The Cubs' double-A affiliate West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx defeated Jacksonville 7-4 in the opening game of the Southern League championship series tonight. Jae-kuk Ryu, who had a 3.34 ERA in 169.2 innings during the regular season, pitched 6 innings for the win, despite giving up 4 runs. Second baseman and leadoff hitter Eric Patterson, who spent most of the season being the best player at low-A Peoria before his recent promotion, went 3-4 with a walk, double, and run scored. Brandon Sing and Matt Craig both homered. Jonathan Searles, David Aardsma, and Andy Shipman pitched three hitless innings out of the bullpen.

UPDATE (9/14/2005 12:30pm CT): John Hill at The Cub Reporter notes that the Diamond Jaxx defeated one of the best minor league pitchers in the game right now in Chad Billingsley. He also sounds a note of caution regarding Eric Patterson's excellent season.