Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 6

I'm pretty sure that Oneri Fleita hates me.

Ryne Sandberg was suspended three games for bumping an umpire. No, that's not why I think Fleita hates me.

Iowa Cubs

Four Cub pitchers combined to shut out the New Orleans Zephyrs, 1-0.

Jose Ascanio threw the first three innings and while he only allowed two hits, he did have some control problems. Ascanio walked four and hit one batter. He struck out three.

Jeremy Papelbon pitched the next 1.1 innings. He allowed two hits and struck out one. Papelbon was followed by Vince Perkins, who was awarded the win with 2.2 innings pitched, also allowing two hits and striking out one.

Finally, Jeff Stevens pitched two perfect innings to pick up his second save. Stevens struck out two.

Second baseman Luis Rivas was 2 for 4 with an RBI double. Left fielder Jason Dubois was 2 for 2 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies three-game winning streak came to an end as they were swamped by the Carolina Mudcats, 8-1.

Hung-Wen Chen took the loss tonight as he allowed four runs, three of which were earned, in six innings. He gave up ten hits, including one home run. He only walked one and struck out three.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 1 for 2 with two walks. He scored the lone Smokies run.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to demoralize the Dunedin Blue Jays, 4-3.

Ryan Searle has his best start in almost a month as he allowed only one run on three hits over five innings. Searle walked one and struck out three.

Craig Muschko pitched the final four innings and picked up the win. He allowed two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer went 4 for 5 tonight with the walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Guyer also scored once and stole a base.

Shortstop Starlin Castro had a double in a 3 for 5 game. Castro had two RBI and scored the winning run on Guyer's single.

DH Jake Opitz was 2 for 5. Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs extinguished the Beloit Snappers, 7-2.

Justin Bristow pitched the first five and allowed only one run on two hits. He walked two and struck out one.

See, here's why I think Fleita hates me. Jim Hendry goes and trades away my nemisis, Alberto Alburquerque. So what does Fleita do? He goes and signs Austin Bibens-Dirkx out of the independent Golden Baseball League.  I don't know, maybe Fleita didn't sign him--maybe Hendry did that too. Or Randy Bush.  But it had to have been Fleita who sent him to Peoria. Anway, ABD (as he's going to be known around here) got the win by pitching four innings or relief, allowing one run on four hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Third baseman Josh Harrison was 4 for 5 with a triple. Harrison stole two bases, scored twice and had three RBI. He also has an easy name to spell.

First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Second baseman Derrick Fitzgerald was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Catcher Mario Mercedes was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Boise Hawks

It's two in a row for the Hawks as they polished off the Eugene Emeralds, 5-4.

Robert Hernandez had a good start tonight, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. The best news was that he struck out six and didn't walk anyone.

Josh Lansford got the win with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. He surrendered one hit and one walk while striking out one--although that batter reached first on a wild pitch.

Mike Perconte got his second save with two innings of perfect relief.  Perconte struck out three.

Second baseman Logan Watkins had two doubles and a walk in four trips to the plate. Watkins scored once.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a triple. Jackson scored once and had two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 5-3.