Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 2

by Josh Timmers on Jul 3, 2009 2:57 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

A quick note. There will be a minor league wrap for tomorrow, but I can't guarantee that it will be posted tomorrow. I'm on my way to Boise, where I will see the Hawks play.

Iowa Cubs

It wasn't as good of a pitcher's duel as yesterday, but the Iowa Cub pitchers did outduel the Oklahoma City RedHawks pitchers, 2-1.

J.R. Mathes improved his record to 8-5 by allowing only one run on a solo home run over six innings. Mathes scattered seven hits total and walked three. He struck out one.

Blake Parker notched his eighth save with a perfect ninth. He struck out one.

Right fielder John-Ford Griffin hit his second home run for Iowa in the sixth. Griffin was 1 for 4 with the one RBi.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were outdazzled by the Huntsville Stars, 4-3.

Starter Jay Jackson allowed only one run on four hits over four innings. Jackson struck out five and walked only two.

Todd Blackford got the loss, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 3 with a run scored. First baseman Doug Deeds scored once in a 2 for 4 night.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were nailed by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 2-1.

Chris Carpenter had a really strong start in his High-A debut. He pitched six shutout inning, allowing only four hits and a walk. Carpenter struck out five.

Luke Sommer got the loss in relief. Sommer gave up two runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Sommer struck out four.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 and scored a run. Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 and stole a base.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs extinguished the Kane County Cougars, 3-1.

Chris Archer had another five shutout innings tonight to grab the win. He allowed three hits. He struck out four and walked only one. I'll take that over the five no-hit innings he threw last time out but with five walks.

Chris Huseby got his eighth save with a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up one hit and struck out two.

Left fielder Josh Harrison was 3 for 4 with his fourth home run of the season. Second baseman Ryan Flaherty hit his tenth home run of the year in a 2 for 4 game. Both homers were solo shots.

Boise Hawks

The ~~Korean Junior National Team~~ Boise Hawks lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils, 6-5.

Starter Su-Ming Jung lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Both runs scored on a two-run home run. Jung struck out one.

Left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. He stole two bases and scored twice. So far, Lee is hitting .340 with a .426 OBP and seven steals in 12 games.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Mariners, 6-5.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 3 for 5 with a triple and two RBI. He scored all three times. He did strike out his other two times up.

Get that guy up to Boise before I get there.

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Comments

No shouts of joy about the trade today?

I figured you’d be the first person thanking Jim Hendry for trading away Al Alburquerque, if only because you would no longer have to type his name.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Jul 3, 2009 3:19 AM CDT reply actions

he mentioned it in the trade thread

it’s all good.

enjoy boise. don’t sweat the post timing. we appreciate your efforts. you’re entitled to a breather here and there.

by tim815 on Jul 3, 2009 7:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Ah, missed it in the confusion

Thanks.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Jul 3, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Why didn't Jackson start in Boise?

I thought for sure that is where he was going to go. Better instruction in AZ.?
I am glad Archer is throwing well.
Enjoy Boise.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jul 3, 2009 7:48 AM CDT reply actions

Jackson

Hasnt played in over a month, just getting his feet underneath him. Ill bet he’s there when they come home July 4th at Boise.

by Slamdog on Jul 3, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope so

I’d imagine that Jackson is in Arizona because that’s where the Cubs minor league brain trust is headquartered and they want to get a look at him before sending him to Boise. (Where they’ll still fly up to look at him, just not all at the same time.)

by Josh Timmers on Jul 3, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I was at the Smokies game last night

Overall I was very impressed with Jay Jackson. He consistently hit low 90’s with his fastball, seemed to keep hitters off-balance with his off-speed pitches. The only real negative with his pitching was the tendency to give up a lot of fly ball outs (I don’t remember any ground outs actually). His offense was even impressive. Put down a perfect sac bunt in his 1st AB (which he nearly beat out…very fast runner) and in his 2nd AB, he smoked a single to LF…unfortunately it was hit hard enough for the left-fielder to have plenty of time to gun down Colvin trying to score from 2nd.

Blackford looked terrible…there’s no nicer way to put it. He had decent velocity, but not much movement to go with very little control. Maestri started off rocky, but pitched solid in his relief. He entered the game with two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd and on his 2nd pitch gave up a double that was smashed to the gap in RF. His fastball stayed between 87-90 on the stadium gun. His off-speed pitches were very good.

As for the offense, a few players stuck out to me. Marquis Smith impressed me tonight, it was the 1st time I’ve seen him play but he looks to have a very solid bat. Colvin’s swing appears to be a lot smoother than last season. Although it is still a little bit long, it looked a lot better compared to when I saw him last season. Tony Thomas was the other hitter that stuck out. Although his stat sheet was not great for the night, I really liked the way he looked in the box. He seemed comfortable with a nice compact swing. He hit the ball hard a couple times, just right to people.

I hope to make quite a few more games in the next few weeks. I’m excited to see was Cashner can do at AA.

by TennCub85 on Jul 3, 2009 8:37 AM CDT reply actions

LEE

16 hits in 12 games for Lee, that’s fantastic. Can he stick at SS? Does anyone know if he can play 2b or 3b as well? I’d be surprised if he’s not in our top 5-7 prospects next season.

by gocubsgo2287 on Jul 3, 2009 10:38 AM CDT reply actions

He's the Korean Derek Jeter

or so they say. So I guess that means he’s fine in the 5-6 hole, but anything up the middle is going into center field. (rimshot) Seriously, he’s a shortstop and shouldn’t have to move.

I’m going to see him play in a couple of days, so I should have a better idea by then.

I actually had him in our top 5-7 prospects before this season.

by Josh Timmers on Jul 3, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions