Cubs Minor League Wrap -- May 7

Thanks to the magic that is Twitter, I now know, thanks to Smokies pitcher Jay Jackson, that the Smokies spent all those rained out days bowling and seeing the X-Men: Wolverine movie. 

If you're interested in getting the minor league headlines early on Twitter, you can follow me here.

Really late night tonight because of a double-header in Mississippi that went 12 innings in the first game.  But it's worth it, because Tony Thomas is putting together something special down there.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were silenced by the Nashville Sounds, 4-2.

Starter Esmailin Caridad took the loss despite not pitching badly at all.  Caridad gave up the two runs on two solo home runs over seven innings.  He gave up seven hits total, walked nobody and struck out two.

Left fielder Doug Deeds was 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

It was a really, really long, hot night in Pearl, Mississippi tonight and in the end, the Tennessee Smokies split a double-header with the Mississippi Braves; losing the first one 5-4 in 12 innings and taking the second one 7-0 behind a Jay Jackson shutout.

In the first game, Casey Coleman got in trouble by allowing four runs in his four inning start.  He got rocked for eight hits, walked one and struck out three in his worst start of the year.

After that, the bullpen settled down for seven innings.  Blake Parker threw one scoreless inning and then Jon Glaub, James Russell and Brian Schlitter each threw two scoreless innings.  Russell allowed two hits; the other three relievers didn't allow a single hit. 

Glaub was especially devastating tonight.  He struck out five of the six batters he faced.  The other one fouled out to the third baseman.

Jeremy Papelbon got the loss in the 12th inning. He allowed one run on two hits over two-thirds of an inning.

In the first game, second baseman Tony Thomas was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a triple.  He scored twice and was walked intentionally once.

Shortstop Darwin Barney had a 4 for 6 game with a stolen base. He scored once and had three RBI.  Too bad he went 0 for 4 in the second game.

Catcher Welington Castillo was 2 for 5.

The second game was all Jay Jackson. Jackson threw a complete game, seven-inning shutout.  Jackson dominated the Braves, allowing five hits, walking one and striking out ten Braves. He threw 80 pitches, 59 for strikes. So can we all stop worrying about him now?

Tony Thomas kept up his assault in the second game. Thomas was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.  Thomas scored once.  For the season, Thomas is now hitting .356 with a .430 OBP.  He's got five home runs already too.

Left fielder Ty Wright went 3 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 3 with a bases-loaded, three-run double. Clevenger walked once and scored once. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

The gametime temperature at the start of the first game was 91 degrees. The second game ended sometime around 1 am local time.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Clearwater Threshers, 5-2.

Whatever was wrong with Dan McDaniel's back doesn't seem to be bothering him anymore.  Tonight, McDaniel pitched 5.2 shutout innings, allowing only two hits and two walks.  He struck out nine en route to his third victory of the year.

David Cales had his fifth save of the season with two shutout innings.  He allowed one hit and struck out two while walking nobody.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos hit his second home run of the year.  It was a solo home run in a 1 for 3 night with a walk. 

Shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 3 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Right fielder Dylan Johnston was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were nailed by the Lansing Lugnuts, 4-1.

Starter Justin Bristow allowed three runs in four innings, although only one of the runs was earned.  Bristow allowed four hits, walked nobody and struck out one.

Jeff Beliveau finished the game by pitching the final four innings in relief.  Beliveau allowed one run on three hits and two walks.  He struck out four.

Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 4.