SB Nation - Nate Spears

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 8

Josh77 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:19:08 -0000

If you're the type who doesn't click on the "keep reading" button, the Chiefs had a big offensive night.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs used a five-run sixth inning to shoot down the Reno Aces, 10-7.

You know you're living right when you give up seven runs as a starting pitcher and don't get the loss. Tonight that's what Mitch Atkins did, giving up the seven runs in 5.1 innings. One of the runs was unearned. Of the seven hits that Atkins gave up, three of them were home runs. Atkins walked two and struck out three.

Casey Lambert only faced two batters, but he retired him both and that was good enough for his first win in AAA.

Blake Parker pitched a perfect ninth inning to collect his twelfth save. He struck out one.

Right fielder Brad Snyder was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored three times. First baseman Matt Craig was also 3 for 4. He scored twice and had one RBI. Second baseman Nate Spears went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were humiliated by the Birmingham Barons, 15-0.

I'm just going to ignore this game other than to say that Andrew Cashner had a really, really bad start.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 3-1.

Starter Craig Muschko took the loss. Muschko allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out four. He really only made one mistake, a third inning two-run home run.

The D-Cubs only managed five singles on offense tonight.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs pounded out 19 hits while skewering the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 14-5.

Starter Alberto Cabrera got the victory with five shutout innings. He gave up only three hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Eight Chiefs had at least two hits tonight.

For the second night in a row, right fielder Kyler Burke went 4 for 5. Burke had two doubles tonight. He scored twice and had three RBI.

First baseman Rebel Riding was 3 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 6 with a stolen base and two runs scored. Third baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

Second baseman DJ LeMahieu went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had an RBI. DH Jovan Rosa was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. He scored once and knocked one in. Catcher Mario Mercedes went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He also scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Nelson Perez had the only Chief home run tonight, a three-run jack in the fourth inning. Perez was 2 for 3. It was his ninth homer of the year.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks hung on to trap the Yakima Bears, 5-4.

Josh Whitlock started and threw three shutout innings. He allowed two hits. He neither walked nor struck anyone out. Eduardo Figueroa got the win in relief. He gave up one run over three innings.

Center fielder Jose Valez had a big night, going 4 for 4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Valdez only scored once though. Second baseman Logan Watkins was 3 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

DH Derrick Fitzgerald had a double and a triple in a 2 for 4 game. He scored once.

AZL Cubs

Crushed the Giants, 13-3.

Billy Muldowney threw two more shutout innings in his rehab appearance.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 6

Josh77 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:43:16 -0000

Casey Lambert got promoted to Iowa to replace the released Jason Waddell.

I'd plug the I-Cubs "Road to Wrigley" game this Sunday, but something tells me that Len and Bob have done that enough and that you're all aware of it by now.

Iowa Cubs

They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and had the bases loaded with two outs, but in the end the Iowa Cubs folded against the Reno Aces, 6-5.

Starter James Russell took the loss tonight as he gave up three runs on six hits over four innings. Russell didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Third baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 4. Bobby Scales entered the game in the seventh inning during a double switch and went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were subjugated by the Birmingham Barons, 2-0.

Starter Chris Carpenter was perfect through four innings tonight. But he walked the first batter in the fifth, who then scored after a stolen base and a single by the next batter. Carpenter was then removed from the game, taking the loss despite allowing only the one run on one hit over the four plus innings. Carpenter struck out five.

Dustin Sasser allowed one run over three innings of relief in his AA debut.

The Smokies only managed three hits tonight.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were beached by the Brevard County Manatees, 6-3.

Starter Ryan Searle took the loss, allowing three runs over three innings. Only one of the runs was earned, however. Searle gave up three hits, walked two and struck out one.

Second baseman Nate Samson was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez had a rough night. He made three throwing errors during the game.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs ran over the Beloit Snappers, 7-2.

