FanPost

Minor League Wrap--July 20

Or "How I learned to stop worrying and love the Shark."

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs shut down the Nashville Sounds, 2-1.

I officially give up.  I am now ready to proclaim Jim Hendry, Tim Wilken and Oneri Fleita as geniuses.  What they do makes no sense at all, but they seem to have just produced a top pitching prospect.  Jeff Samardzija simply dominated the Nashville Sounds today.  He pitched six innings and allowed one run on two hits and a walk.  (The run scored on a single, stolen base, wild pitch and sac fly.)  The Shark struck out nine Sounds.  He was pulled after only 86 pitches, 53 of which were strikes.

I still don't understand him and neither does anyone else.  But he's treating AAA hitters like a puppy treats an old shoe.  I'm getting on board now and just ignoring all my doubts.  It doesn't make sense, but nothing about Samardzija does.

Michael Wuertz pitched a perfect ninth for his first save.

The I-Cubs won despite managing only four hits.  Iowa's two runs scored on solo home runs from Casey McGehee and Andres Torres.  It was McGehee's eleventh home run of the year and Torres' tenth.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies beat the Huntsville Stars, 7-3.

Mark Holliman got his first win of the year with five shutout innings.  Holliman allowed three hits and a walk.  He struck out four.

Jose Ceda entered the game in the eighth inning to clean up the mess that Rocky Roquet had left on the bases.  He allowed two inherited runners to score but then pitched two shutout innings for his seventh save for the Smokies.  Ceda didn't allow a hit but walked two and struck out one.

Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 4 with a walk and his third home run.  Fuld scored twice and had three RBI. 

Left fielder Jake Fox was 2 for 4 with his tenth home run.  Fox scored twice and batted one in.  First baseman Blake Lalli was 1 for 5 with a two-run home run.  It was Lalli's second home run in AA.

Third baseman Josh Lansford was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona rode a five-run seventh inning to a 5-1 victory over the Sarasota Reds.

The D-Cubs pitching dominated the Reds batters, as they allowed only three hits and two walks.  Starter Marco Carillo got the team off right with six innings of work, allowing only one run on two hits and a walk.  Carillo struck out seven.

Reliever Todd Blackford picked up the win with two innings of relief.  He allowed only a lone single while striking out two and walking no one.  Blake Parker picked up his fifth save.

Catcher (yes, he's a catcher now) Robinson Chirinos hit a two-run home run in a 1 for 3 day.  It was Chirinos' third of the season.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs drove the Great Lakes Loons nutty with a 7-1 victory.

More great pitching today as Kevin Kreier picked up the win with by allowing only a single run on two hits in six innings.  Kreier struck out one Loon and walked one.

Center fielder Jonathan Wyatt had a big day.  Wyatt was 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI.  Wyatt scored three times.

Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.  First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with three RBI.

Shortstop Nate Samson hit a double, walked twice and had a sacrifice bunt in four trips to the plate. He stole two bases, scored twice and had one RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks beat the Everett Aqua Sox, 9-6.

Justin Bristow started and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in four innings.  Bristow struck out five. 

Reliever Luke Sommer gave up the lead but then settled down to pick up the win.  Sommer threw three innings and allowed one run on two hits.  He struck out one and walked no one.

Center fielder Kurt Calvert was 3 for 4 with a double.  He had two RBI and also walked once.  Second baseman Josh Harrison was 2 for 5 with a double.  Harrison scored twice and batted three runs in.

Left fielder Drew Rundle was 2 for 3 with a double and a triple.  Rundle scored twice and had one RBI.  He also walked once.

AZL Cubs

Took the day off because they were too excited to concentrate on the game with Alfonso Soriano joining the team tomorrow.

 

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