Minor League Wrap--April 4

Iowa Cubs:

The I-Cubs lost to the Round Rock Express, 4-2 in their season opener.

Sean Marshall started the game and demonstrated why he has no business being in the Pacific Coast League.  He hurled three perfect innings and stuck out six of the nine batters he faced.  The bullpen, however, demonstrated why they do belong in the PCL.  Mike Burns, who the Cubs just picked up after he was released by the Red Sox system, took the loss, giving up two runs in three innings of relief.  Les Walrond also gave up two runs, only one of which was earned, in two innings.  Walrond did strike out three and walked only one.

The I-Cubs only managed six hits, and no one had more than one.  Center fielder Andres Torres hit a first inning home run.  Eric Patterson played second base and had a double.  Casey McGehee played third and had a double as well.

Tennessee Smokies:

The Smokies couldn't catch fire because it was raining.

Daytona Cubs:

Daytona came from behind with a three-run eighth inning to defeat the Brevard County Manatees, 9-8 and register their first win of the year.

The "Let's make Jose Ceda a starter" experiment got off to a poor start today, as Ceda gave up four runs in two innings.  He gave up two hits, walked four and struck out three.  He was relieved by Marco Carillo, who didn't do much better as he gave up two runs in three innings on six hits and two walks.  Carillo struck out one batter.  After Darin Downs gave up another run, Dumas Garcia recorded the win by throwing two perfect innings of relief.  

Some new information on Dumas Garcia.  He apparently pitched for the South Georgia Peanuts in the independent South Coast League last year, where he went 7-4 with a 3.44 ERA.  Additionally, my post about me having no clue who Dumas Garcia is? It's the #6 hit when you google "Dumas Garcia," or at least it is as I write this.

The Daytona Cubs prospects are continuing their hot start to their season.  Tony Thomas was the DH tonight and ripped three singles in five at bats. He also stole two bases.  Left fielder Ty Wright, third baseman Josh Lansford, catcher Wellington Castillo and shortstop Darwin Barney each had two singles in four at bats tonight.  All four had one RBI as well.  The big bat was right fielder Jim Adducci, who also went 2 for 4 with a big two-run double in the eighth inning that gave the D-Cubs the lead.  He finished with three RBI on the night.

Peoria Chiefs:

The Chiefs got into the win column tonight with a 7-3 victory over the Burlington Bees.

Korean bonus baby Dae-Eun Rhee got a great start to his professional career tonight.  He got the win by throwing five innings of shutout baseball, allowing only two hits and a walk while striking out five.  Blake Parker gave up a run after walking three batters in two innings of relief. Stephen Vento got the save, despite allowing two runs and six hits in two innings of work.

First baseman Jovan Rosa went 3 for 4 with two doubles. Center fielder Drew Rundle had a good night with a double and a home run in three official at bats. Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez and second baseman Nate Sampson both went 2 for 5. Catcher Josh Donaldson only went 1 for 4 with a walk, but his one hit was a big three-run double in the  ninth inning.