Cubs Minor League Wrap -- April 22

First off, I want to say that the BCB Scouting Bureau is off to a roaring start.  It's been a lot more successful than I thought it would be--I think we've got the Iowa Cubs down almost as well as Oneri Fleita.  (That's not to say I don't want more I-Cub reports!)  This is going to be a bit more work than I thought it would be, but I hope to have some results for you in a week or so.

We still don't have any reports on the Smokies or D-Cubs.  We do have one person who's intending to see the Smokies play in early May, so that's a start.  But we really need your help if you're in Florida.  I realize the South isn't the Cubs strongest area of the country, but I bet we've got some of you out there.

I also noticed that over 50 of you are now following this on Twitter.  I hope what I'm doing is useful.  If you want to join, it's at http://twitter.com/Cubsminorswrap

Iowa Cubs

It was too much Randy Wells for the Isotopes this afternoon as the I-Cubs blasted the Albuquerque Isotopes, 9-1.

Wells had a no-hitter going through 6.2 innings today before finally allowing a hit to Xavier Paul.  Wells finished the seventh without incident before exiting the game.  Wells threw seven innings and allowed only the one hit and two walks.  Wells struck out four.

Chad Fox struggled pitching the ninth inning. Fox gave up a run on three hits.  He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Jake Fox had the afternoon off, so right fielder Brad Snyder picked up where Fox left off and hit two home runs this afternoon.  Snyder was 2 for 5 with 5 RBI and now has four home runs on the season.

Shortstop Andres Blanco was 3 for 4 with his first home run of the season, a fourth inning solo blast.  Third baseman Bobby Scales also hit his first homer of the year in a 2 for 4 effort.  It was also a solo shot that came back-to-back with Snyder's first home run of the day.

First baseman Doug Deeds was 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were pick-axed by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 7-2.

After two strong starts to begin the season, Hung-Wen Chen got plastered today, and not in the fun way.  Chen gave up five runs on six hits and two walks over six innings.  Chen struck out three.

Jeremy Papelbon struggled too.  Papelbon allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over two innings. He did strike out four.

Second baseman Tony Thomas was 1 for 3 with a run scored and two walks.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays 7-5.

The big news tonight is that starting pitcher Dan McDaniel left the game with a back injury, apparently before throwing  a pitch.  I don't have any more information that that.  McDaniel was off to a strong start to the season and had been moving up the Cubs prospect charts, so this is not good news.

So Jake Muyco made the emergency relief appearance and ended up taking the loss.  Muyco allowed four runs, three of which were earned, in only two innings.  Myuco gave up five hits.  He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Center fielder (and all-around utility guy) Marwin Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored.  DH Tyler Colvin was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

First baseman Jovan Rosa went 2 for 2 with a double and three RBI.  He left the game in the seventh inning (he had been hit by a pitch in the first--it may or may not be connected) for Russ Canzler, who went 2 for 2 with an RBI

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs scored in the top of the ninth to take a lead, but the bullpen couldn't hold it as the Chiefs were doused by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 3-2.

Chris Carpenter also only allowed one hit in his start this afternoon.  Carpenter threw five shutout innings, walked two and struck out six. 

Chris Huseby had a strong relief appearance.  Huseby didn't allow a hit or a walk in two innings of relief while striking out four.

Erik Hamren took the loss when he walked two batters in the third of an inning he pitched.  He was relieved by Kevin Kreier, who got tagged for a game-ending triple by the only batter he faced.

Josh Vitters was 2 for 4.  He did make an error in the field.  Left fielder Cliff Andersen was also 2 for 4.