck out. The Cubs’ ninth inning ended when Darwin Barney struck out with Chris Robinson at second. “That’s the story for us so far,” said Sandberg, whose team has scored multiple runs in an inning just once. “Everything’s been single digits.” Iowa starting pitcher Thomas Diamond, a waiver claim by the Cubs from the Texas Rangers organization, allowed a run and struck out five in five innings. Reliever Jeff Gray worked out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the eighth—first by striking out Adam Heether, then by turning Ben Johnson’s grounder into an inning-ending double play.

Sounds Win Third Straight In Extras NashvilleSounds.com DES MOINES, Iowa - The Nashville Sounds moved to 3-0 after topping the division-rival Iowa Cubs, 2-1, in 10 innings at Principal Park in Des Moines. Second baseman Ray Olmedo lead Nashville by going 3-for-5 with a triple and both runs scored in his Sounds debut. Right-hander Marco Estrada was strong in his Brewers organization debut. He earned a no-decision after allowing just two hits with five strikeouts over six scoreless frames, retiring 17 of 19 batters. For the third consecutive game in the series, the Sounds bounced out to an early lead. Olmedo tripled in his first at-bat and later came home on a RBI base hit from outfielder Trent Oeltjen. The Cubs were able to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Third baseman Matt Camp singled to start the rally, followed by a James Adduci double. Bobby Scales then grounded out to Joe Koshansky that plated Camp from third to tie the game at 1-1. Nashville regained the lead in extras, as Olmedo reached base again on a base hit to right field, advanced to second on an Oeltjen sacrifice, and scored on a Brendan Katin base knock. Right-handed reliever David Johnson allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings. John Axford (1-0) earned the win after fanning two in his 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball. Chris Smith shut the door with a scoreless frame to earn his second save. Cubs starter Thomas Diamond surrendered one run on four hits to earn a no-decision. The Sounds and Cubs wrap up their season-opening four game series with tomorrow's 1:05 pm finale at Principal Park in Des Moines.

I'm posting this because I was unaware of the connection between Rogers and Flaherty, a Cubs supplemental first rounder in 2008, and found it interesting: Minors a Major deal in Maine Travis Lazarczyk/Waterville Morning Sentinel Players with Maine ties can be found all over the minor leagues, and their careers are worth following. The best place to start is the Double-A Southern League, where three Mainers -- Mark Rogers of Orr's Island, and Ryan Reid and Ryan Flaherty, both of Portland -- chase their big league goals. Remember, Rogers was the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft. The Milwaukee Brewers plucked Rogers and his 90 mile per hour plus fastball out of Mt. Ararat High School. Shoulder surgery washed away most of the last three years of Rogers' career, but now he appears ready to train his path back on Milwaukee, beginning this season with the Brewers' Double-A team, the Huntsville (Ala.) Stars. Rogers made his 2010 season debut Saturday night against the Chattanooga Lookouts. He started for the Stars and struck out the first batter he faced. And the second. He doubled in his first at bat. Rogers allowed one run on one hit in 4 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking four. He didn't pitch long enough to earn the win, but it was a solid debut. Deering High graduate Ryan Flaherty is an infielder for the Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs' Southern League club. Flaherty's high school teammate, Ryan Reid, is a pitcher for the Montgomery (Ala.) Biscuits, the Tampa Bay Rays Southern League team. There's an excellent chance the former teammates will face either other this season, and face Rogers, too. Rogers, Reid and Flaherty are already forever linked by the 2004 Class A high school baseball championship game. Rogers and Mt. Ararat played Reid, Flaherty and Deering in a game that was moved from Saturday afternoon at Gorham High School to Monday night at Portland's Hadlock Field to accommodate the expected huge crowd. Approximately 7,000 fans showed up at Hadlock that night and saw Deering take a 6-1 win. To have three players from one state championship game reach AA ball, is impressive no matter what state it is. When that state is Maine, where the baseball season sometimes doesn't begin until May, it's downright unheard of.

No wonder the Brewers don't always order MRIs on their players--they can't even afford bats!