The Cubs may actually have something in Austin Biebens-Dirkx. Tonight ABD improved his record to 4-1 with seven strong innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, and one of the runs was unearned. He walked one and struck out eight. Biebens-Dirkx lowered his ERA to 2.18, which I believe justifies promoting him to the majors immediately so that Al has to type his name from now on.

The Chiefs hit three home runs tonight. DH Ryan Flaherty jacked his 15th of the season. It was a ninth inning solo homer. Flaherty was 1 for 4. Shorstop Junior Lake hit his sixth home run in the fourth inning with two men on. Lake was 2 for 4. Finally, third baseman Jovan Rosa hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Rosa was 1 for 5.

First baseman Rebel Ridling had two doubles in a 3 for 5 effort. Ridling had one RBI. Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 4 with a run scored. and a stolen base. Left fielder David Macias went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks got run through the ringer by the Everett Aqua Sox, 4-0.

Starter Christopher Rusin took the real hard-luck loss tonight. He allowed only one unearned run over five innings. He gave up just two singles, didn't walk anyone and struck out six. He did hit one batter, however.

The Hawks only had three hits tonight as well.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Mariners, 5-4.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--August 5

Josh77 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:25:39 -0000

I think Geovany Soto is fine.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs trumped the Reno Aces, 3-2.

Starter Esmailin Caridad went six innings tonight, allowing only two runs on three hits, including a solo home run. Caridad walked two and struck out an eye-popping twelve Aces. I don't know for sure, but I'm betting that's a career high for Caridad. I've been doing these wraps since before Caridad entered the Cub system, and I can't remember him ever having that many strikeouts.

Blake Parker was perfect in two innings of relief for his second win of the year when So Taguchi singled home Nate Spears to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. Parker struck out one.

Second baseman Matt Camp was 2 for 5

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies skinned the Carolina Mudcats, 8-6.

Casey Coleman improved his record to 11-5 tonight with three runs on five hits over 5.1 innings. Coleman gave up two home runs. He walked one and struck out three.

Alex Maestri entered the game with two one and one out in the ninth and nailed down his third save. He struck out the first batter, hit the second one and got the third one to ground out to the third baseman.

Catcher Geovany Soto homered again tonight in his rehab appearance. For the first time, he caught the entire game tonight and went 1 for 4 with a walk and two RBI.

Left fielder Ty Wright also homered for the eighth time tonight. Wright was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 5 with a run scored. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 5 with a run scored and a stolen base. First baseman Blake Lalli went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs topped their arch-rival Brevard County Manatees, 6-3.

Starter Jay Jackson got the win with six solid innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits. Jackson walked one and struck out four.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. Center fielder Tony Campana was 3 for 4 with, of course, a stolen base.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were demoted by the Beloit Snappers, 7-1.

Starter Aaron Shafer only went three innings tonight, giving up seven runs on six hits He walked three and struck out five.

The Chiefs didn't get their first hit until the sixth inning tonight when catcher Mario Mercedes broke up the no-hitter.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were beaten by the Everett Aqua Sox, 7-5.

Let's see. . .Daniel Keefe threw a nice 1.1 innings of relief after the game was already 7-5. Keefe allowed two hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. Center fielder Jose Valdez had two stolen bases in a 1 for 4 night. Valdez also scored once. Third baseman George Matheus went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

First baseman Justin Bour hit his second home run for Boise tonight. Bour went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Mariners, 4-3.

Just noticed that Larry Suarez got demoted to rookie ball while I was moving last week. He pitched again tonight and allowed two runs on four hits over three innings. Not good for your third year in the Arizona League.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--August 1

Josh77 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:08:00 -0000

Apparently there's some "bromance" on the Boise Hawks.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs zapped the New Orleans Zephyrs, 14-0.

The I-Cub pitching staff threw a combined one-hitter tonight. Starter James Russell gave up the lone hit in his four innings. Russell walked one and struck out two.

