If you'd like to have the entire I-Cubs or Chicago Cubs schedule in your Outlook or Google calendar, check this site: www.mysportscal.com

After today's 17-7 win, the Iowa Cubs are now 21-16 and in first place in the American North division of the Pacific Coast League. Two infielders are playing big parts in Iowa's success: second baseman Eric Patterson and third baseman (and 2B and SS) Mike Fontenot.

Patterson was 2-for-4 with 2 walks today and now has had a multi-hit game in seven straight games. For the year, he's hitting .339/.389/.517.

. . . unless your name is Mark Prior, who will be sent there to start the season. Prior threw 3 innings today, allowing 3 unearned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. (Prior was clearly hurt by some bad outfield defense today.) He is still throwing in the mid-80s. The Sporting News' Stan McNeal thinks that Prior's once-supposed perfect mechanics "have been flawed all along," based on an anonymous coach who "refused to give details and wouldn't go on the record." Perhaps. Perhaps it was the line drive to the elbow, the collision with Marcus Giles, the heel problem, or too many pitches thrown. Likely, some combination.

In any event, the pitcher formerly known as The Franchise is now a minor leaguer. A rich minor leaguer, but still a minor leaguer.

Jim Hendry says this: "We'll make a spot for him when he's ready, I promise you that." It is better to not make promises unless you know you can keep them. Prior is now on the outside looking in. Not only does he need to improve at Iowa, someone in the rotation will have to falter. That's possible, even likely, but not certain.