Final: Nashville 2, Iowa 1 (10 innings) Nashville box score Nashville won their third straight over Iowa, which combined with Brevard County's 2-1 showing so far against Daytona makes Brewers affiliates 5-1 against their Cubs brethren to begin the year, always a welcome sight. Marco Estrada pitched very well in his first start for the organization, striking out five and walking none in six scoreless innings while allowing only two hits. After David Johnson and A.J. Murray combined to allow the Cubs to tie the game in the 8th, John Axford entered the game with runners on first & third but got a clutch strikeout to end the threat. Axford also pitched a scoreless 9th, and Chris Smith did likewise in the 10th for the save. Ray Olmedo was 3-5 with a triple, and Brendan Katin was 2-3 with two walks (!). Adam Heether was 0-5, and Angel Salome entered the game with Axford in a double switch and went 0-1. Nashville play-by-play Nashville loaded the bases with no outs in the 8th but got skunked: Trent Oeltjen singles on a fly ball to right fielder Micah Hoffpauir. With Brendan Katin batting, Trent Oeltjen steals (2) 2nd base. Brendan Katin walks. Coaching visit to mound. With Joe Koshansky batting, Trent Oeltjen steals (3) 3rd base. Brendan Katin steals (1) 2nd base. Joe Koshansky walks. Pitcher Change: Jeff Gray replaces Jeff Stevens, batting 6th. Defensive Substitution: Matt Camp replaces pitcher Jeff Stevens, batting 9th, playing third base. Adam Heether called out on strikes. Ben Johnson grounds into double play, pitcher Jeff Gray to catcher Chris Robinson to first baseman Bryan LaHair. Trent Oeltjen out at home.

Final: Huntsville 11, Chattanooga 1 Huntsville box score Wow, where to start? All five prospects atop the Stars lineup had good days, with the best performance belonging to Brett Lawrie, who was 3-4 with a triple, homer, and two walks, the second of which came in his last plate appearance, in which the Lookouts seemed none to eager to give Lawrie the chance to get the double he needed to complete his cycle. Jonathan Lucroy and Taylor Green were each 3-5 with a double and a walk, Caleb Gindl was 1-4 with a double and a walk, and Lorenzo Cain was 2-6. Lee Haydel was the only Star without a hit--and that's including Mark Rogers, who doubled off the wall in his first plate appearance since 2005--but he did walk. When not impersonating a cleanup hitter, Rogers pitched decently, sitting at 93-95 with his fastball but having problems controlling it, resulting in four walks (only 45 of his 87 pitches went for strikes) in his 4.2 innings; however, he did allow only a single hit and run and struck out three. Jim Henderson and Mark Willinsky finished out the last 4.1 innings for Huntsville to cap the rout. Huntsville play-by-play The Stars' biggest inning was their four-run 7th. You know it's a good game when your middle relievers get to hit: Lee Haydel walks. With Anderson Machado batting, wild pitch by James Adkins, Lee Haydel to 2nd. Anderson Machado singles on a line drive to right fielder Tommy Giles. Lee Haydel scores. Coaching visit to mound. Jim Henderson flies out to center fielder Trayvon Robinson. Lorenzo Cain grounds out, pitcher James Adkins to first baseman Corey Smith. Anderson Machado to 2nd. Brett Lawrie triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Tommy Giles. Anderson Machado scores. Caleb Gindl walks. Pitcher Change: Jesus Rodriguez replaces James Adkins, batting 9th. Jonathan Lucroy doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Tommy Giles. Brett Lawrie scores. Caleb Gindl scores. Taylor Green grounds out, second baseman Jaime Pedroza to first baseman Corey Smith.

Final: Daytona 7, Brevard County 4 (12 innings) Brevard County box score It took Daytona until the 4th inning of the third game of the year to score against the Manatees, but they finally broke out with a four-spot against Dan Merklinger. BC got the runs back in the 7th, and nobody scored again until nepo-tastic Michael Brenly's two-out, three-run walk-off shot off Nick Tyson in the 12th. In between, Dan Meadows, Nick Green, and Corey Frerichs each tossed two innings of scoreless baseball. Kentrail Davis continued his hot start by getting on base three times, 1-3 with a HBP and intentional walk. Unfortunately, that was the only walk the Manatees drew all game. My favorite backup catcher, Mike Roberts, was 3-5 in his season debut. Brevard County play-by-play The heartbreak: Daytona Bottom 12th Pitcher Change: Nick Tyson replaces Corey Frerichs. Brett Jackson flies out to left fielder Erik Miller. DJ LeMahieu grounds out, shortstop Brent Brewer to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard. Kyler Burke singles on a line drive to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Josh Vitters singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Kyler Burke to 2nd. Michael Brenly homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Kyler Burke scores. Josh Vitters scores.

