SB Nation User Blog: Josh77

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 5

Josh77 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:41:53 -0000

Good night for all the #1 Draft Picks--well, not Cashner, he pitched great yesterday though.

And we're only going to say good things about the Hawks tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blown away by the New Orleans Zephyrs, 9-1.

Just when it looked like Mitch Atkins had turned his season around, stuff like tonight happens. Atkins didn't make it out of the first inning as he got rocked for seven runs on four hits, two walks and a hit by pitch in only two-thirds of an inning. At least both of the outs he did record were via the strikeout.

Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

Better news comes from AA, where the Smokies shut out the Carolina Mudcats, 6-0.

We talk a lot about Jay Jackson around here, but Casey Coleman has pitched every bit as well as Jackson has this season. Tonight Coleman had his best game of the year, throwing eight shutout innings and allowing only two hits and three walks. Coleman struck out four as he improved his season record to 9-3. Oh, he went 2 for 4 with the bat as well.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 3 for 5 tonight with two doubles and his seventh home run in AA. That's in only 104 ABs in Tennessee, too. Colvin scored twice and had two RBI.

Center fielder James Adduci had four singles in five trips to the plate. That led to three RBI. He also stole a base.

Second baseman Nate Samson was 3 for 5 and scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were grounded by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-4.

The Cubs have been very careful with Rafael Dolis, since he missed all of last season after having arm surgery. But it must have been tough to take him out of the game tonight after five innings as he had a no-hitter going. He only walked one batter for his only baserunner and he fanned five.

Dustin Sasser pitched the final two innings and gave up the Cubs four-run lead. Sasser gave up four runs on five hits and a walk. He also allowed two inherited runners to score. He did strike out three.

DH Josh Vitters had his best game for Daytona tonight as he was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He had two RBI.

Shortstop Starlin Castro hit a solo home run in the first inning. It was his third homer of the season. Castro was 1 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were chopped down by the Beloit Snappers, 4-2.

Starter Marcus Hatley took the loss, giving up three runs on five hits over three innings. He walked one and didn't strike anyone out.

For the rehabbers, Aramis Ramirez was 1 for 2 with a walk. Reed Johnson was 1 for 4 and scored a run.

For the real minor leaguers, left fielder Nelson Perez had a solo shot that was his eighth home run on the season. Perez was 1 for 4.

Catcher Michael Brenly was 3 for 4 with a double.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks blew a five-run lead in the top of the ninth. Then the gave up a run in the top of the tenth. But they came back with two runs in the bottom of the tenth to stun the Eugene Emeralds, 9-8 in ten innings.

Let's see, good stuff about the pitching staff. Dionis Nunez threw two shutout innings in the sixth and seventh, allowing only one batter to reach by the hit by pitch and then promptly getting the next batter to hit into a double play. He also struck out two.

Third baseman George Matheus was 3 for 4 with four RBI, including the game-ending single that scored two, although the winning run scored on a throwing error on the play.

DH Jae-Hoon Ha went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Ha had one RBI and scored three times. And I shudder to think what Ron Santo would say if he even made the major league team.

Just to finish out the #1 Draft picks, Brett Jackson was 1 for 4 with a walk. Jackson scored once and had one RBI.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 4

Josh77 — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:31:14 -0000

You know, I thought that putrid odor in the air here in Boise was from all the fireworks going off. Nope, it's just the Hawks!

Good news is that the help for the Hawks arrived today with Brett Jackson's arrival from Arizona.

Iowa Cubs

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

Esmailin Caridad improved his record to 4-9 with 6.1 innings pitched, allowing four runs, all of which scored on a pair of home runs. Caridad allowed six hits and three walks total while striking out six.

Blake Parker pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save. Parker didn't allow a hit. He walked one and struck out two.

Nate Spears hit his first home run of the season tonight in a 2 for 4 game. It was a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Spears also walked once.

Right fielder So Taguchi went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice. Catcher Chris Robinson was also 2 for 4. Robinson scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Darwin Barney and left fielder John-Ford Griffin were both 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies cooked the Carolina Mudcats, 7-4.

Andrew Cashner's AA debut was quite a successful one tonight. He went five innings and allowed only one run on three hits. Cashner struck out six and didn't walk anyone. He went 1 for 2 with the bat as well. I'm assuming that's his first professional hit since the other leagues he's played in are DH-only leagues.

