Cubs Minor League Wrap--June 5

If you're following me on Twitter you know who on the Peoria Chiefs are Midwest League All-Stars.  Also, if you wrote a response to me on Twitter, I just figured out that people could and were doing that tonight. I'm not ignoring you, honest!  I'm just technologically illiterate! (Oh, and to the person who said I should cover the Boise Hawks--I will when they actually have a team!  Only two weeks away now.)

This is what I like to say: EVERYBODY WINS!! Even the Smokies!

Also, I didn't get to watch most of tonight's Cubs game: Did Bob Brenly go all nuts over his kid in tonight's broadcast or do I have that to look forward to tomorrow?

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs edged the Nashville Sounds, 2-1.

Kevin Hart got his first win of the season by throwing five shutout innings and allowing only one hit.  He also struck out five Sounds. That sounds so good, I really don't want to mention the five walks and the wild pitch.

Blake Parker allowed a walk and a hit but no runs in the ninth while recording his fifth save.

First baseman Doug Deeds had a double in a 2 for 4 night.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 4 with a run scored. He's also agreed to direct the western starring Cub farm hands Rebel Ridling and Jericho Jones.

Tennessee Smokies

It was looking dark for the Smokies, but then they scored one in the sixth, one in the seventh and three in the eighth to  beat the Chattanooga Lookouts, 5-2 and snap their 12 game losing streak.

Starter Marcos Mateo allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. Mateo had some control problems as he walked four and struck out only one.

The winning pitcher for the Smokies was reliever Jayson Ruhlman, who had been demoted from Iowa in the middle of this mess. Ruhlman allowed only one walk over two innings of shutout baseball. He did not have a strikeout.

John Gaub got his second save with a perfect ninth. He struck out one.

Shortstop Darwin Barney went 3 for 4 including a two-run double in the eighth. Barney also scored once. Right fielder James Adduci was also 3 for 4 with a double. Adduci scored once and batted one in.

Daytona Cubs

A five run ninth inning left the Charlotte Stone Crabs covered in melted butter and the Cubs with a 6-1 victory.

I'm still not convinced that Andrew Cashner is a starter, but he's been pretty impressive when he has pitched. Tonight he had another short, three-inning start and he didn't allow a run. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out two. Cashner's ERA for the year is now 1.75.

Luke Sommer got the win with three innings of scoreless relief. Sommer gave up two hits, walked one and struck out four.

First baseman Jovan Rosa went 2 for 4 with a triple and three RBI. Rosa walked once and scored once. DH Jericho Jones was 2 for 3 with a double.

The speedsters at the top of the Daytona lineup were on fire tonight. Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 5 with two steals and shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 3 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and two steals of his own. They both now have ten steals on the season. Campana scored one run and Castro crossed the plate twice.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs outran the Beloit Snappers, 5-1.

Chris Carpenter was back on track tonight with five scoreless innings to record his second win of the year. Carpenter scattered five hits, walked one and whiffed four Snappers.

Catcher Michael Brenly hit his second home run of the season with a man on in the second inning. He had a sacrifice fly later to give him three RBI in a 1 for 2 night.

First baseman Rebel Ridling went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Josh Vitters only had a double in a 1 for 3 night, but what I'm sure will make some of you even happier is that he walked. He also stole a base. Vitters has now walked three times in the last ten games and has had a couple of HBPs in that time too.