SB Nation - Jonathan Mota

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 10

Josh77 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:56:03 -0000

Sad night tonight as a couple of bullpen meltdowns led to disaster for our minor league teams.

Peoria Chiefs

I'm going to lead with the Chiefs tonight because their season ended with a 9-8 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Things looked pretty good early as the Chiefs got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on four consecutive two out hits. First baseman Rebel Ridling singled, then right fielder Kyler Burke doubled, putting runners on second and third. Shortstop DJ LeMaheiu singled home both of them, and scored on DH Jovan Rosa's double. The Chiefs added another run in the second inning on doubles by third baseman Junior Lake and catcher Michael Brenly.

Staked to a 4-0 lead, starter Jeffry Antigua gave most of it back, allowing three runs on nine hits over his five innings. Antigua didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

The Chiefs got another run in the fifth inning on another Rosa double, and then exploded in the seventh inning for three runs to make it 8-3. The big blow in the seventh inning was a two-run single by Rosa.

Rosa was 4 for 5 with two doubles and four RBI this evening.

But with an 8-3 lead, the Chiefs bullpen melted down. Aaron Shafer allowed four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 8-7. Shafer pitched 1.2 innings and allowed four runs and four hits. He struck out one.

Closer Chris Huseby picked a bad time to develop Steve Blass (or maybe Rich Hill?) disease. Entering the game with the Chiefs leading 8-7 in the ninth, he completely melted down. Huseby walked the first two batters he faced. He then settled down and retired the next two batters on a foul out and a strikeout. But with the game on the line and two on and two out, Huseby threw a wild pitch. He then walked the next two batters to tie the game. Finally, the Chiefs season ended when Huseby hit the final Kernels batter with the game tied and the bases loaded.

Beyond Rosa's big game, Ridling was 3 for 5 and scored three times, although he did hit into an inning-killing DP in the second. Burke was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored the one time. LeMaheiu went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI. Finally, Michael Brenly went 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Chiefs had a great season, but it came to a quick end. We wish them well next April and hope the players have the same success next season in Daytona and Tennessee.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies' bullpen also blew a late lead and they lost 4-2 to the Huntsville Stars. They now trail the best-of-five series zero games to one.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon gave the Smokies a good four innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He walked only one and struck out four.

The Smokies took the lead in the fifth inning. Right fielder Tyler Colvin led off the inning with a home run, and later on second baseman Jonathan Mota singled home shortstop Starlin Castro to give the Smokies a 2-1 lead.

David Cales pitched two shutout innings in relief of Papelbon. He was touched for only one hit. Cales walked one and struck out two.

Marcos Mateo pitched the seventh and eighth innings. Unfortunately, with two out in the eighth inning, Mateo allowed a three-run home run that ended up as the game-winner. Mateo pitched two innings and allowed three runs on two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Unlike the Chiefs, however, the Smokies season continues tomorrow with Game Two of the best-of-five series.

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.

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 22

Josh77 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:06:27 -0000

I don't normally comment on the Major League Cubs figuring it's Al's job, but since he's traveling, I thought I'd start out with a short comment that I'm pretty confident Al would agree with.

The Cubs have not been a good team so far this season. Most of the year, they've simply been treading water. They've had moments where they've looked like the world-beaters of the past two seasons, but mostly they've been pedestrian. Not bad, mind you. Cub fans know a bad team when they see it. They just don't look like a playoff team.

But here we are past the All-Star Break, and the Cubs are only a game out of first and a game up on the first-place Cardinals in the loss column. Speaking of the Cardinals, for the first half of this decade, they were a pretty dominating team, making the playoffs every season from 2000 to 2005 except for a minor blip in 2003 which we all remember. But during that time, they never won the World Series, despite some pretty amazing teams led by either Mark McGwire or Albert Pujols.

Yet when 2006 rolled around, the Cardinals were clearly down. Albert Pujols by himself gave the team an offense that was a bit above average, but there were major holes in the lineup. The pitching staff was decidedly mediocre. But the rest of the division was down, too, and the Cards just sneaked past the Astros the final weekend of the season to crawl into the playoffs. We all know that Cardinal team, which was easily the worst Cardinals playoff team of the decade, won the World Series.

Once you make the playoffs, anything can happen, as we found out the bad way over the past two seasons. I'm not saying that this team is going to win it all. I'm just saying that if you think a team that is only a game back in July and a game up in the loss column can't win it all, you're dead wrong.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs lost to the Omaha Royals, 9-6.

Jose Ascanio had a terrible start tonight, not making it out of the second inning. Ascanio gave up six runs, five of which were earned, in only 1.2 innings. He was tagged for six hits and failed to strike anyone out. He walked one batter and hit one too. He also had a wild pitch. This awful outing did only raise Ascanio's ERA to 2.91 though.