Jayson Ruhlman was called in to get the final out for his second save. He did hit a batter before ending the game.

Third baseman Marquez Smith had two doubles in a 3 for 5 evening. Smith scored three times.

Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 5 with a double and one RBI. Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees, 4-1.

Dan McDaniel evened his record at 5-5 with five innings, allowing only one run on four hits. McDaniel walked two and struck out seven.

David Cales got his tenth save with 1.1 innings of relief. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Brandon Guyer went 2 for 5 with a stolen base and an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were bitten by the Beloit Snappers, 4-1.

Aaron Shafer took the loss, allowing four runs over his four inning start. Only one of the four runs was earned, however. Shafer surrendered six hits and one walk while striking out two.

Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were shut out again, this time by the Eugene Emeralds, 8-0.

Jeffry Antigua had a good start tonight, throwing five shutout innings. He allowed only one hit while walking two and striking out four.

Josh Whitlock relieved him and unfortunately made a strong case for his release. Whitlock allowed eight runs on seven hits, two of which were home runs, in only 1.1 innings of work. Whitlock also walked two.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 1 for 4 in his Boise debut.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Rangers, 7-5.

DH Justin Bour was 3 for 3 with two walks and a grand slam home run. He also stole a base.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 3

Josh77 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:10:53 -0000

After ten hours on the road, here I am in Boise bringing you the recap of tonight's exciting minor league action.

But you'll have to forgive me if it's somewhat incoherent, After driving for ten hours, I'm seeing two computer screens and two keyboards.

Some guy named Ramirez played for Peoria.

Oh, Ryne Sandberg had an interesting night too.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs blasted the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 7-1.

Angel Guzman started and faced six batters and threw 25 pitches, 15 for strikes. He allowed a hit and a walk in 1.1 innings and struck out one.

Casey Fossum made his Cub organizational debut after that and picked up the win, going 4.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits and two walks. The run scored on a solo home run. Fossum struck out five for a pretty impressive I-Cub debut.

See, that's how you get a starting pitcher the win despite not going five innings. Have a rehabbing reliever pitch the first inning.

Third baseman Nate Spears had 3 hits in 4 ABs tonight. Spears scored once and had one RBI.

Second baseman Luis Rivas had a double in a 2 for 4 game. Rivas had two RBI and scored once. Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

I didn't even notice that first baseman Matt Craig rejoined the Cub organization a couple of days ago. Craig was 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Craig had been playing for the Marlins this season after spending seven seasons in the Cub organization.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies eclipsed the Huntsville Stars, 5-3.

After a horrible start to the season, Marcos Mateo is starting to right the ship in Tennessee with his third straight start allowing only one run. Tonight he pitched six innings and surrendered only the one run on three hits and a walk. Mateo fanned five.

The ninth inning was when things got interesting. Brian Schlitter came in for the save and walked four while grabbing only two outs. But Ryno didn't think the calls were very good and asked the umpire where the pitches were. After his questions were ignored, Sandberg went ballistic and bumped the home plate umpire in a heated argument. This was Sandberg's third ejection in the past seven games and his sixth of the season. Sandberg is certain to be suspended for this one as contact was made with the umpire "multiple times" according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Jayson Ruhlman walked in another run in the ninth but got the final out and the save after that.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Shortstop Nate Samson, recently promoted from Daytona to replace Darwin Barney, was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs lost to the Brevard County Manatees, 4-2.

James Leverton, who was taken in the draft last season one round before Jay Jackson, saw his record fall to 5-8 by allowing three runs on five hits in only three innings. Leverton walked one and struck out one.

Second baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 2 with a triple and two walks. Opitz scored once and had one RBI.

Josh Vitters had a rough night: 0 for 4 with two errors. He did have an RBI on a ground out though.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Guyer also scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs hunted down the Kane County Cougars, 7-1.

Jeff Beliveau has got to be opening some eyes down in Peoria this season. Tonight he allowed only one run on three hits over five innings. He walked only one and struck out six. So far this season, he's struck out 78 batters in 58 innings. He's walked 28, which while that's not good, it's acceptable for someone who has struck out so many and has held opposing hitters to a .207 average. He's also only allowed two home runs so far, and that's excellent.