Justin Berg got the win in relief because Russell didn't go five. Berg walked one and hit one in his two innings. He struck out one Zephyr.

B.J. Ryan, John Gaub and Blake Parker finished out the game with an inning a piece. Ryan and Gaub both struck out two in perfect innings. Parker walked one and didn't strike out anybody.

Catcher Chris Robinson led the 19 hit I-Cub attack today by going 4 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and knocked two in. Center fielder Matt Camp was 3 for 5 with a stolen base and three runs scored. Third baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 4 with two walks. Spears scored once and had two RBI.

John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and batted one in. Shortstop Darwin Barney had two doubles in a 2 for 6 game. Barney had one RBI.

Bobby Scales had the lone I-Cub home run tonight, his fifth of the year in AAA. Scales was 1 for 5 with a walk and three RBI. He scored twice.

Even second baseman Aaron Miles got into the act. Miles was 2 for 6 and scored twice.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies won their sixth in a row tonight as they deep-fried the Carolina Mudcats, 4-1.

There was a good rehab appearance tonight by David Patton, who allowed one unearned run in a three-inning start. Patton gave up two hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out four.

Marco Carillo got the win with three innings of shutout relief. Carillo gave up one hit, didn't walk anyone and struck out one. Brian Schlitter got his 15th save by pitching the ninth inning. He allowed one hit, but erased the runner with a double play. Schlitter didn't walk or strike out anyone.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin is on fire right now, following up yesterday's 5 for 5 with a 3 for 3 game, including a double and his eighth home run of the season. He also reached once on catcher's interference. Colvin scored twice and had two RBI.

Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 3 for 5 with a double, although he also committed two errors. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base. He also scored once.

Catcher Welington Castillo had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He had one RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were shut out by the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 8-0.

Starter Rafael Dolis didn't make it out of the third inning tonight. He allowed three runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Dolis walked two and struck out four.

The D-Cubs only had two hits tonight.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs clipped the South Bend Silver Hawks 3-2.

Austin Biebens-Dierkx started tonight and picked up the win with eight solid innings. He allowed two runs on four hits. He only walked one and struck out five.

Chris Huseby got his fourteenth save with a hitless ninth, although he did walk two batters, albeit one intentionally.

Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was 3 for 4. DH DJ LeMahieu went 2 for 3 with a walk. Brett Jackson's 28 game on-base streak came to an end.

Some kid I've never heard of named Michael Brenly hit his fourth home run of the season tonight, a solo homer in the third inning. Brenly was 2 for 3 with a walk and scored twice

Boise Hawks

The shutouts continued tonight as the Hawks blanked the Vancouver Canadians, 9-0 behind a seven-run third inning.

Christopher Rusin, Yohan Gonzalez and Dionis Nunez each threw three innings of the shutout.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha went 3 for 5 with a double. Ha scored twice and had two RBI. First baseman Justin Bour went 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Rangers 7-6.

Geovany Soto was the DH tonight and he went 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 24

Josh77 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:47:44 -0000

Some wild games tonight. Of course, almost every game in Albuquerque is wild. The Cubs just need a team in the Cal League so they can play in Lancaster and High Desert too.

Iowa Cubs

It's back to "Coors Field on Steroids" for the I-Cubs tonight as they got pounded by the Albuquerque Isotopes, 16-8.

Mitch Atkins drew the short straw tonight and got the start. He lasted only three innings and allowed five runs on eight hits. Atkins walked three and struck out two.

It got so bad that second baseman Nate Spears pitched the ninth. Spears gave up two solo home runs.

The I-Cubs only had two home runs tonight, both two-run homers in the sixth inning. The first one belonged to Sam Fuld, who was 1 for 6 with his second home run, both of the year and of the last three games. The second one was hit by left fielder Jason Dubois, his 11th of the season. Dubois went 3 for 5 and scored twice.

Bobby Scales was 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had two RBI. Both right fielder So Taguchi and catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He also scored once.

