Minor League Wrap--April 23

HELLO!  IS THIS THING ON?  HELLO!

Before we start tonight, the Peoria Journal-Star is reporting that the Chiefs are nearing agreement to play a game at Wrigley Field in late July.  I don't have any more details than that.  Hopefully, it will give the kids a chance to experience a major league stadium and fans a chance to see a ball game at Wrigley Field at an affordable price.  Should be a good deal for everyone--keep your eyes peeled for it.

Iowa Cubs

Spent their off-night trying to sign on to SBNation.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies lost to the Carolina Mudcats, 7-3.

Tanner Watson's good start was wasted.  Watson lasted six innings and gave up two runs, only one of which was earned, on six hits and one walk.  Watson struck out two.

Relievers Ed Campusuano and Rocky Roquet weren't so good.  Campusuano took the loss with two runs in an 1.2 innings.  Roquet came in and allowed one inherited baserunner to score and then allowed three more Mudcats to cross the plate before recording his only out.

First baseman Doug Deeds went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.  Deeds also had an RBI and a run scored.  Center fielder Tyler Colvin had a walk in his third straight game, four total in that time.  That's great, but the thing is that he's supposed to be drawing walks in addition to getting hits, and he's not doing that.  Colvin went 0 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs survived a late-inning rally to defeat the St. Lucie Mets, 5-4.

Scott Eyre started the game in a rehab assignment.  Eyre struggled a little, allowing a double and a walk before getting out of the inning unscathed.  He did strike out one Met in his one inning of work.

After Eyre left the game, the real starter, Alex Maestri came into the game and turned in yet another solid performance.  Maestri got his second win of the season with five innings of work, allowing only one run.  Maestri gave up five hits, stuck out three and walked nobody.

Casey Lambert recorded his fifth save of the season despite allowing a two-run home run in the ninth inning.  He did strike out three Mets in his 1.1 innings of work.

Right fielder Jim Adduci is quietly having a good season.  He went 3 for 5 tonight, raising his average to .368.  His OBP is over .500.  He's not a player on anyone's prospect lists, but he will be if he keeps hitting like this.  He turns 23 next month, he doesn't have any time to waste.

Catcher Wellington Castillo went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Jonathan Wyatt had two RBI in a 1 for 5 night.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chief bullpen blew a late lead in a 2-1 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts.

Hung-Wen Chen turned in a strong three innings in a short start.  He allowed only one hit, no walks and struck out three.  Zach Ashwood followed that up with three shutout innings of relief.  But Dustin Sasser took the loss by allowing two runs on three hits in the bottom of the eighth.

Catcher Josh Donaldson went 1 for 4 with an RBI double.

It must be hard to hit in the Midwest League in April because we went through this scoring drought last season.   Or maybe the whole team just wants to be like manager Ryne Sandberg and emulate his notorious slow starts.