SB Nation - Welington Castillo

Cubs AFL Update

Josh77 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:35:00 -0000

I hadn't done anything with the Arizona Fall League so far. I thought that the fanposts you all were doing was handling the situation pretty well. But the AFL is a little over two weeks old now, so it's probably time for an update.

Just some few basic information to start. The Arizona Fall League is a post-season league for minor leaguers. mostly from AA and AAA teams. The six teams play in the Spring Training complexes in the Cactus League. The Cub prospects are on the Mesa Solar Sox, a team that is also stocked with players from the Angels, Red Sox, Marlins and Twins.

Generally, the AFL is considered a hitters league. Usually teams don't send their top pitching prospects to Arizona, preferring to let them rest their arms. This year the pitching is a little better, with hurlers such as the Yankees' Ian Kennedy, the Reds' Mike Leake, the Rangers' Tanner Schleppers, our Andrew Cashner and some guy who plays for the Nationals named Stephen Strasburg. Still, the league continues to favor offense by a large margin, so take that into account when looking at the stats.

Also, don't forget that the Mesa Solar Sox have 37 players from six teams (they've got one lone Blue Jay for some reason) on their roster. So if it doesn't seem like a Cub player is playing much or playing out of position, don't forget that other teams want to get their players into the game as well.

So having said that, the Cubs prospects are mostly having a strong Autumn down in the Valley of the Sun. I'll summarize all seven players' season after the jump.

Starlin Castro: 12 Games. 18-43 .419 AVE. 2 2B. 2 SB 3 BB 3 SO.

Castro is making it tough to determine who the top prospect in the Cubs system right now. He's turning the heads of a lot of scouts down in Arizona. Even more important, he's only made one error in Arizona after making a bucketload of them in the minors this past season. There is very little doubt now that he'll play SS in the majors one day soon. No, not this April. The only question is whether he'll develop either the power or the OBP skills to be an all-star.

Josh Vitters: 9 Games. 13-37 .351 AVE 3 2B. 2 BB 5 SO.

While Castro is showing some impressive talents in Mesa, Josh Vitters is showing that the wrist problems that hindered him in the second half of the season are behind him. He still isn't walking much, which is troubling, but he is there to work on his swing and testing his wrists. If Castro has passed him as the #1 prospect in the system, it's not because Vitters is disappointing anyone in Arizona.

Welington Castillo: 4 Games. 5-14 .357 AVE 1 HR. 2 BB 5 SO.

Castillo hasn't played much, but he's been fine when he gets into the game.

Andrew Cashner: 3 starts. 1-2 record 3.72 ERA. 9.2 IP 6 Hits. 3 BB 7 K.

Cashner has made three starts. In the first one, he got rocked for three runs in two innings, including a home run. In the second game, he allowed only one run in 3.2 innings and didn't walk anyone. In the third game this past Wednesday, Cashner threw four no-hit innings, walking two and striking out four. He reportedly hit a high of 96 mph on his fastball and was throwing a wicked slider. Someone is going to call Cashner the top prospect in the system this off-season, too.

James Russell: 5 Games 0-1 2.57 ERA. 7 IP 8 Hits. 2 BB 6 K

The lefty has been pitching out of the bullpen in the AFL and has been effective. After his first appearance when he gave up thre runs in two innings, he's thrown five shutout innings.

Blake Parker: 5 Games. 1-1 5.40 ERA. 5 IP 7 Hits. 2 BB 3 K

Parker's been going in the opposite direction of Russell, having started out the season strong but he's given up three runs total in his last two relief appearances. He gave up two solo home runs last Saturday in the one inning he pitched.

John Gaub: 5 Games. 1-1 14.40 ERA. 5 IP 10 Hits. 1 BB 8 K

Gaub is the one Cub having a really miserable AFL experience. He's given up at least one run in four of the five games he's pitched, including one game where he allowed four runs on four hits in his one inning. At least the strikeout-to-walk ratio is nice.

