Minor League Wrap--August 21

We're getting to the end of the minor league season:  Who are the Cubs minor league player and pitchers of the year?  I think Hoffpauir is most likely the player of the year.  (No, that doesn't mean he's the best prospect.  Or even a good one.) Pitcher of the Year could go to Samardzija, but if it doesn't, then who knows?

Iowa Cubs

In a match-up of likely first-round opponents in the PCL playoffs, the Iowa Cubs beat the Oklahoma RedHawks, 5-2.

Starting pitcher Jason Stanford is now 3-0 since the Cubs pulled him out of the Mexican League last month.  Stanford got the win by allowing two runs over six innings.  He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five.

Hector Carrasco walked two in two innings of relief, but didn't allow a run or a hit.  Kevin Hart threw a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save for the I-Cubs.  Hart struck out two of the three batters he faced.

Felix Pie (everyone happy now?) was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run in the sixth that gave the I-Cubs a lead that they wouldn't relinquish. 

Second baseman Bobby Scales was 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored.  DH Jason Dubois was 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.

Memphis won, so the I-Cubs magic number falls to four.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies won a pitcher's duel with the Montgomery Biscuits, 2-1.

This is why I keep saying that I'm not quite ready to give up on Donnie Veal yet.  Tonight Veal gave up one run over seven innings.  He gave up four hits total, including a solo home run that provided all of Montgomery's offense.  Veal walked only one and struck out eight.

Now if only Donnie had pitched like that a little more often this season.

The Smokies bullpen didn't allow a hit as Rocky Roquet pitched 1.1 innings and Casey Lambert struck out two and walked one in two-thirds of an inning to record his first save for Tennessee.

The Smokies only had four hits and their two runs scored on a ground out and an error.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs quest to make the playoffs just got harder tonight as their double-header at Vero Beach got rained out again tonight.  They will now have to play back-to-back double headers in the next two days, weather permitting.

Peoria Chiefs

In a game interrupted by rain, the Chiefs lost to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 6-2.

Robert Hernandez had a nice start before the rains came.  Hernandez allowed two runs over four innings on only two hits and a hit batsman.  He didn't walk a batter and struck out four.  One of the runs was unearned.

Zach Ashwood took over when play resumed, and he got knocked around for four runs over three innings.  Twice Kernel batters left the park with one of his pitches.

DH Dylan Johnston went 2 for 3 with his 12th home run, a solo shot.  Left fielder Cliff Andersen came off the DL and went 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

In what was probably the final nail in their slim post-season hopes, the second-place Boise Hawks lost to the first place Spokane Indians, 7-6.

Ryan Searle didn't give up a run in his first three appearances for Boise, but tonight he took the loss by giving up four runs in 3.1 innings.  Searle gave up four hits and two walks.  He only struck out one Indian.  One of the runs Searle allowed was unearned.

After last night's goose egg, Josh Vitters started a new hitting streak in a big way with a 2 for 5 night that included a double and his fifth home run of the season.  Shortstop Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored.  First baseman Ryan Keedy went 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Right fielder Kyler Burke continued his second-half surge with a 2 for 3 effort. Burke doubled once and walked once as well. He scored twice and had two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Beat the AZL Angels, 8-3.

Larry Suarez allowed three runs in a four-inning start.