Iowa Cubs

Baseball games can provide something that you've never seen before. I experienced a few of those things today while watching the Chicago Cubs' Triple A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs take on the New Orleans Zephyr's, associated with the Miami Marlins.

To begin with, the starting pitchers of each time had no-hitters going for the first few innings. However the Cubs' Casey Coleman's bid was erased on an infield single by his opposing moundsman, Alex Sanabia in the third. Sanabia didn't only have a no-hitter going into the sixth, but it was also a perfect game. However that ended when Casey Coleman doubled off the right-field wall with two outs. Both pitchers didn't let those hits deter their play, but Coleman was taken out after seven only allowing 2 hits and striking out 9.

A total of four hits were allowed in this nine-inning affair, one each from the starting pitchers. Sanabia stayed strong into the 8th as he had seven strikeouts over the course of the 8 innings, but with runners on the corners and one out, Sanabia got his spike stuck in the mound while in his motion and balked in the winning run. And that was the final, 1-0 Iowa Cubs.

 Above, Casey Coleman comes off the mound following the third inning. The young prospect in the Cubs' organization has had a chance in the majors, and based off his showing today, he is making the most of improving in Des Moines. His era on the year is 3.48.

 Another prospect in Des Moines in first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo has shown great promise to make the parent team while in spring training, and at some time will make that next step. But in Chicago Bryan LaHair has been hitting the ball well, and there hasn't been a place to move him to. However if Rizzo keeps up his .355 batting average, someone in Chicago will be finding time on the bench. Today Rizzo struck out twice and popped up to the third baseman in the batter's box in his first at-bat.

Former Chicago Cubs catcher, Ron Hassey is now the manager of the New Orleans Zephyrs. I believe Hassey was brought to Chicago with Rick Sutcliffe in exchange for Mel Hall.