Cubs Minor League Wrap -- April 16

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs leave Albuquerque with a split of the Isotopes, with an 8-7 victory this afternoon at Isotopes Field.

Esmailin Caridad got the win today with a five inning start that was OK considering the altitude.  He gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks.  Two of the hits were solo home runs.  Caridad struck out three.

Jason Waddell had a strong relief outing, going two plus innings and only allowing a single to start his third inning of work.  He struck out two and walked no one, although he did hit a batter.  Chad Fox got the save with a scoreless ninth.  Fox also allowed one hit, walked no one and struck out one.

The Isotopes kept the other Fox, Jake Fox, inside the ballpark today, but he still did some damage going 2 for 5 with two doubles in five at bats.  Fox scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Jason Dubois hit his first home run of the season in the second inning. Dubois was also 2 for 5 with two runs scored and the one RBI. Bobby Scales was 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. 

Center fielder Sam Fuld looked great going 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.  Of course, when doesn't Sam Fuld look great?

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies beat the Birmingham Barons, 4-2.

(Sorry.  I just couldn't top vassalized from yesterday.)

Hung-Wen Chen is off to a good start on the new season.  He improved his record to 2-0 by allowing two runs over 6.1 innings.  One of the runs was unearned.  Chen gave up six hits, struck out four and what I love about him:  walked nobody.

Blake Parker got his first save of the year, but it wasn't easy.  Parker pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed a hit and a walk before ending the game without allowing a run with a ground out and a strike out.

First baseman Blake Lalli kept his batting average this season at .500 by going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.  Right fielder James Adducci was 2 for 4.  Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were done in by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-4.

Ryan Searle took his first loss of the season in his second start.  Searle gave up four runs in 4.2 innings, although two of the runs were unearned.  Searle got touched four five hits.  He walked one and struck out three.

Third baseman Marquez Smith hit his first home run of the season in the ninth inning.  Smith was 1 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were held up by the Quad City River Bandits 8-6, who unfortunately gave up jazz this year and went back to their former life of crime.  (The QC team returned to their old name "River Bandits" this year after being the Swing of the Quad Cities for a while.  I guess they gave up trying to win over Bix Biederbecke fans.)

Chris Carpenter had a rough start tonight to drop his record to 0-1.  Carpenter went four innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned.  Carpenter only allowed two hits, but he walked five and one of those hits left the yard.  Carpenter's one bright spot was that he struck out six.

Jose Piña got knocked around for four runs, two of which were earned, over only two-thirds of an inning.  The pitching star of the night was Ryan Buchter, who was perfect over 2.1 innings of relief.  He struck out and impressive five River Bandits.

Josh Vitters was 2 for 5 with two runs scored.  First baseman Rebel Ridling had a 2 for 4 effort with a double, a walk and two RBI.

I don't know why I even bother to mention this because you're all going to hear about it on WGN tomorrow, but catcher Michael Brenly was activated today and went 2 for 4 with a double.  He scored once and knocked one in.  I'm sure Bob will point out that his kid is now hitting .500 on the season.

It was a rough day in the field as third baseman Vitters, shortstop Ryan Flaherty, and second baseman Josh Harrison all made errors.  However, I do wonder if there was something wrong with the infield as the River Bandits infield made five errors.  All the Chief errors were fielding errors.  The QC errors were of various types, including fielding errors.