Cubs Minor League Wrap -- May 6

All the action is finished already, so at the risk of having too many minor league stuff in a row, I'll just post this now.  Then Al and the majors will have the stage to themselves for a while.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs beat the Nashville Sounds like a drum, 7-4.

Jose Ascanio had his best start yet today with five scoreless innings to pick up his first win.  Ascanio allowed only three hits.  Better yet, he blew away an impressive nine Sounds batters in those five innings and walked nobody.

Vince Perkins got promoted to AAA and got a rude welcome in an inning of relief.  Perkins gave up three runs on a three-run home run.  He allowed two hits, one walk and struck out two.

Third baseman Matt Camp was 3 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI.  Shortstop Andres Blanco went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

Left fielder Jason Dubois hit his fourth home run of the season with two men on in a six-run second inning for Iowa.  Dubois was 2 for 4 with the three RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

Really need to start considering building an ark.  Rained out yet again.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs finally allowed some runs to the Tampa Yankees and lost 3-1.

Starter Andrew Cashner did his part though by blanking the Yankees for three innings.  Cashner allowed only one hit.  He walked two and struck out two.

Jose Piña has struggled since being promoted from Peoria.  Today he took the loss  when he allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in the inning he pitched. Piña struck out one.

Second baseman Nate Samson went 2 for 4.  Left fielder Tyler Colvin was 1 for 3 with a run scored and walk. I mention this because this is Colvin's first walk in at least ten games, after he had been drawing walks at a torrid pace to start the season.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs cracked the Lansing Lugnuts, 8-6.

Starter Marcus Hatley had some troubles giving up the longball, as he allowed two this afternoon in only three innings of work.  Hatley was tagged for four runs on five hits before he was relieved. Hatley walked only one and struck out five.

Kevin Kreier saw his record improve to 3-1 by pitching a perfect fourth inning.  Kreier struck out one.

Ryan Buchter got his third save the old-fashioned way:  by pitching the final three innings of the game; although he did enter in a save situation. Buchter allowed one run on two hits.  He struck out four and walked nobody.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his second home run in as many days and his third of the season.  Vitters had a 3 for 5 afternoon with a double and the home run.  He scored twice and batted two in.

Left fielder Josh Harrison remained red-hot with a 3 for 5 effort.  Harrison had a double and scored once.

Shortstop Ryan Flaherty went 2 for 5 with two double and two runs scored.  He also chipped in one RBI and one stolen base.  First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI.  DH Mario Mercedes had a 2 for 4 day with one RBI.

Center fielder Kyler Burke had a double in a 2 for 4 effort.  He also scored once and knocked one in.

Shortstop Junior Lake hit his first home run of the season in the second inning.  It was a solo home run and Lake was 1 for 4 on the afternoon.