Aramis Ramirez started his rehab and went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI. He played four innings of third base before exiting the game.

Right fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice and had two RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling went 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI.

Boise Hawks

Lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils, 12-0.

The less said about this game, the better.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Dodgers, 6-5 in ten innings.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 2

Josh77 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:25:25 -0000

A quick note. There will be a minor league wrap for tomorrow, but I can't guarantee that it will be posted tomorrow. I'm on my way to Boise, where I will see the Hawks play.

Iowa Cubs

It wasn't as good of a pitcher's duel as yesterday, but the Iowa Cub pitchers did outduel the Oklahoma City RedHawks pitchers, 2-1.

J.R. Mathes improved his record to 8-5 by allowing only one run on a solo home run over six innings. Mathes scattered seven hits total and walked three. He struck out one.

Blake Parker notched his eighth save with a perfect ninth. He struck out one.

Right fielder John-Ford Griffin hit his second home run for Iowa in the sixth. Griffin was 1 for 4 with the one RBi.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were outdazzled by the Huntsville Stars, 4-3.

Starter Jay Jackson allowed only one run on four hits over four innings. Jackson struck out five and walked only two.

Todd Blackford got the loss, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 3 with a run scored. First baseman Doug Deeds scored once in a 2 for 4 night.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were nailed by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 2-1.

Chris Carpenter had a really strong start in his High-A debut. He pitched six shutout inning, allowing only four hits and a walk. Carpenter struck out five.

Luke Sommer got the loss in relief. Sommer gave up two runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Sommer struck out four.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 and scored a run. Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 and stole a base.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs extinguished the Kane County Cougars, 3-1.

Chris Archer had another five shutout innings tonight to grab the win. He allowed three hits. He struck out four and walked only one. I'll take that over the five no-hit innings he threw last time out but with five walks.

Chris Huseby got his eighth save with a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up one hit and struck out two.

Left fielder Josh Harrison was 3 for 4 with his fourth home run of the season. Second baseman Ryan Flaherty hit his tenth home run of the year in a 2 for 4 game. Both homers were solo shots.

Boise Hawks

The ~~Korean Junior National Team~~ Boise Hawks lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils, 6-5.

Starter Su-Ming Jung lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Both runs scored on a two-run home run. Jung struck out one.

Left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. He stole two bases and scored twice. So far, Lee is hitting .340 with a .426 OBP and seven steals in 12 games.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Mariners, 6-5.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 3 for 5 with a triple and two RBI. He scored all three times. He did strike out his other two times up.

Get that guy up to Boise before I get there.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 1

Josh77 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:38:33 -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 09:26:50 -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.

Cubs Minor League Wrap --June 29

Josh77 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:13:03 -0000

It's finally happened. Josh Vitters was promoted to Daytona.

(Hat tip to Outshined_One.)

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs lost to the Round Rock Express, 3-2.

Esmailin Caridad started and took the loss, allowing three runs over 5.2 innings. He gave up five hits and issued four walks while striking out seven. One of the runs Caridad allowed was unearned.

Nate Spears went 3 for 4 with an RBI. So Taguchi was 2 for 5.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies outshined the Huntsville Stars, 7-2.

Casey Coleman improved his record this season to 8-3. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. Coleman struck out six.

Alex Maestri went the final 2.1 innings without allowing a hit for his second save of the season. Maestri walked one and struck out one.

Six Smokies had two hits tonight. Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 2 with a double and an intentional walk. He had one run and one RBI. He also stole a base.

Center fielder James Adduci went 2 for 3 with two RBI. Shortstop Darwin Barney went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Third baseman Marquez Smith had a double and two runs scored in a 2 for 5 game. Left fielder Ty Wright went 2 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored. First baseman Russ Canzler had a double in a 2 for 4 night.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs nailed the Jupiter Hammerheads, 3-1.

Dan McDaniel had a good start tonight, allowing one unearned run over six innings. McDaniel surrendered five hit and one walk while striking out four.

David Cales entered the game with one out and two on in the ninth and struck out both batters he faced to get his ninth save.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer got his High-A batting average up to .410 with a 3 for 4 an RBI.He also stole a base.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. Catcher Robinson Chirinos was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

Had a going-away party for Josh Vitters and Chris Carpenter.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks and the Yakima Bears were scoreless through nine tonight, and then they gave up two runs in the top of the tenth. But then the offense came alive and they stunned the Yakima Bears 3-2 in ten innings.

