Cubs Minor League Wrap -- May 5

I don't have the exact quote, but I like what Mike Krukow said about Bobby Scales today.  It was something like he may be a rookie up here, but anyone who's played eleven years in the minors is a veteran in my book, and that he knows how to play the game.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs heard "Taps" played by the Nashville Sounds in a 8-6 loss.

I had suggested that Mitch Atkins might be the better choice for the start on Friday.  I'd like to officially say "never mind."  Atkins got shelled for eight runs over 4.2 innings.  Atkins got tattooed for seven hits and he walked three.  He struck out four and one of the runs was unearned.

The bullpen gave the Cubs a chance to get back into the game.  Jesse Estrada pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and then Jayson Ruhlman, Jeff Stevens and Jason Waddell each threw a scoreless inning. Ruhlman was the only one to even allow a lone hit.

Catcher Chris Robinson had three doubles in a 3 for 4 night.  Robinson had four RBI and scored once.  Right fielder Brad Snyder went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.  Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 5 with a double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were walloped to the Mississippi Braves, 8-1.

Hung-Wen Chen started and allowed two runs, one earned, over two innings. He gave up three hits, one of which was a solo home run.  Chen walked two and struck out three.

It looks like Manager Ryne Sandberg pulled Chen early so that a lot of people could get some work in after the several rainouts the Smokies have gone through.  Let's just say most of them looked pretty rusty.

The bats and gloves looked just as rusty.  Second baseman Tony Thomas was 1 for 4 with a double, but he struck out twice and made two throwing errors.

Daytona Cubs

It's back-to-back shutouts of the Yankees as the D-Cubs blanked the Tampa Yankees, 3-0.

James Leverton evened his record out to 2-2 with a five-inning start.  Leverton gave up three hits, walked three and struck out three.  Jake Muyco tossed three innings of relief, permitting only two hits and a walk.  Muyco fanned one.

David Cales notched his fourth save of the season by pitching the ninth.  He recorded the first two outs and then brought the tying run to the plate with a walk and a single before recording the final out.

Second baseman Jake Opitz was 3 for 4 with a run scored. Left fielder Tyler Colvin hit a triple in a 2 for 4 effort. Colvin scored twice.  Shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 3 with two doubles.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs erased a 6-2 deficit to loosen the Lansing Lugnuts, 7-6.

Starter Aaron Shafer had his worst start of the season by allowing five runs on six hits in five innings. He walked one and didn't strike out anyone.

Mike Perconte got the win in relief. He allowed one run on three hits over two innings. Perconte walked one and struck out two.

Erik Hamren got his fifth save with a scoreless ninth. Hamren allowed one hit and struck out one.

DH Josh Harrison had a big night.  He was 4 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Harrison is now hitting .382 on the young season.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his second home run on the year the day after getting ejected. Vitters was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Shortstop Junior Lake knocked out two hits in five at-bats.  He scored once.  Center fielder Drew Rundle had two hits in his fourth game since being demoted from Daytona.  Rundle was 2 for 4 with a walk, a double and a run scored.