Mad that Chad accused him of being an American, Lawrie adds an RBI triple.

Rogers struggled with his control all day, but the wheels came off a bit in the 5th: he walked two guys, gave up his first hit (a double), and threw a wild pitch. Nevertheless, a decent enough start to open the season, and his velocity was fine. Lawrie just clubbed his first homer of the year. Line drive down the left field line.

"Rogers consistently around 93, 94, 95 miles an hour."

Nice start for Huntsville. After Cain was retired to begin the game, Lawrie walkd, Gindl doubled him home, Lucroy walked, and Green doubled, scoring Gindl. EDIT: Rogers struck out the first two Lookouts in the bottom of the 1st, and then Cain made a diving catch to end the inning. EDIT: Rogers pulls a mini-Braddock, doubling off the wall in his second career plate appearance and first since 2005.

Cougars double up Rattlers Chris Mehring/TimberRattlers.com GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Kane County Cougars built a 7-0 lead, held off rally by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and picked up a 10-5 decision on Saturday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. Each of the nine Cougars batters in the lineup collected at least one hit. Myrio Richard, Conner Crumbliss, and Leonardo Gil each drove in two runs for Kane County. The Cougars (1-2) plated five runs in the top of the fourth to take control of the game. Rattlers starting pitcher Efrain Nieves walked the leadoff batter in the frame and Rashun Dixon doubled to drive in the runner and break the scoreless tie. One out later Nieves gave up another walk and a single to load the bases. An error and a fielder’s choice sent two runs across the plate for a 3-0 lead and chase Nieves from the game. Richard, the designated hitter for Kane County, greeted Wisconsin reliever Caleb Thielbar with a two run double to push the score to 5-0. Wisconsin (2-1) had a chance to cut into that lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as they loaded the bases with one out. Kane County starting pitcher Dan Straily ended the threat with a pair of strikeouts. The Cougars added to the lead in the top of the fifth. An error allowed one run to score. An RBI double by Gil gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead. Wisconsin whittled away at the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Franklin Romero, Jr. tripled in a run and would score on a sacrifice fly by D’Vontrey Richardson. The Rattlers chipped away at the lead again with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Wisconsin loaded the bases with no outs and managed three runs. Joey Paciorek knocked in the first with a grounder. Carlos George’s sacrifice fly sent the second run of the inning home. Then, Romero doubled to score the final run of the inning for a 7-5 score. That was as close as Wisconsin would get. Kane County padded their lead with a solo homer by Max Stassi in the seventh and a two-run single by Crumbliss in the eighth. Straily struck out six and walked one over five innings for the win, his first in the Midwest League. Efrain Nieves took the loss for Wisconsin. He was touched for five runs (three earned) on just two hits. However, Nieves walked four, hit a batter, and was charged with all five runs scored by the Cougars in the fifth inning. Wisconsin welcomes the Clinton LumberKings to Time Warner Cable Field Sunday evening. Damon Krestalude is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton plans on sending Jonathan Hesketh to the hill. Game time on Sunday is 5:05pm.

