Sergio starts poorly, McGlinchey continues comeback, Craig appealing suspension, and Daytona takes no-hitter into the seventh.

ICubs lose 11-3. Some post-spring-training disappointment? Sergio Mitre figured to give Iowa a good chance to get their first victory of the season tonight, but instead he allowed 5 runs in the first inning, 6 total, as Iowa lost again. Mitre wasn't alone. Will Ohman, who battled for the last big league bullpen spot this spring, gave up 4 runs in 1 inning of work. Both hits allowed by Ohman were home runs. David Kelton, starting in right field again, hit a solo home run.

West Tennessee won 5-4, in game 1 of a doubleheader. Starting pitcher Richard Hill didn't fair too well, allowing 4 runs in 5.1 innings, on 4 hits (including 2 homers) and 3 walks. But relievers Andrew Shipman, Kevin McGlinchy, and Federico Baez threw 3.2 innings of shutout ball to allow the Diamond Jaxx to overcome a 4-3 deficit. Some may remember McGlinchy as the 22-year-old reliever who threw 70.1 innings for the Atlanta Braves in 1999, posting a 154 ERA+. He also threw 2 shutout innings in the 1999 World Series against the Yankees. Arm injuries derailed his career; he didn't pitch in either 2001 or 2002, pitched (poorly) in the independent leagues in 2003, and then made 6 starts for Iowa last year. At the plate for West Tenn, centerfielder Felix Pie had 2 doubles and a walk, and Brandon Sing homered. Following up on yesterday's comment about Matt Craig, the Jackson Sun confirms that Craig is appealing his 15-game suspension for testing positive for steriods.

West Tennessee won 4-3, in game 2 of a doubleheader. Not a lot of offense in this game. The teams combined for 4 errors. Starter Rocky Cherry gave up 3 runs, 1 earned, in 4 innings, walking 1 and striking out 4. Reliever Ryan O'Malley had an impressive performance. He threw 3 perfect innings, striking out 5 of the 9 batters he faced. O'Malley turned 25 Saturday. He's repeating Double-A.

Daytona won 2-0. Starting pitcher Carlos Marmol threw 6 no-hit innings before being pulled. He walked 2 and struck out 4. Three relievers finished the shutout (the combined no-hitter was lost in the 7th inning). Marmol, 22 and from the Dominican Republic, spent the first three years of his Cubs' career as a position player before converting to pitcher in 2003. Daytona only managed 4 hits themselves, all singles. Shortstop Carlos Rojas's 2-RBI single was the difference.

Peoria lost 9-4. Starter Darin Downs gave up 6 runs, 5 earned, in 5 innings. The Chiefs gave up a total of 4 unearned runs, as they committed 5 errors, 2 by third baseman Aaron Smith. Leftfielder Luis Montanez went 3-3 with 2 doubles. Eric Patterson had a triple and a walk.