John Gaub threw an inning of scoreless relief and Blake Parker had two shutout innings out of the pen. I mention them because they're both having good seasons that have been mostly under the radar here.

Center fielder Sam Fuld returned to Iowa and hit his first home run of the season. Fuld was 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBI from the home run.

First baseman Matt Craig and DH Jason Dubois had identical lines of 2 for 4 with a double an a run scored. Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Shortstop Aaron Miles was 1 for 5.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were kicked off the reservation by the Mississippi Braves, 8-5.

David Patton made a rehab start and it didn't go very well either. Patton pitched two innings and gave up three runs on a three-run home run in the second inning. Patton allowed two hits and walked one. He also struck out one.

First baseman Blake Lalli ws 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 3 with an RBI sac fly.

Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Catcher Welington Castillo was 1 for 3 with a solo home run, his eighth of the season.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs lost to the Palm Beach Cardinals, 5-3 in 13 innings.

Rafael Dolis started and allowed three runs on four hits over four innings. Dolis walked three and struck out two.

Joe Simokaitis had an ERA of 8.68 in 9.1 innings of relief in Boise. So naturally the correct move is to promote him all the way to Daytona. He responded to the promotion with two shutout innings of relief. He allowed two hits and he hit a batter. He didn't strike anyone out.

Luke Sommer pitched the 13th inning and took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits.

Left fielder Josh Harrison went 2 for 6 with four stolen bases. Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 7 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Shortstop Starlin Castro had the final two of the Cubs eight steals tonight. Castro was 2 for 5 with a double and two walks.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were pounded by the Lansing Lugnuts, 6-2.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx got his first start tonight, but it didn't go well as he picked up his first loss. ABD gave up five runs on six hits, inculding two home runs, over five plus innings. One of the runs was unearned. The positive sign was that he struck out four and didn't walk anyone.

Right fielder Andrew Rundle hit his second home run, a two-run shot in the sixth inning. Rundle was 1 for 3.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were outslugged by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 10-8.

Robert Hernandez started tonight and continued tonight's theme of bad starts with three runs over 5.1 innings. Actually, tonight that's not so bad. He gave up four hits and issued three walks. Hernandez struck out five. One of Hernandez's runs was unearned.

Corey Martin allowed five runs, three of which were earned, in only one inning to take the loss.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored three times and had one RBI.

First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with a walk and a double. He had two RBI. Left fielder Jose Valdez was 2 for 3.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 1 for 3 with a run scored and two more walks. He struck out once.

AZL Cubs

Were the only winner tonight, shutting out the Athletics, 7-0.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 21

Josh77 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:08:44 -0000

There was a fanshot on this, but Kevin Goldstein over at Baseball Prospectus wrote an article on the sorry state of the Cubs farm system (sub. req.) which he sees as keeping the Cubs out of the Halladay sweepstakes. He criticizes the Cubs for some bad drafts and a failure to develop any plate discipline in the minor leagues. He also criticizes the Jeff Samardzija signing, believing the money could have been better spent elsewhere. One thing he doesn't mention, but he could have, is that the Cubs compounded their bad drafts with some bad free agent signings that cost the team draft picks that would have given them more margin for error. But if you want the good news, he does see a light at the end of the tunnel for the Cubs farm system and that they've made some great international signings, especially in Asia. I'd also add the past couple of drafts have been much better, as Josh Vitters and Andrew Cashner are both doing quite well in the minors.

So the system is down but not out.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs deposed the Omaha Royals, 4-3.

Esmailin Caridad started and got his fifth win today by allowing only two unearned runs in six innings. He gave up five hits and issued two walks while striking out seven.

Vince Perkins 24.1 inning scoreless streak came to an end today, but he was still good enough to pick up his first save. Perkins allowed one run on three hits over two innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out one.

Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4. Right fielder (really utility guy) Matt Camp was 2 for 3 with a walk. Camp scored once and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies counted coup against the Mississippi Braves, 3-2 in ten innings.

Andrew Cashner threw six brilliant innings tonight, allowing only one single; the only baserunner he allowed. Cashner struck out five. He was also 1 for 1 at the plate, meaning he had as many hits as he allowed.

Alex Maestri pitched the top of the tenth inning and got the win when James Adduci scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the inning. Maestri walked one but his inning was otherwise without incident.

Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 2 for 5 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Tyler Colvin went 2 for 5.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were pounded by the St. Lucie Mets, 8-2.

Starter Henry Williamson went three innings and gave up a run on two hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Dan McDaniel pitched out of the bullpen tonight and took the loss. He gave up two runs, one of which was unearned, on three hits over two innings. McDaniel walked two and struck out three.