Starter Tarlandas Mitchell struck out six in three scorless innings. He gave up two hits and a walk.

First baseman Greg Rohan was 3 for 5 with the game-winning RBI double in the tenth inning.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 1 for 4 with a two RBI double that tied the game in the bottom of the tenth. Lee also scored the winning run.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Brewers, 7-1

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 28

Josh77 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:24:59 -0000

Anyone else want to just chuck the whole major league team and start over? Let's see the lineup: 1. Thomas 2B 2. Castro SS 3. Vitters 3B 4. Fox 1B (We'll count him as a minor leaguer) 5.Colvin LF 6. Clevenger C 7. Burke CF 8. Guyer RF 9. Jackson SP. OK, they'd lose 120 games. But they'd at least be interesting. And we'd get Bryce Harper next year.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs were stopped by the Round Rock Express 8-4.

Greg Reinhard started and took the loss, giving up five runs in only three innings. Reinhard surrendered eight hits and a walk while fanning four.

Right fielder So Taguchi led off the game with his first home run of the year. It was his only hit in five trips to the plate.

Second baseman Luis Rivas went 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were eclipsed by the Huntsville Stars, 3-2.

Marcos Mateo pitched well, allowing only one run on five hits in his five inning start. The one run scored on a solo home run. Mateo didn't walk anyone and struck out two. He did hit two batters.

Jake Muyco took the loss in relief when he allowed a solo home run in the ninth. Muyco pitched one inning and allowed only that one home run. He struck out two.

Right fielder Doug Deeds was 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs denied the Fort Myers Miracle, 5-1.

Andrew Cashner continues to put up zeros on the scoreboard, pitching another four innings today, allowing no runs on two hits. Cashner walked three and struck out three. He has now not allowed a run in his last three starts, which spanned 12 innings.

Dustin Sasser got the win because Cashner didn't go five. He pitched three innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits and a walk. Sasser struck out four.

Second baseman Nate Samson had a big day. He went 4 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs rode a nine-run eighth inning to skin the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 15-6.

Starter Aaron Shafer had a rough game, allowing five runs on six hits over five innings. Shafer walked two and struck out two.

Jeffrey Beliveau is putting up some ridiculous numbers for Peoria this season. Today he pitched four innings and allowed one run on two hits and two walks. The ridiculous part was that he struck out eight. Beliveau has now struck out 72 batters in only 53 innings this season.

The Chiefs banged out 17 hits today, led by Drew Rundle, who was 4 for 5 with a double. Rundle scored three times and had one RBI.

Josh Vitters, Ryan Flaherty and Rebel Ridling each went 2 for 5 with a run scored. Vitters had one RBI, Flaherty two and Ridling three. Both of Ridling's hits were doubles.

Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 6 with two RBI and a run scored. We're also past the MWL All-Star Break and I don't think I've called him Nelson Cruz yet, which is something of a miracle. Not only do they have similar names, they're similar players.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks came home today and managed to defeat the Yakima Bears, 3-2.

Jeffry Antigua got the win with four innings of shutout relief. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out three.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 4. Catcher Alvaro Sosa went 2 for 3.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 11-3.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 27

Josh77 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:32:36 -0000

Josh Vitters is out of his slump. Jake Opitz has a big night for Daytona.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were run over by the Round Rock Express, 6-5.

J. R. Mathes allowed five runs on ten hits in his five inning start. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four.

Blake Parker gave up a run on two hits in the ninth to take the loss. Parker had no walks and struck out one.

Shortstop Matt Camp went 3 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI. Camp also stole his eighth base of the season.

Third baseman Nate Spears went 3 for 5 with a triple and two runs scored. Right fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk.

Jason Dubois hit his ninth home run in a 2 for 4 game. It was a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies topped the Montgomery Biscuits, 6-5.

Well, he's human. Jay Jackson started tonight and lasted only 4.2 innings. He allowed three runs on five hits and four walks. Jackson only struck out two.

Jake Muyco got the win, even though he gave up a run on three hits over 1.1 innings.

Brian Schlitter notched his 12th save despite pitching poorly in the ninth. He gave up a lead-off home run and loaded the bases with two outs with three singles, but got the last batter swinging to end the game.