If anyone actually cares, the Mesa Solar Sox are 5-10, which is the worst record in the AFL. All I can say is that it's not the Cub players fault.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 4

Josh77 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:58:49 -0000

The Jacksonville Suns won the Southern League Championship tonight as they blinded our Tennessee Smokies, 7-3.

Today's game got off to a good start, as the Smokies scored two runs in the bottom of the second on a double by second baseman Tony Thomas.

But Smokies starter Andrew Cashner couldn't hold the lead. Cashner gave up one run in the top of the third, which Tennessee promptly got back in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by left fielder Ty Wright. But Cashner got into real trouble in the fourth inning. He walked two men and then allowed a three-run home run to the opposing pitcher to give Jacksonville a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish.

For the evening, Cashner threw four innings and allowed four runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out only one.

After the fourth inning, the Smokies offense couldn't do anything. They never even got a man as far as second base again before the ninth inning. Meanwhile, the Smokies defense made three errors in the sixth inning which led to two runs. Shortstop Starlin Castro muffed a ground ball and pitcher Jayson Ruhlman moved the runner to second base on a wild pickoff throw. The next batter bunted, and Castro made a throwing error which allowed the original runner to score. That runner would eventually score later in the inning.

The Suns tacked on their seventh run in the seventh inning off of reliever Alex Maestri.

The Smokies did mount a threat in the ninth when the first two batters reached on a single and a walk. But after right fielder Tyler Colvin grounded into a force out, he then inexplicably got picked off first base with a man on second and one out.

Wright was the big bat for the Smokies tonight--he went 3 for 4 with the home run. Catcher Welington Castillo was 2 for 3.

It was a disappointing finish to the season, but congratulations anyway to Ryne Sandberg and the Smokies as they had a very successful season.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 3

Josh77 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:21:48 -0000

Shortstop Starlin Castro singled home Brandon Guyer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Smokies a 5-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns. The win keeps the Smokies title hopes alive. They now trail Jacksonville two games to one.

There was a lot of scoring early in this game, as Smokies starting pitcher Casey Coleman allowed a run in the top of the first after a one-out double, a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly. But the Smokies came roaring back for three runs in the bottom of the inning, scoring on singles by first baseman Blake Lalli, third baseman Marquez Smith and catcher Welington Castillo.

Coleman couldn't hold the lead, however, as he allowed a two-run home run in the second inning and another run in the third to give the Suns a 4-3 lead. Coleman's final line for the evening was four innings pitched, allowing four runs on five hits. Coleman walked three and struck out four.

The bullpen then stepped in and kept the game close. David Cales pitched two shutout innings in relief of Coleman. He allowed only one hit and one (intentional) walk. Cales struck out two.

The Smokies tied the game in the fifth inning when right fielder Tyler Colvin doubled home left fielder Ty Wright. The score would stay knotted at four until the ninth inning.

Pitching in his third inning of relief, Marcos Mateo allowed a one-out triple in the ninth inning. With the Smokies season on the line, Mateo got a shallow fly out and a strike out to get out of the inning with no damage. Mateo, who was credited with the win tonight, went three innings and allowed two hits. He struck out three and isssued one intentional walk in that ninth inning.

With one out in the ninth, Guyer pinch-hit for Mateo and singled to left. He then stole second base and was singled home by Castro to end the game and keep the season going for the Smokies.

Castro was 2 for 5 with that one huge RBI. Wright went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Lalli was 1 for 1 with one RBI and three walks.

Andrew Cashner takes the mound for the Smokies tomorrow night as they look to stave off elimination one more time and even the series. This has been an exciting series, as two games were ended on singles in the bottom of the ninth and all three games were one-run affairs.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 1 Sept. 15

Josh77 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:29:49 -0000

It was a topsy-turvey game with a controversial finish, but in the end the Smokies ended up on the wrong end of a 6-5 loss in ten innings to the Jacksonville Suns. The Smokies now trail the best-of-five series one game to none.