Final: Kane County 10, Wisconsin 5 Wisconsin box score Efrain Nieves pitched three hitless, scoreless (albeit wild) innings before things came unglued in the 4th, though Carlos George gets a big assist for his error on what sounded like it could have been a double play that would have gotten Nieves out of the inning having allowed only one run. Del Howell was also ineffective, allowing three runs on five hits in his three innings of work while striking out none. The Rattlers were in a 7-0 hole, but climbed to within 7-5, thanks in particular to Franklin Romero's RBI double and RBI triple; the only other extra-base hit for the Rattlers was Khris Davis's double. The team went 1-7 with RISP, scoring their other three runs on outs, with D'Vontrey Richardson and George each tallying sac flies and Joey Paciorek knocking in a run with a bases-loaded ground out. Richardson remains hitless since his first at-bat. Chris Dennis and Cameron Garfield each reached base twice, the former with two walks and the latter with a single and HBP. Wisconsin play-by-play

Doing their best to dissociate themselves with the punchless '09 squad, the Rattlers have scored five runs in the last two innings to bring it to 7-5 after six. Franklin Romero is having a really nice game, with both an RBI double and RBI triple--that's seven triples in 61 career games. Chris Dennis has walked twice, so that's five in ten plate appearances so far this year. EDIT: Del Howell gave up a solo homer to prospect Max Stassi in the top of the 7th, Stassi's first pro home run. The Rattlers just went down in order in the bottom. EDIT: Howell's gave two more in the 8th so far on three straight one-out hits to make it 10-5. He got out of it on a liner to Gennett, who doubled the runner off first to end the inning. Sounds like Howell's not fooling anyone: five hits and no strikeouts in two innings.

I knew when the box score took forever to update that it wasn't going to be pretty for Nieves, but yeesh: Kane County Top 4th Kent Walton walks. With Rashun Dixon batting, Kent Walton steals (1) 2nd base. With Rashun Dixon batting, Kent Walton steals (2) 3rd base. Rashun Dixon doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Kent Walton scores. Max Stassi flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Franklin Hernandez walks. Michael Gilmartin singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Rashun Dixon to 3rd. Franklin Hernandez to 2nd. Leonardo Gil reaches on force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Carlos George. Rashun Dixon scores. Franklin Hernandez to 3rd. Michael Gilmartin to 2nd. Tyreace House grounds into a force out, shortstop Carlos George to second baseman Ryan Gennett. Franklin Hernandez scores. Michael Gilmartin to 3rd. Leonardo Gil out at 2nd. Tyreace House to 1st. Pitcher Change: Caleb Thielbar replaces Efrain Nieves. Myrio Richard doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Michael Gilmartin scores. Tyreace House scores. Conner Crumbliss called out on strikes. Talk about making the most of three hits. Great timing on the first error of the year from Carlos George. EDIT: Nevermind, he committed an error yesterday, too. I'm not surprised.

That's too bad. I liked him better as Scooter "Genet".

Stars Fall to Lookouts in Season Opener Jill Cacic/HuntsvilleStars.com The Huntsville Stars started the season on a high note, scoring two runs in the first inning Thursday night against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Unfortunately, that note went sour as the Stars lost their 2-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth, eventually falling to the Lookouts 4-2 in the season opener. Lorenzo Cain led off the 2010 season with a single through the hole at shortstop off of Lookouts starter Chris Withrow. Cain kept the momentum going by immediately stealing second with Brett Lawrie at the plate. Lawrie hit a rocket into right-center field for a single, bringing Cain home for the Stars' first run of the season. After Caleb Gindl lined out to Lookouts' first baseman Eddy Perez, catcher Jonathan Lucroy hit a single to left field, sending Lawrie to third. Lawrie eventually scored off a sacrifice fly by Stars' third baseman Taylor Green. Steffan Wilson ended the inning with a pop up. Stars starter Amaury Rivas took the mound in the bottom of the first with a comfortable 2-0 lead. After the Lookouts' first batter, Elian Herrera, ground out, Rivas gave up a double to center fielder Trayvon Robinson, followed by a single from left fielder Adam Lambo. Robinson was thrown out at home by Lawrie. Catcher Lucas May struck out looking to end the inning. Bats for both teams stayed pretty quiet until the 6th inning when Brandon Kintzler took the mound in relief of Rivas. Lambo got on first by a fielding error from shortstop Zelous Wheeler. Right fielder Scott Van Slyke brought him home with a double to left field, scoring the Lookouts' first run of the season. Second baseman Jamie Pedroza lined out to Lorenzo Cain to end the inning, 2-1 Stars. The Stars and Lookouts battled it out for the next two innings, but in the end neither team was able to get another run on the scoreboard. With the Stars still leading 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th, pitcher Casey Baron got Robinson to bunt out and walked Lambo. Robert Hinton came in in relief of Baron with one on and one out. Green overthrew to first, getting May on base and advancing Lambo, putting men on second and third. Wheeler threw Lambo out at home with a fielder's choice hit by Perez. Van Slyke doubled to left field, scoring May and Perez, giving the Lookouts a 3-2 lead. Van Slyke made it to third on the throw and eventually across the plate on a single by Tommy Giles. The Lookouts end the inning on a strikeout but not before taking the lead 4-2. Unfortunately, the Stars would be unable to score in the top of the 9th and the game would end in the Lookouts' favor, 4-2. However, today is a new day and the Stars look to add the first one to the win column for 2010 tonight at 6:15 EST when Alex Periard takes the mount for Huntsville.