Tennesee Smokies

The Smokies were destroyed by the Mississippi Braves, 10-0.

Jay Jackson had a rough start tonight, not making it out of the third inning. Jackson allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on five hits in 2.2 innings. Jackson walked four (one was intentional), hit one and struck out two.

Left fielder Ty Wright was 3 for 4 with a double.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona is a good hitters park, but it's certainly not "Coors Field South" or anything. Still, tonight the Daytona Cubs hammered the Palm Beach Cardinals, 16-10 on fifteen singles, four walks and only one double.

James Leverton started and allowed three runs on five hits over five innings. One of the runs was unearned. Leverton walked two and struck out four.

Luke Sommer got the win with two innings of scoreless relief. Sommer didn't allow a hit or a walk and struck out three.

The Daytona assault was led by second baseman Josh Harrison who was 4 for 5 with a walk. Harrison had four RBI and scored three times.

Center fielder Brandon Guyer had the one extra base hit. Guyer went 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI and scored once. Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 5 with three RBI.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Jonathan Wyatt went 2 for 3 with walk. Wyatt scored three times and had one RBI.

Maybe Palm Beach is finally figuring out how to slow down the D-Cubs. Two nights after stealing eight bases and the night after stealing six bases, the Daytona Cubs "only" stole five bases tonight. Wyatt, Guyer and Harrison each had one and Tony Campana had two. Camapana now has 51 steals this season. His 40 steals in the Florida State League are three steals behind the league lead, and that player has played the whole season in the FSL.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs cracked the Lansing Lugnuts, 7-6 on a Jose Made "walk-off bases-loaded walk" in he bottom of the ninth.

Chris Archer started and allowed two runs on four hits in 4.2 innings. Archer had some control problems as he walked four and had a wild pitch. He struck out two.

Chris Huseby threw a perfect top of the ninth to get the win. Huseby struck out one.

Shortstop Ryan Flaherty hit his 12th home run in the third inning tonight. Flaherty was 2 for 3 with two walks. Flaherty scored four times and had the one RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling also homered, a first inning two-run shot that was his tenth of the year. Ridling was 3 for 5 with four RBI total.

Right fielder Kyler Burke had a triple and a walk in a 2 for 4 night.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were crushed by the Eugene Emeralds, 5-1.

"But coach, I've got a no-hitter going!" Starter Tarlandus Mitchell didn't make it out of the first inning tonight. He didn't allow a hit, but he walked five and hit one batter. That led to him being charged with allowing five runs. Mitchell also had a wild pitch. He did strike out one batter.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee led off the game with a double, stole third and scored the only Hawk run of the game on a Brett Jackson single. Lee was 2 for 4 total.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Brewers, 4-1.

Second-round pick DJ LeMaheiu made his professional debut. He was 2 for 4 with a triple.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 23

Josh77 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:26:05 -0000

Last night we had terrible starting pitching throughout the system. Tonight we had great starting pitching everywhere. Go figure.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs topped the Omaha Royals, 5-1.

Starter Casey Fossum gave up a home run to the second batter of the game and then shut the Royals down the rest of the way. Fossum went seven innings and allowed only five hits and one walk. (He did hit one batter too.) Fossum struck out five for his second win for the I-Cubs.

Bobby Scales was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Scales scored once and had two RBI. Third baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 3 with a triple. He scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Aaron Miles went 2 for 4 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were beaten by the Mississippi Braves, 2-1.

Hung-Wen Chen was the hard-luck loser tonight. Chen threw 6.2 innings and allowed two runs on eight hits. One of the runs allowed was unearned. Chen walked two and struck out four.

First baseman Blake Lalli had a double and an RBI single in a 3 for 4 game. Left fielder Ty Wright went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs shut down the Palm Beach Cardinals, 7-0.

Tonight's good pitching continued with Craig Muschko, who allowed only one hit in his five innings of work. Muschko didn't walk a batter and struck out five to improve his record to 5-1.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and knocked one in.