Starter Chris Carpenter got off to a terrible start in the bottom of the first inning, giving up a bases-loaded triple that put the Smokies down 3-0. After that he settled down and Carpenter went 4.1 innings, allowing the three runs on four hits. Carpenter walked four and struck out five.

But the Smokies struck back in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on a double by catcher Welington Castillo. The Smokies would go on to tie the game in the fourth inning when first baseman Blake Lalli and right fielder Tyler Colvin led off the inning with back-to-back doubles.

The score would remain tied at three until the bottom of the eighth, when reliever David Cales allowed a run. A leadoff single ended up on third base with nobody out. after a stolen base and a bad throw by Castillo. A strikeout and a line out made it look like Cales might pitch out of the jam, but a two-out single put the Suns up 4-3.

The Smokies have been fighting back the whole post-season, and tonight was no different. In the top of the ninth, the Smokies tied the score when second baseman Jonathan Mota singled home third baseman Marquez Smith. However, the Smokies failed to take the lead later in the inning when Mota was thrown out trying to score from third on a fly ball to center field. Smokies manager Ryne Sandberg was ejected arguing the call.

Cales pitched 1.2 innings tonight. He gave up one run on two hits. He walked one and struck out two.

The game then went into extra-innings and the Smokies fortunes looked bright when Smith singled home center fielder James Adduci to give the Smokies a 5-4 lead. Unfortunately, left fielder Ty Wright was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the same play.

Looking to get his fourth save in as many games, Smokies closer Brian Schlitter struck out the first two batters he faced. But he then fell behind 3-1 to Suns catcher Brad Davis, who deposited the next pitch over the left-center field fence. Schlitter did not retire another batter, allowing singles to the next three batters and ending the game.

The third, game-winning, single was highly-controversial. The batter was initially called out at first base after hitting a slow-roller to third. But after an argument and the Suns manager asking the first base umpire to ask the home plate umpire for help, the call was overturned and first baseman Lalli was ruled to have been off the bag, allowing the winning run to score.

Marquez Smith was the big hitting star for the Smokies, going 3 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and had one RBI. Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Smokies will try to even the series tomorrow night as Jeremy Papelbon will take the mound against Suns pitcher Graham Taylor, who started at Wrigley against the Chicago Cubs on May 1st and who was almost traded to the Cubs for Jacque Jones two years ago.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- September 12

Josh77 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:47:59 -0000

Pinch-hitter Russ Canzler stepped up in a big way with a bases-loaded double in the fourth inning that propelled the Tennessee Smokies to a 5-2 victory over the Huntsville Stars. The Smokies now have a two games to one lead in the best-of-five playoff series.

Starter Andrew Cashner faced off against the Huntsville starter, former Smokie Mark Holliman. For three innings, the two pitchers held the batters scoreless. In the fourth inning, Cashner gave up a two-run double with one out and the Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

But the Smokies answered in the bottom of the inning. After Holliman retired the first two batters easily, third baseman Marquez Smith doubled and catcher Welington Castillo walked. An infield single by Jonathan Mota loaded the bases for Cashner, who manager Ryne Sandberg removed for Canzler, who cleared the bases with a double.

Cashner finished the night having pitched four innings and he allowed two runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out one and got the Stars to ground into two double plays.

The Smokies bullpen shut the Stars down the rest of the way. Alex Maestri allowed three hits but no runs over 1.2 innings. He walked one and struck out one. David Cales was awarded the win with 2.1 perfect innings, striking out two. Finally, Brian Schlitter pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.

The Smokies tacked on insurance runs on a Tyler Colvin sac fly in the fifth inning and a James Adduci walk with the bases loaded in the eighth.

Adduci was 2 for 3 with two walks and a stolen base tonight. Mota was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Smokies will try to end the series tomorrow afternoon when Hung-Wen Chen takes the mound.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- September 7

Josh77 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:36:36 -0000

All the races are decided, and we've only got three teams playing their final game of the regular season.

