Minor League Wrap--June 29

I hardly ever criticize the umpires, but Cub fans should keep in mind, when looking at the results of individual games, that the two umpires who were behind the plate and at first base in the Cub-White Sox game tonight were not only minor league umpires, but they're considered good minor league umpires.  That tells you something about the quality of umpiring in the minor leagues.  Now over the course of a season this usually evens out, but that's why I warn against overreacting to any one game.

OK Daytona goes first tonight.  I think you'll know why.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-2 in 20 innings.

That's right.  Twenty innings. 

Grant Johnson started the game and allowed two runs in three innings.  He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out three.

Then the bullpen settled in for a long game.  Jeremy Papelbon allowed three hits in three innings, but didn't walk anyone and struck out four.  In the next 13.1 innings, the Cubs bullpen allowed only four hits.  Of course, they walked 12, although five of those were intentional.  Finally, third baseman Jonathan Mota went out onto the mound to pitch.  He pitched a scoreless 19th inning but then gave up an unearned run in the 20th inning.  The winning run scored on an error by Robinson Chirinos, who had moved over to third base when Mota went to the mound.

But hey, Chirinos was 2 for 5 with a double and three walks.  He scored both runs.  That was probably the only good hitting line of the night.  Shortstop Darwin Barney was 0 for 8. Ryan Harvey was 0 for 6 with four strikeouts and a walk. 

There may have been a reason they let Mota pitch.  He was 0 for 8 with a walk and five strikeouts.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs outlasted the Albuquerque Isotopes, 7-5.

Jeff Samardzija got his first AAA win.  The results were quite good:  one run allowed on four hits in six innings. He struck out four, which is also nice.  The bad part was the six walks.

Blake Parker and Jim Brower both allowed two runs in their relief stints.

Second baseman Bobby Scales was 2 for 4 with a walk and his tenth home run of the season.  Jason Dubois hit his tenth home run for Iowa as well in a 1 for 2 afternoon.  Dubois walked and scored twice.   Micah Hoffpauir was 2 for 4 with a double,  a walk and two RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies beat the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 4-1.

Esmailin Caridad improved his record to 2-0 in the Southern League with 6.1 strong innings of work.  Caridad allowed one run on five hits and three walks.  He struck out two.

Jose Ceda continues to impress in AA.  He picked up his third save with two innings of work.  He allowed one hit, walked nobody and struck out three.

Second baseman Nate Spears was 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.  Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 5.  Right fielder Doug Deeds was 2 for 4.

Catcher Mark Reed hit a solo home run in a 1 for 4 evening.  It was his first home run of the season.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs edged the Kane County Cougars, 4-3.

Dae-Eun Rhee had only his second bad start of the season.  Rhee pitched three innings and allowed three runs on five hits and four walks.  He struck out two.

Zach Ashwood got the win with two innings of scoreless relief.  Ashwood allowed one hit and two walks.  He struck out one.

Jordan Latham got his first save of the year.  He pitched two innings and allowed only one hit.  He didn't walk anyone and struck out one Cougar.

Second baseman Elvis Lara was 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.  DH Luis Bautista was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks scored two runs in the ninth inning to beat the Yakima Bears, 5-4.

Jose Piña pitched the first two innings without allowing a hit or a run.  He walked one and struck out three.

Bubba O'Donnell allowed an unearned run in the ninth inning and was in line for the loss before the Hawks came back.  He allowed two hits, no walks and struck out one in the inning he pitched.

First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with a three-run home run and a double that ignited the ninth inning rally.  Left fielder David Macias was 2 for 4.

Josh Vitters continued his hitting streak with a 1 for 4 effort.

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs embarrassed the AZL Royals, 18-1.

Felix Pie played in this game on a rehab assignment.  He hit a grand slam and went 2 for 3 total with a walk and five RBI.  His hand seems fine.