I don't know what's going on with the PB Cardinals catching or pitching staffs, but the day after the Cubs stole eight bases, they stole another six bases tonight. The Cardinals used different catchers on the two nights, so it's not just one weak arm.

Center fielder Tony Campana was only 1 for 5, but he stole three bases and scored twice. Campana now has 38 stolen bases for Daytona, as well as 11 earlier in the season for Peoria. He was caught stealing once after getting picked off once. Left fielder Josh Harrison was 2 for 4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Harrison scored once.

Brandon Guyer had the other steal tonight. The right fielder was 1 for 3 with a double and a walk. He also scored twice.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs shut out the Lansing Lugnuts, 5-0.

Starter Justin Bristow turned in another great start for the Cubs tonight as he went six innings and gave up only four hits. Even more impressively, he struck out eight and didn't walk anyone.

Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 3 with a three-run home run. Rosa drove in all five runs tonight.

Center fielder Kyler Burke was 3 for 4 with a stolen base. Burke scored twice. First baseman Rebel Ridling went 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks polished off the Eugene Emeralds, 6-2.

He only pitched 2.1 innings, but since this is great starting pitching night, starter Jonathan Nagel didn't allow a hit and only walked one while striking out four. He did allow an unearned run though.

Andres Quezada picked up the win with 2.2 shutout innings of relief.

Second baseman Logan Wakins had two doubles in a 2 for 5 night. He also had two RBI. Center fielder Jose Valdez was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Third baseman Greg Rohan was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 2-1.

Cubs Minor League Wrap - July 20

Josh77 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:06:11 -0000

Logan Watkins was named Northwest League Player of the Week.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were smote by the Omaha Royals, 7-2.

J.R. Mathes got knocked around for five runs on eight hits. His start only lasted three innings. He didn't strike out anyone and walked one. He also hit a batter in a rough night all around.

DH Jason Dubois provided all the Cubs offense with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Dubois was 1 for 2 with two walks. Second baseman Nate Spears entered the game in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter and still went 3 for 3 with a double. Spears is hitting .390 for the month of July. Of course, his OBP for the month is only .395, which is really weird because drawing walks has always been a part of Spears' game.

Tennessee Smokies

Had the day off.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs beat the St. Lucie Mets, 5-2 in 11 innings.

Ryan Searle has gotten his season back on track in July after a bad May and a terrible June. Tonight he went six innings and only allowed one unearned run. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out three.

Reliever David Cales improved his record to 3-0 with 1.1 innings of relief without allowing a hit or a walk. (One batter did reach on an error and went to third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th.) Cales struck out two.

The D-Cubs banged out 13 hits tonight, led by third baseman Marwin Gonzalez who was 3 for 5 with the go-ahead RBI triple in the top of the 11th. Gonzalez only had the one RBI and he also crossed the plate once.

Shortstop Starlin Castro, third baseman Josh Vitters and center fielder Brandon Guyer were all 2 for 5. Vitters added a triple, a stolen base and run scored. Guyer stole two bases, walked once and had one RBI and one run scored.

Left fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were cut down by the Clinton Lumber Kings, 6-0.

Aaron Shafer started and took the loss tonight. although he didn't pitch poorly at all. Shafer allowed three runs on five hits over six innings, and one of the runs was unearned. Shafer walked two and struck out five.

Center fielder David Macias was 1 for 2 with two walks.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 4-3.

Dionis Nunez picked up his second save tonight 2.1 perfect innings of relief. Nunez struck out three.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee continues to tear up the NWL with a 2 for 4 night. Lee scored twice and stole his 13th base of the season.

Center fielder Brett Jackson went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. Third baseman Greg Rohan had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He scored once.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 16

Josh77 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:34:38 -0000

I'll try to do this as a story rather than as a front page fanpost like I did last night. Maybe I should do these a little earlier in the evening.

