Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 24

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were beaten by the New Orleans Zephyrs, 5-2.

Starter Esmailin Caridad was very effective for four shutout innings, surrendering only one hit and one walk. Caridad fanned five.

Since being sent down to the minors, Neal Cotts had been pitching very effectively, at least until tonight when the Neal Cotts who can't find the plate resurfaced. Cotts walked in a run when he entered the game with the bases loaded in the eighth and then allowed a three-run home run in the ninth. Overall, Cotts was credited with allowing three runs on three hits and a three walks over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Right fielder So Taguchi was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. Luis Rivas was 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Ryan Freel finished his rehabbing by going 2 for 4 with a double. He was also caught stealing.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies burnt the Montgomery Biscuits, 6-0.

Casey Coleman improved his season record to 7-3 with six innings, allowing only four hits and a walk. Coleman struck out four.

Left fielder Tyler Colvin hit his sixth home run in only 69 AA at-bats tonight. Colvin went 3 for 4 with the solo home run in the sixth inning. Colvin scored three times.

Right fielder Doug Deeds hit his first AA HR in a 2 for 4 night. Deeds had two RBI and also walked once.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Daytona split a double-header with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, winning the first 3-2 in eight innings and dropping the second, 6-5.

Rafael Dolis started the first game. He allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Todd Blackford got the win with two shutout innings. He gave up two hits and a walk and struck out one.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 with two doubles and a run scored. Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. He stole one base and was thrown out another time.

Marwin Gonzalez had a double and a run scored in a 2 for 3 game.

In the second game, Dan McDaniel just hasn't been right since his injury earlier in the season. McDaniel gave up six runs on eight hits and three walks in only 3.2 innings. He also hit two batters. Two of the runs were unearned, however. McDaniel only had one strikeout.

Third baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 4 with a home run. Opitz scored twice and had two RBI. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was 2 for 3 with two doubles and a run scored.

Guyer had another big game in the nightcap, going 3 for 4 with a stolen base.

Catcher Luis Flores was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. First baseman Ryan Keedy went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs are still on the All-Star Break. They finished the first half at 38-31, which was fourth place but only 2.5 games out of first.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks losing ways continued as they were drowned in magma by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 5-3.

Larry Suarez pitched in his first game above the rookie ball tonight and didn't last very long. Suarez gave up three runs, two earned, in 1.1 inning. Suarez gave up two hits, walked three and struck out two. Despite having signed with the Cubs back in 1989, Suarez is still only 19 years old. (Just kidding. Suarez signed to much fanfare in 2006.)

Catcher Matt Cerda was 2 for 4. SS Hak-Ju Lee was 1 for 3 with a walk, extending his hitting streak to start his professional career to five games.

AZL Cubs

Crushed the Brewers, 12-6.