Mike Perconte allowed three runs and Jose Piña gave up two.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 3 for 4 with a stolen base. Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Left fielder Josh Harrison was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Harrison scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

Good looking young men with a day off in Peoria. Need I say more?

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were beaten by the Salem-Keizer Volanoes, 8-6.

Let's see. . . Josh Lansford pitches well in relief, throwing two shutout innings, allowing only one hit. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Every other pitcher? Bad.

Center fielder Brett Jackson went 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. He also stole a base. Left fielder Jose Valdez was 3 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Angels, 2-1 in 11 innings.

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.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 1

Josh77 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:53:57 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Chicago Cubs pitcher Randy Wells is showing that you never know who is going to come out of the minor leagues.

Browse more photos »

A major pitcher's duel in Des Moines tonight. And if Randy Wells even finishes in the top three in the ROY voting, I'll feel stupid for leaving him off my top 20 prospects list at the beginning of the season. Of course, everyone else did too.

Almost everyone lost tonight. Only the rookies saved the system.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were outlasted by the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 1-0 in 14 innings.

Jose Ascanio went back to starting and had four great innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Ascanio was then followed by, in order, James Russell, Jeff Stevens, Blake Parker and Justin Berg. John Gaub then threw a scoreless inning, but started the next one and had to be removed for an injury. Vince Perkins then walked the batter that Gaub had started on and when he came around to score, Gaub got the loss.

Darwin Barney was 1 for 5 in his AAA debut.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were downed by the Huntsville Stars, 3-1.

Jeremy Papelbon started and pitched five shutout innings, allowing only three hits and three walks. Papelbon struck out three.

Jake Muyco pitched two innings and took the loss. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks. He didn't record a strikeout.

Left fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 3 with a walk. Shortstop Jonathan Mota went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Doug Deeds went 2 for 5.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were bitten by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-2

Ryan Searle has gone from all-star to the junk heap over the last month. Searle only lasted four innings tonight, allowing four runs on seven hits, two of which were home runs. Searle walked two but did strike out seven.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Campana has 23 steals so far this season. Second baseman Marwin Gonzalez scored once in a 2 for 3 game.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs lost to the Kane County Cougars, 3-2.

Starter Justin Bristow took the loss. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. One of the runs was unearned. Bristow struck out one.

Third baseman Jose Made had a triple in a 3 for 4 night. Made had two RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were choked and blinded by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 6-4

Starter Robert Hernandez didn't get the loss, but he got knocked around for four runs on four hits over four innings. Two of the hits were home runs. Hernandez walked one and struck out three.

AZL Cubs

The rookie league team salvaged the night and pounded the Indians, 12-3.

Catcher Richard Jones went 3 for 5 with two home runs and five RBI.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 30

Josh77 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:55:42 -0000

Angel Guzman made a rehab appearance for Peoria tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs were stopped by the Round Rock Express, 1-0.

Mitch Atkins pitched his best game of the year and got the eight inning, complete game loss. Atkins allowed the one run on three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out seven. Atkins had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning, when he allowed all three of the hits.

Center fielder Matt Camp was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

In the only Cub win of the day, the Smokies extinguished the Huntsville Stars, 7-2.

Hung-Wen Chen started and picked up the win, allowing only two runs on seven hits. He didn't walk nor strike out a batter.

Third baseman Marquez Smith hit a solo home run in a 2 for 4 game. Smith also had a double and scored twice. It was his sixth homer.

Shortstop Jonathan Mota went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Mota scored once and had one RBI. Right fielder Doug Deeds went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

Catcher Welington Castillo was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. He also scored once. Center fielder James Adduci had one RBI and one run scored in a 2 for 3 game. He also walked once.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were beat down by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 6-4.

Starter Rafael Dolis took the loss, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in only 2.2 innings. Dolis struck out three.

Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Josh Vitters was 0 for 3 with a walk in his High-A debut. Vitters did score once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were bitten by the Kane County Cougars, 4-3.

Angel Guzman started the game and pitched a perfect first inning, striking out two Cougars.

Marcus Hatley then became the "real starter" in the second inning and he pitched five shutout innings. Hatley surrendered only one hit and two walks. He did not have a strikeout.

Manolin DeLeon got the loss in relief when he allowed a run on two hits over a third of an inning.

Left fielder Drew Rundle went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Third baseman Josh Harrison went 2 for 5 with a run scored,

Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were mauled by the Yakima Bears, 9-5.

Starting pitcher Jonathan Nagel pitched three innings and allowed three runs on five hits. One of the runs was unearned. Nagel didn't walk a batter and fanned two.

Left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha did most of the damage tonight. Ha was 2 for 4 with a double and four RBI. He also scored once. The double was with the bases loaded and scored three Hawks.

Third baseman Jordan Petraitis was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.