Full schedule again tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs scored six in the seventh and five in the eighth to triumph over the cacophony of the Nashville Sounds, 11-4.

Esmailin Caridad started and allowed four runs on nine hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Justin Berg got his fourth win with an inning of scoreless relief. A runner reached on an error, but Berg promptly got the next batter to hit into a double play to end the inning.

First baseman Matt Craig hit home run number four, a three-run homer, in that six-run seventh. Craig went 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Second baseman Nate Spears didn't enter the game until the sixth inning, but he was 2 for 3 with a double and four RBI. Right fielder So Taguchi was 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Aaron Miles was 0 for 3 in his rehab start.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies blotted out the Jacksonville Suns, 9-2.

Jeremy Papelbon had a great start tonight, allowing only one run on three hits over five innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five. But Alex Maestri got the win with a perfect inning of relief, striking out one.

Catcher Welington Castillo has had a miserable season, but tonight he banged out three hits, including two doubles, in five at bats. He scored once and had three RBI.

Third baseman Marquez Smith went 2 for 3 with two walks. He had three RBI and scored once. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. He also stole a base.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs fell to the Tampa Yankees, 5-3.

Starter Dan McDaniel saw his record fall to 5-7 by allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings. McDaniel also walked three and struck out one. One of the four runs was unearned, but it was his error, so he can't complain.

Center fielder Tony Campana and Robinson Chirinos were both 2 for 3. Chirinos also drew a walk and Campana earned himself an umpire ejection in the fifth inning.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were flooded by the West Michigan Whitecaps, 11-7.

Marcus Hatley's evening only lasted two innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits, including two home runs. He failed to strike anyone out and walked one.

Chris Siegfried took the loss in relief. He gave up four runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Siegfried walked three and struck out two.

First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with his ninth home run of the year. Ridling scored once and had two RBI. He also walked once.

Right fielder Kyler Burke hit his seventh homer in the third inning. Burke was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and the one RBI.

Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored, but Bob will probably be bragging about him stealing home tonight. It was the back end of a double-steal with shortstop Junior Lake taking second base. Lake was 2 for 4 with a run.

Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks' offense exploded tonight in a 14-5 drubbing of the Yakima Bears.

Starter Josh Whitlock got his first start of the season tonight and he made it a great one. Whitlock only allowed one hit in four shutout innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four. He didn't get the win because he didn't go five, so the win went to Eduardo Figueroa, who allowed two runs over two innings. Does that rule make sense to anyone?

When June ended, Logan Watkins was hitting .231. After he went 5 for 6 tonight with a double, his average has risen to .344. Watkins scored three times and had one RBI. Watkins is 16 for 23 over the past five games. I think that's what they mean by "in a zone."

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. Lee had four RBI and scored twice. Second baseman George Matheus was 3 for 5 and scored twice.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was only 1 for 2, but he walked four times. It wasn't the opposing pitchers either, since the rest of the Hawks only had one walk.

First baseman Justin Bour homered for the first time for Boise. He was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Catcher Richard Jones had a double and four RBI in a 2 for 6 game. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Padres, 5-4.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 12

Josh77 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:44:15 -0000

You're officially forgiven if you didn't watch today's Futures Game, which was long-delayed and shortened by rain. But Starlin Castro had an infield single and scored the tying run from second base on an infield hit and error. Josh Vitters was 0 for 1 with a walk.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs were battered by the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 7-3.

Starter Casey Fossum gave up all seven runs and didn't make it out of the third inning. Fossum lasted only 2.1 innings and got rocked for ten hits, including one home run. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

First baseman Matt Craig and third baseman Bobby Scales had identical lines of 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Second baseman Nate Spears continued his hot July by going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

Started their All-Star Break today. Six Smokies are going to the festivities: Pitchers Jay Jackson, Casey Coleman and Brian Schlitter. First baseman Blake Lalli will be starting and outfielder James Adduci and second baseman Tony Thomas are reserves. Shortstop Darwin Barney was named to the team but was recently promoted to Iowa.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Clearwater Threshers, 12-3.