D-Cubs get 1 hit in opener Daytona Beach News-Journal VIERA -- It seems someone forgot to tell the Daytona Cubs hitters the season started Thursday. Daytona got just one hit -- a single by catcher Michael Brenly in the second inning -- in losing its season opener 3-0 to the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium. The game was a scoreless pitcher's duel until the eighth, when an error by Cubs shortstop Junior Lake on the inning's first batter turned out to be a bad omen. Matt Cline reached on the error, then Juan Sanchez singled off Cubs reliever Dae-Eun Rhee. Brent Brewer sacrificed the runners to third, and Rhee intentionally walked Erik Komatsu to load the bases before being replaced by Luke Sommer. Sommer walked the first batter he faced, Kentrail Davis, to force in Cline for the game's first run, and Brock Kjeldgaard singled in Sanchez and Komatsu to make it 3-0. The three runs were charged to Rhee, who fell to 0-1. Cubs starter Rafael Dolis allowed two hits and struck out five in five innings. Manatees reliever Lucas Luetge pitched a hitless eighth and picked up the win. Nick Green pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

Timber Rattlers beat snow in opener Lindsay Veremis/WLUK-TV GRAND CHUTE - A spring tradition was in full swing Friday, as Brewers' minor league affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers opened their season with a double header. The team was scheduled to open Thursday, but Spring Storm Ella had other plans and forced a cancellation. Oh, what a difference a day makes. "We had snow yesterday, game opener can't ask for anything better than a double header and Suppan pitching the first game," Tyler Techlin said as he stood over his grill. Yesterday's hot cocoa, was passed over for Friday's cold brew. Blankets were at the ready, but winter layers slipped away. Fans said an opening day, even delayed, hadn't lost its magic. "The snow it puts a damper on it, but sunshine today makes it all worthwhile," Adam Thomas of Appleton said. The team will play through quite a bit of bad weather, but President Rob Zerjav says it couldn't trudge through snow. "With this one it was obvious," he said. "When we woke up on Thursday morning there was nothing you're gonna do, it was just the way it was. You roll with the punches and just get ready for the next day." Zerjav says it's not easy, but with eager fans and players itching to get started, the game goes on. "He was a little disappointed but he's happy they're getting it in today, he's ready to go," Tim Dennis said of his son, infielder Chris Dennis. Dennis drove eight hours from Ontario to Chris play. "It was 74 when I left there and when we came up here it was nice the first day, but the second day you just got that unexpected four inches of snow," he said. Dennis preferred Friday's weather and plenty would agree. "Whenever it's not snowing it's okay, sunshine is good," Thomas said. The Timber Rattlers say the delay hurt opening day attendance, but the team is expecting numbers will increase as the season goes on. Last year the team set an attendance record.