There will be no wrap tomorrow because there aren't any games. Peoria's playoffs start on Wednesday and I'll be here with coverage of their game with Cedar Rapids. Tennessee's quest for the title starts on Thursday at Huntsville.

Iowa Cubs (72-72)

The Iowa Cubs finished out their year with a 7-2 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Starter Jeff Samardzija took the loss today, going only 4.2 innings and allowing 5 runs on seven hits. That will give a lot of ammo to his critics, but on the good side, the Shark only walked one and struck out five.

Third baseman Matt Camp was 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. He also scored once and stole his 18th base. If only Camp had even a little power . . .Left fielder So Taguchi went 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies (39-31)

The Smokies finished off the season by taking the final four games against their arch-rival, including today's 5-4 victory over the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.

Ryno got work in for four pitchers today, including starter Casey Coleman, who allowed two runs over three innings. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out two.

Marco Carillo got the win. He relieved Coleman and pitched two innings, allowing one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out three. David Cales got his second save in AA with two perfect innings. Cales had one strikeout.

DH Welington Castillo was 2 for 2 with a double.

Peoria Chiefs (43-26)

The Chiefs ended their regular season by chopping down the Clinton LumberKings, 4-3.

Starter Alberto Cabrera went five innings. He allowed two runs on four hits. Cabrera walked one and struck out seven.

Manolin DeLeon only threw one inning of relief, but that was enough to get the win. He gave up one run on no hits, but two walks and a hit batsman. DeLeon did not have a strikeout.

Jeff Beliveau pitched the final two innings for his third save. He did not allow a run or a hit. Beliveau walked one and struck out four.

Center fielder Jose Valdez had another three steals today, which gives him eight in the eight games he's played in Peoria. Valdez was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and knocked one in.

Third baseman Junior Lake had two steals in a 3 for 4 game. Lake also scored once and had one RBI.

First baseman Michael Brenly was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- September 5

Josh77 — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:55:10 -0000

I'm back. (No thanks to AT&T) Did anyone miss me?

I'm not going to bore you with the details. . .oh what the heck, I am. My DSL modem/router decided to blow up on its one month birthday on Monday. After a long call to AT&T and tech support telling me to balance it on my knee and bark like a seal while rubbing my tummy and patting my head to see if that would make it work, it was concluded that the thing truly melted down and that it was bad and had to be replaced. We were told that we would have a new one by Wednesday, Thursday by the latest. By the time we actually got a hold of someone on Friday, it became very clear that not only was a modem not coming, no one had even bothered to record that there was even a problem. And of course, because I live on the West Coast, everyone who could help us had already gone home for the Labor Day Weekend. They told us to go to an AT&T wireless store in my area and they could help me. They laughed in our faces and told me they didn't do that kind of stuff. (So clearly some CSR had just made something up to get us off the phone) Finally around 7pm tonight, I found someone who could help us--Best Buy. Of course, because I live out in the boonies now, the nearest Best Buy is a half hour away and they could only help us after we gave them $110.

So yes, I am going to start looking for alternatives to AT&T. Unfortunately, because of my current rural life, my options may be limited or even non-existent.

Let's be honest--without the internet, following the minor leagues on a daily basis is impossible. Oh, I know how the River Cats and the Grizzlies have been doing because that's in the local news, but I've had no idea what's been going on in the Cubs minors this week. So I'm going to try to get up to speed this weekend as the playoffs start this week.

I'm sorry for my absence during this critical week. But living in Hooterville along with caring for an 18 month old girl made it nearly impossible to go out and do the MLW, and beside, AT&T lied to me about how quickly this would all be taken care of.

Good news out of AA after the jump.

Iowa Cubs (71-71)

I see the I-Cubs playoff hopes went down the toilet while I was away. Tonight they lost their sixth straight game as they were atomized by the Albuquerque Isotopes, 8-3.