Chris Carpenter dominated for his first FSL win. He allowed only one run on two hits over six innings. The one run scored on a home run. Carpenter didn't walk anyone and struck out eight.

Second baseman Josh Harrison hit his first FSL home run tonight in a 3 for 4 game. Harrison also doubled. He had two RBI and scored twice.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 5 with two stolen bases. He also walked once. Gonzalez scored twice. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt went 3 for 4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

Center fielder Tony Campana was 1 for 4 with a walk and three stolen bases. Campana scored three times and batted one in.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs lost to the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, 8-4.

Starter Chris Archer got the loss. He allowed three runs on five hits over four plus innings. Archer walked two and struck out seven.

Shortstop Junior Lake had a double in a 2 for 4 game. Lake scored once and had one RBI. Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 3 with a walk and two stolen bases--only one fewer steal than he had all last season for Peoria. Rosa scored once.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks hung on to beat the Vancouver Canadians, 8-7,

Starter Robert Hernandez was solid tonight in picking up the win. He allowed only one run on two hits over five innings. Hernandez didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Center fielder Brett Jackson hit his first professional home run tonight with a two-run blast in the first inning. Jackson was 1 for 4 and was walked intentionally once.

Burundi Davis was 3 for 4 with two RBI. Logan Watkins had four RBI tonight. He went 3 for 4 with a double. He also scored once.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Brewers 6-2.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 11

Josh77 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:55:47 -0000

Here I am after driving all day, giving you the Minors recap. That's just how ~~foolish~~ dedicated I am.

I am going to be a bit abbreviated tonight.

Don't forget to catch Josh Vitters and Starlin Castro at the Futures Game tomorrow at 1 pm Central on ESPN2.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs beat the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 8-5.

Jose Ascanio got his second win of the year in Iowa despite allowing four runs over five innings. He gave up five hits and walked two while striking out four.

Blake Parker got his tenth save tonight by tossing 1.1 innings without allowing a run or a hit. He did walk two and got three of the four outs by strikeout.

DH Jason Dubois was 3 for 4 with 4 RBI. He also walked once. Right fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Griffin scored three times. Bobby Scales played left field tonight and went 2 for 3 with two walks. He also scored once.

Third baseman Nate Spears has been red-hot in July after a horrible first half of the season. Spears was 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI. He also scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies ate the Montgomery Biscuits, 8-2.

Hung-Wen Chen was great tonight, allowing only two runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out five and didn't walk anyone.

Third baseman Jonathan Mota went 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Center fielder James Adduci scored twice in a 2 for 3 with a triple and a walk outing. Left fielder Ty Wright was also 2 for 3 with a walk and scored twice. Wright had one RBI as well.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona lost to the Clearwater Threshers, 5-3.

Starter Rafael Dolis took the loss, giving up three runs in only three innings. Only one of the three runs was earned though. Dolis allowed only one hit. He walked two and struck out two.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos was 3 for 4 with two doubles. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 3.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs cooked the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, 5-3.

Ryan Buchter got the win tonight with two shutout innings of relief. Buchter allowed one hit, one walk and one hit batsman. He struck out two.

Manolin De Leon got his second save by pitching the final three innings of the game without allowing a run. He gave up one hit, didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Catcher Michael Brenly hit his third home run of the season tonight, a solo shot in the 4th innings, one assumes with the dad in the audience. Brenly was 2 for 3 with three RBI, all of which came with two outs. I don't know if Bob is happier that he got to see the performance or bummed that he won't be able to brag about it on TV tomorrow.

Boise Hawks

Lost to the Vancouver Canadians, 9-0.

Say, did you know that Wilco is doing a tour of East Coast minor league stadiums?

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 12-6.