Cubs Minor League Wrap--June 18

Guess which former Cubs #1 draft pick had a big night tonight? No, not that one. No, not that other one either. Keep guessing.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs shot down the Memphis Redbirds, 9-3.

Mitch Atkins finally seems to be headed in the right direction after a disastrous start to the season. Atkins got the win today by allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings. Atkins struck out three. The longball still seems to be a problem as both runs scored on solo home runs.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin had four RBI tonight in a 3 for 3 game. Griffin also doubled, walked and scored once.

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.  Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Ryan Freel went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk and scored three times.

Tennessee Smokies

The played a lot of baseball in the Knoxville area tonight as the Smokies split a double-header with the Carolina Mudcats, taking the first game 7-6 in 12 innings and dropping the second one 6-3 in the normal seven innings.

In the first game, starter Marcos Mateo put the Smokies in a hole early by allowing five runs over only four innings.  Mateo got knocked around for five hits, two of which were home runs to the same guy. Mateo walked three and struck out two.

Marco Carillo got the win in relief. He threw 2.2 innings, allowing no runs and only one hit and one walk. He struck out two.

The hitting star of the first game was all Tyler Colvin. Colvin had two solo home runs tonight, including a walk-off blast to lead off the bottom of the 12th. Colvin was 2 for 5 total in the game.

Darwin Barney also homered in the eighth inning to even up the game after the Mudcats had pushed a run across in the top of the inning. Barney was 1 for 4. Ty Wright also had a pinch-hit home run.

Both Tony Thomas and James Adduci went 2 for 6. Thomas had an RBI and Adduci scored once. They also both had a caught stealing.

Doug Deeds went 2 for 5 and scored once.

In the second game, starter Casey Coleman took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk in five innings of work. Coleman struck out two.

Adducci went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored in the second game.

Daytona was shut down by the St. Lucie Mets, 2-1.

Starter Dan McDaniel hasn't been too good since coming off the DL about a month ago, but tonight he was back on track, allowing only one run on five hits over six innings. McDaniel walked one and struck out three.

Dustin Sasser pitched the rest of the game and got the loss. Sasser allowed one run on two hits and two walk over three innings. Sasser fanned two Mets.

Daytona managed only three hits.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs stung the Burlington Bees, 5-4 in ten innings.

Chris Archer allowed two runs on four hits and two walks during his three innings start. Archer did strike out five.

Manolin De Leon got the win in relief. De Leon allowed three hits and a walk over 2.1 innings, but didn't allow any of them to score. He struck out two.

Those of you who guessed Josh Vitters earlier weren't entirely wrong. Vitters did go 2 for 5 with the game-winning single in the tenth. Vitters also scored once.

Center fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob, your kid is on fire right now. Michael Brenly went 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI tonight.