Ezequiel Astacio started and . . .hey, when the heck did we get him? Man, you miss a lot. Anyway, Astacio started and got the loss, giving up two runs in four innings. He surrendered six hits. Astacio walked one and struck out three.

Shortstop Darwin Barney went 2 for 3 with a double. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies (37-31)

The magic number is now one for the Smokies playoff birth as they caved in the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 3-1.

Last time we saw Andrew Cashner, he had been struggling. Not tonight as he threw seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits and one walk. He only struck out two, however.

Brian Schlitter collected his 22nd save with a perfect ninth inning. He struck out one.

The Smokies only had four hits tonight and were greatly aided by five Diamond Jaxx errors. Catcher Welington Castillo went 1 for 4 with a double.

I notice Brandon Guyer got promoted back to AA while I was "away." He was 1 for 4 tonight with a run scored and an outfield assist.

Daytona Cubs (30-37)

The Daytona Cubs are finishing this season out on a high note, winning their third in a row 4-1 over the Clearwater Threshers.

Craig Muschko improved his record to 7-3 with 5.2 shutout innings tonight. He gave up only one lone single. Muschko walked three and struck out nine.

I see right fielder Kevin Soto has joined the D-Cubs with the end of the rookie league team's season. Tonight Soto went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Soto scored twice and had one RBI.

Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 with a double. Catcher Luis Flores went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (42-25)

The Chiefs clinched a while ago, but they haven't eased up at all. Tonight they committed regicide against the Clinton LumberKings, 8-3.

Jeffry Antigua started and got the win with five shutout innings. He gave up three hits and walked three. He also struck out three as his record in the Midwest League improved to 4-0.

Center fielder Jose Valdez hasn't had a problem with the Midwest League at all. Today we was 3 for 4 with a triple and three stolen bases. That's some impressive speed stats there--although he was caught stealing once. Valdez scored twice.

Second baseman Ryan Flaherty went 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Left fielder Nelson Perez hit his 11th home run tonight with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Perez was 1 for 5.

Boise Hawks (33-42)

The Hawks were left in the dirt by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 3-2.

Starter Dae-Eun Rhee had gopheritis tonight, allowing two home runs in the two innings he pitched. He gave up all three runs on four hits. He walked one and didn't strike out a batter.

Robert Whitenack had three shutout innings of relief and Josh Lansford and Corey Martin each had two scoreless innings.

Second basema Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 28

Josh77 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:59:54 -0000

Believe it or not, the D-Cubs threw another no-hitter tonight, less than two weeks after the last one. It was another one of the seven-inning no-nos.

Generally good news from the farm tonight, although Brett Jackson went on the DL with a sore right wrist.

Iowa Cubs (69-65)

The Iowa Cubs moved into second place with a 4-2 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Jeff Samardzija dominated tonight for six shutout innings tonight. He gave up only three singles and one walk. The Shark struck out six.

Jeff Stevens threw two perfect innings of relief, striking out three.

The I-Cubs were paced tonight by a pair of solo home runs. The first as a third-inning shot by right fielder Brad Snyder, his 14th on the season. Snyder was 1 for 3 with a walk overall. The second one was an insurance run in the eighth inning by DH Matt Craig. It was his fourth home run for Iowa, seventh in the PCL and 11th overall. Craig was 2 for 4 on the night with two runs scored.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with two stolen bases. Barney had one RBI and scored once. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Iowa Cubs are two games behind the Memphis Redbirds in the standings with ten games to play. They have no games left with Memphis, however.

Tennessee Smokies (33-28)

The Smokies late-inning heroics just keep on coming. They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Mobile Bay Bears, 3-2 and move back into a tie for first place.

Starter Chris Carpenter allowed one run on five hits in his six inning start. He didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

David Cales got the win with two innings of relief. Cales gave up two hits and a walk, but didn't allow any runs. He did not strike anyone out.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin had the big blow, an RBI double that tied the score in the two-run ninth. He later scored the winning run on Doug Deeds' pinch-hit single. Colvin was 1 for 4.

Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4. Catcher Welington Castillo went 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs (27-33)

The Daytona Cubs split a double-header tonight, losing the first game, 3-2 in nine innings and winning the second game, 3-0 as the D-Cubs staff tossed their second seven-inning no-hitter in less than two weeks.

In the first game, Ryan Searle started and allowed two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. Searle walked one and struck out six.

Chris Siegfried pitched the ninth inning and took the loss, allowing a run on two hits. He struck out one.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Jake Opitz and center fielder Tony Campana were both 2 for 4.

The no-hitter was in the second game, as starter Oswaldo Martinez pitched the first four innings, walking two and striking out one. Martinez has now pitched in four games since signing out of the Mexican League: two of those games were no-hitters. He pitched two-thirds of an inning in his Cub debut on August 15.

Mike Perconte finished the no-no and got the win since Martinez didn't go five innings. Perconte walked one and fanned three.

Jake Opitz was the DH for the second game and was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (37-23)

The Peoria Chiefs were knocked on their ears by the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 8-3.

Justin Bristow started but only lasted two innings. He allowed three runs on four hits. Bristow walked four and struck out two.

Jeff Beliveau pitched much better in relief, but got the loss anyway. Beliveau allowed one run over his four innings of relief. He surrendered five hits. He didn't walk anyone and he struck out four.

Center fielder David Macias had a two-run double in a 1 for 4 game. The Chiefs did not have a hit after the second inning tonight.

Boise Hawks (30-37)

The Hawks were officially eliminated from the playoffs tonight with a 7-2 loss to the Spokane Indians.

Chris Rusin started and took the loss. He went four innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha hit his second home run in the second inning. The solo shot was his only hit in a 1 for 4 game. Shortstop George Matheus went 2 for 5 with a double.

AZL Cubs (13-15, 29-27 overall)

Beat the Brewers, 3-0.

The rookie league team's season is now over.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 24

Josh77 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:12:45 -0000

Man, summer colds suck. They're even worse when you're trying to take care of an infant. Then you're responsible for cleaning up two people's messes.

Jeremy Papelbon was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week.

Iowa Cubs (66-64)

The Iowa Cubs zipped past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-4.

Starter Mitch Atkins improved his record to 7-11 with a strong start tonight. Atkins went seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

David Patton's rehab appearance did not go well. He gave up two runs on a home run in the eighth inning and got in trouble in the ninth before Vince Perkins was summoned from the bullpen to get the final out. Patton went 1.2 innings and allowed the two runs on two hits and three walks. He struck out two. Perkins got his third save while facing two batters. He walked the first one and then struck out the final batter to end the game.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin had two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. He scored twice and knocked two in. First baseman Micah Hoffpauir also went 2 for 5 and had one double. Hoffpauir had three RBI and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies (31-27)

The Smokies remained in a tie for first place tonight as they filleted the Carolina Mudcats, 16-9.

Andrew Cashner has been struggling, really for the first time in his professional career. Tonight he couldn't go the necessary five innings to pick up the win, despite leaving with a 13-5 lead. Cashner went 4.1 innings and allowed five runs on seven hits. The really bad news was that he walked five and struck out only one. Two of the runs Cashner allowed in the five-run first inning were unearned, however

Dustin Sasser was given the win in relief. Sasser threw two shutout innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two.

The Smokies banged out 19 hits tonight, led by Tyler Colvin, who got his batting average up to .305 with a 4 for 6 game. Colvin doubled once. He had one RBI and scored once.

Catcher Welington Castillo was 3 for 6 with two doubles. He scored once and had two RBI. First baseman Russ Canzler went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. Canzler scored twice and had two RBI. Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 6 with two doubles. He had one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Blake Lalli had a four RBI night. He also scored once in a 2 for 4 night. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 3 with three walks. Adduci scored four times. He also stole a base.