Sounds Beat Iowa, 5-2, On Three Homers NashvilleSounds.com DES MOINES, Iowa - The Nashville Sounds moved to 2-0 with a 5-2 win over the division-rival Cubs on Friday evening at Principal Park. All five runs were scored via the long ball, as catcher Angel Salome, shortstop Luis Cruz, and first baseman Joe Koshansky belted their first home runs of the season in the victory. Nashville starter Chuck Logren (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in his Sounds debut to earn the win. Nashville's bullpen has shutout Iowa over the first two games of the series, recording 6.1 innings of combined scoreless ball. Salome put Nashville on the board in the top of the second inning with his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field off Iowa starter Jay Jackson. The Cubs tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning with a Micah Hoffpauir home run off Sounds starter Chuck Lofgren. After Salome reached on an infield single in the fifth, newly acquired shortstop Luis Cruz jacked a two-run homer to left field that put the Sounds back ahead at 3-1. Left fielder Jason Dubois got another run back for the Cubs, bringing Iowa within one run at 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, with his first homer of the season. In his Triple-A debut, Sounds right-hander Mike McClendon relieved Lofgren later in the inning and fanned Welington Castillo to end the inning for his first strikeout victim. After outfielder Brendan Katin was hit by a John Gaub pitch, first baseman Joe Koshansky added insurance to the Sounds lead, hammering a two-out, two-run homer over the right field wall for a 5-2 lead. McClendon struck out three over two scoreless innings in relief. Newcomer A.J. Murray recorded a crucial out in the bottom of the eighth inning, while right-handed John Axford threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save of the year. Both teams continue with the third game of a four-game series at 6:35 pm on Saturday night at Principal Park. Right-hander Marco Estrada, an off-season waiver claim from the Washington Nationals, makes his Brewers organization debut when he starts for the Sounds against Cubs right-hander Thomas Diamond.

Kevin Goldstein:

Lots of talk since instructs about Peralta's improved changeup, so things look pretty good for now as far as him remaining a starter. After Davis was drafted, the scouting reports seemed skeptical about his ability to remain in center, but Seid said they were going to let him play there initially and see how he does, which I think is great--that's what the minor leagues are for. I'd like to see Gennett playing shortstop for now for the same reason.

2010 starts with a Rattlers win Chris Mehring/TimberRattlers.com Scooter Gennett’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh gave the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers a 3-2 victory over the Kane County Cougars Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Wisconsin picked up the victory in game one of a doubleheader to open the 2010 season. Cameron Garfield gave the Timber Rattlers (1-0) the lead in the first inning. D’Vontrey Richardson started the Rattlers with an infield single, took second on an error, and third on a wild pitch. But, Richardson was still at third base with two outs. Then, Garfield drove him in with a single to center. Kane County (0-1) broke through against Wisconsin starting pitcher Jeff Suppan in the top of the fourth inning. Chris Affinito doubled and went to third on a single by Max Stassi. Mike Gilmartin followed with an RBI single to tie the game 1-1. Suppan, who was making a rehab start for the Milwaukee Brewers, walked the next batter to load the bases with no outs. He would get out of the inning with a strikeout and a 1-2-3 double play. Suppan went 4-1/3 innings on the evening, allowed one run on seven hits, walked three, and struck out four. But, he was not involved in the decision. The Cougars broke the tie in the top of the sixth inning. Rattlers reliever Andre Lamontagne walked a pair of batters with one out. He would a strikeout for out number two, but a double steal on strike three allowed the Cougars to get a runner to third. Conner Crumbliss cashed in the go-ahead run with an infield single. Wisconsin rallied back in the bottom of the sixth inning. Khris Davis walked to start the inning and went to second on an infield grounder. Chris Dennis was next and he lined a single to left-center to send Davis home with the tying run. The winning rally started on Joey Paciorek’s leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh. A sacrifice bunt by Carlos George moved Paciorek into scoring position. Franklin Romero, Jr. was walked intentionally to set up the double play. However, Richardson was retired on a tapper in front of the plate that did not allow the Cougars to turn two. Gennett’s winning hit was a grounder that got past the mound. Crumbliss charged from his position at second base, but could not get Gennett. Paciorek crossed home with the winning run.

Final: Nashville 5, Iowa 2 Nashville box score Chuck Lofgren's Brewers debut was quite encouraging, as he struck out six and walked only one over 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits. Though both runs came on solo homers, he kept the ball down in general, getting six ground outs to four fly outs. John Axford picked up his first save for the Sounds, striking out one and walking one in the 9th. The wind must have been blowing out--the Sounds hit three homers to one-up the I-Cubs, with Angel Salome, Luis Cruz, and Joe Koshansky doing the honors. Salome and Cruz were each 2-4 overall. Nashville play-by-play