Shortstop Darwin Barney gave the Smokies the insurance run they needed in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, his third of the season. Barney went 2 for 4 tonight.

Third baseman Marquez Smith went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI. Center fielder James Adduci doubled and scored a run in a 2 for 4 game.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs slapped out 16 hits on the way to beating the Fort Myers Miracle, 6-4.

James Leverton improved his record to 5-7 by allowing only one run over five innings. Leverton gave up seven hits and issued two walks. He struck out three.

David Cales got his eighth save with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two.

Third baseman Jake Opitz went 5 for 5 with a double and a triple. He scored twice and had three RBI.

Shortstop Starlin Castro went 3 for 5 with a run scored. Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 5 with a double and a triple. Guyer crossed the plate twice.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were on the bad side of a pitcher's duel tonight as they were outlasted by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 2-1.

Chris Carpenter had 4.1 scoreless innings tonight. He gave up five hits and walked one while striking out two.

Manolin DeLeon gave up a run to take the loss in the 14th, although he didn't allow either a walk or a hit. He was done in by two errors and a wild pitch. He tossed 1.2 innings total and struck out four.

The Chiefs made five errors tonight and both runs allowed were unearned.

Josh Vitters homered again tonight in a 3 for 6 game. DH Josh Harrison went 3 for 5 with a walk.

Boise Hawks

Oh the humanity. The Hawks were blasted again by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 12-3.

Starter Miguel Sierra didn't make it out of the second inning, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks. The rest of the pitching staff wasn't much better.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee now has an eight game hitting streak to start his US career. Tonight, Lee went 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and two stolen bases.

Third baseman Greg Rohan and center fielder Jose Valdez were both 2 for 3 with a walk.

AZL Cubs

Clubbed the Athletics, 10-4.

Second baseman Derrick Fitzgerald's 2 for 5 game lowered his batting average in his first seven games to .583.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 26

Josh77 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:23 -0000

Josh Vitters hit his first home run this month tonight after a torrid May when he couldn't do anything but hit homers.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs zipped past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-3.

Jeff Samardzija picked up his fifth win tonight with seven solid innings. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five.

The I-Cubs had ten hits, all singles. Bobby Scales and Luis Rivas were both 2 for 4 with a run scored. Rivas added in an RBI. So Taguchi went 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. Matt Camp had a walk, an RBI and a stolen base in a 2 for 3 game.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies lost to the Montgomery Biscuits, 4-2.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon took the loss, allowing all four runs in only 3.2 innings. Papelbon was tagged for seven hits, including two home runs. He walked two and fanned three.

First baseman Doug Deeds went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. Deeds scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs transformed the hometown cheers for the Fort Myers Miracle into whine, 8-6.

Starter Craig Muschko threw four innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Henry Williamson pitched very poorly, but got the win anyway when the offense scored for him. Williamson pitched two innings and gave up four runs on five hits and two walks. He didn't strike anyone out.

Shortstop Starlin Castro had a huge game, collecting five RBI with a double and a triple in a 2 for 4 night. Castro also walked once and scored once.

Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt went 2 for 4 with a run scored. First baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer had a double and an RBI in a 2 for 4 game. Guyer is now hitting .396 in 13 games in High-A. If the Cubs hadn't jumped him all the way to AA this season, I don't think anyone would be disappointed in his numbers at Daytona so far.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs bullpen broke down and the Chiefs fell to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 3-2.

Starter Chris Archer had a no-hitter going when he got pulled after five innings. The only problem was that he had probably thrown a lot of pitches considering he had walked five batters in that time, although none of them scored. Archer struck out four.

Chris Huseby blew his first save of the season, taking the loss as he allowed one run on four hits in one inning. He also allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning. Huseby struck out one.

Josh Vitters hit his first home run this month, going 2 for 4 with two RBI. As hot as Vitters was in May, he's been cold in June. Perhaps this is a sign he's breaking out of his slump.

Center fielder David Macias was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The carnage continued as the Hawks were blown up by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 11-1.

Robert Hernandez got beat up for four runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. He walked two and struck out five. One of the runs was unearned.

Catcher Alvaro Sosa was 1 for 3 with his first home run of the season.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Angels, 7-5.