Two Smokies homered tonight. Left fielder Ty Wright hit his ninth homer in the first inning with a man on. Wright went 3 for 4 with a double and two walks. He scored three times. Second baseman Tony Thomas hit #11 in the second inning with the bases empty. Thomas was 1 for 3 with two walks.

Daytona Cubs

Had the night off.

Peoria Chiefs (35-21)

The Chiefs had been bludgeoning opponents lately, but tonight they used their pitching and defense to shut out the Quad City River Bandits, 2-0.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx has made six starts for the Peoria Chiefs, and in those six starts he's gone 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA. (He also has one win as a reliever.) Tonight he had seven shutout innings and allowed only four hits and one walk. Bibens-Dirkx struck out six. ABD is 24 and washed out of the Mariners organization, so we need to temper our enthusiasm a little. Still, if he keeps this up, signing him out of the independent leagues is going to be a major coup for our scouting team.

Chris Huseby got the save number 18. Huseby pitched 1.1 innings and allowed only one hit. Huseby struck out two.

Third baseman David Macias was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 3 with a double.

Boise Hawks (30-33)

The Hawks lost to the Spokane Indians 14-5.

Starter Robert Hernandez allowed three runs on four hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out six. The rest of the pitching staff were worse.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. Watkins scored once. Third baseman Greg Rohan had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He scored once and had two RBI.

Left fielder Robert Wagner hit his third home run tonight. Wagner was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

AZL Cubs (11-13)

Did not play. Their season ends Friday night.

Cubs Minor League Wrap - - August 21

Josh77 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:20:47 -0000

Iowa Cubs (64-63)

The Iowa Cubs were zapped by the New Orleans Zephyrs, 3-0.

James Russell started and got no support on offense. He took the loss despite allowing only one run on three hits over five innings. He did have some problems throwing strikes, however, since he walked five. Russell struck out three.

The I-Cubs only managed three hits tonight.

Tennessee Smokies (29-27)

The Smokies slipped by the Carolina Mudcats, 5-4.

Chris Carpenter went five innings tonight, allowing three runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Alex Maestri got the win in relief after blowing the save. Maestri allowed one run on two walks and a hit batter over the two innings he pitched. He didn't allow any hits and struck out one.

Brian Schlitter pitched the final two innings to get the save. He allowed two hits but no runs. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Second baseman Tony Thomas went 3 for 4 with a double. He had two RBI and scored once. Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Castro had one RBI.

Third baseman Jonathan Mota was 2 for 5 with a double. Catcher Welington Castillo had an RBI and scored once in a 2 for 4 game.

Daytona Cubs (23-31)

The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees, 5-2.

Ryan Searle started and picked up his seventh win of the year tonight. Searle allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. Searle struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Chris Siegfried faced the final two batters and retired them both to record his first save of the year. Siegfried struck out one.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his second home run for Daytona. It was a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Vitters went 1 for 4. Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs (34-20)

The Chiefs aren't just winning anymore, they're humiliating opponents. Tonight they shut out the Clinton LumberKings, 8-0.

Aaron Shafer started and got the win. He pitched six innings and allowed only three hits. Shafer walked two and struck out five.

Shortstop DJ LeMahieu was 3 for 4 with four RBI and one run scored. First baseman Rebel Ridling went 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Second baseman Junior Lake tripled and scored in a 2 for 3 game. He also had one RBI. Catcher Mario Mercedes was 2 for 3 with two RBI.

The Chiefs have won nine of their last ten games. Over that ten game span, the Chiefs have outscored their opponents 83-17.

Boise Hawks (29-32)

The Hawks beat the Yakima Bears, 10-3.

Starter Jonathan Nagel allowed two unearned runs over three innings. He allowed three hits and a walk. Nagel fanned three. Josh Whitlock got the win with three innings of relief. He allowed one run on two hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 5 with a triple and a walk. Watkins scored twice. On defense, he had two unassisted double plays. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 3 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He had two RBI and scored once.

Catcher Matt Williams, DH Richard Jones and third baseman George Matheus each had two singles.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 2-1.