Minor League Wrap--September 3

I don't know if it's going to make anyone feel any better, but I've got a lot of good news tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs scored eight runs in the sixth inning to crush the Oklahoma RedHawks, 10-3 and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Starter Randy Wells was the beneficiary of this offensive explosion and picked up the win.  Wells went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits.  He walked one RedHawk and struck out six.

Rocky Roquet threw a scoreless ninth inning in his first appearance in AAA.  Roquet didn't allow a hit, walked one and struck out one.

First baseman Jason Dubois homered in the eight-run sixth with a man on.  Dubois was 3 for 5 on the night with two doubles and that home run.  He knocked in three runs.

Shortstop Luis Figueroa was 4 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. 

Second baseman Bobby Scales returned to the lineup to go 3 for 4 with two doubles and a walk.  Scales had one RBI and scored twice.  His leadoff walk in the sixth got the inning started.

And just as a personal comment, how in the world has Bobby Scales never gotten a chance to play in the major leagues?  I'm not advocating we call him up, because he's thirty years old now and we're already set at second base.  But he's had a pretty solid minor league career and is certainly a better player than guys currently sitting on minor league benches.  He's a major reason why the I-Cubs finished with the best record in the PCL.  I'm not saying he would have been a star had someone given him a chance.  But for him to never even gotten a major league at-bat? I don't get it.  It's not as if he's a jerk, either, as the I-Cubs gave him their year-end community service award.

I'm sure Bobby's happy someone is sticking up for him.  Just another reason to hate the Padres, I guess.

The I-Cubs and RedHawks meet again tomorrow night at 6:35 central in Principal Park in Des Moines for game two of the series.  All games can be watched for free at Milb.com.

Daytona Cubs

The I-Cubs had an eight-run sixth?  Then how about a six-run eighth? That's exactly what Daytona did tonight to come from behind to beat the palm Beach Cardinals, 10-9.

James Russell got the start in the second attempt at game one tonight.  Russell kept Daytona in the game and allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. Russell struck out five and walked only one.

The bullpen, however, was a disaster.  Todd Blackford gave up two runs without recording an out.  Jayson Ruhlman allowed two runs in 1.2 innings.  Blake Parker, who got the win, allowed one run in a third of an inning, which included a bases-clearing bases-loaded double that allowed two inherited runners to score.  Mike Cooper gave up a run in 1.2 innings.  Only Brian Schlitter, who picked up the save, managed to escape with out allowing a run, and Schlitter only faced two batters and waked one of them.

But the Daytona offense made none of that matter.  Every player in the starting lineup had at least one hit, and three of them had three. 

Where to start?  Shortstop Darwin Barney went 3 for 4, scoring twice and getting one ribbie.  First baseman Russ Canzler hit the D-Cubs' only home run and went 2 for 5 on the night.  Canzler had two RBI total.  The homer was a solo shot in the ninth. 

Third baseman Jonathan Mota was 3 for 5 with a double.  Mota crossed the plate twice.  Catcher Steve Clevenger had a 3 for 5 night as well.

Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.  Center fielder Jim Adducci was also 2 for 4 and he had two RBI.

The Daytona Cubs and Palm Beach Cardinals continue their best-of-three series tomorrow night at Jackie Robinson Park in Daytona.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks ended their season tonight with a 3-1 loss to the Spokane Indians.

Chris Carpenter got the final start of the year and picked up the loss.  He gave up three unearned runs on three hits and three walks over 3.1 innings.  The good news was that Carpenter struck out seven, including recording the first six outs by strikeout.  He only allowed one walk in those first two innings as well.

Luke Sommer threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief and Mike Perconte was unscored upon in two innings.

Shortstop Ryan Flaherty went 2 for 4 with a double and left fielder Drew Rundle was 2 for 3 with the Hawks lone RBI.

It was a pretty successful season for the Hawks as they finished the year at 43-33, which was the second-best record in the Northwest League.  Unfortunately, they play in the same division as Spokane who went 51-25, so Boise did not make the playoffs.