Cubs Minor League Wrap--April 16

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs silenced the Nashville Sounds, 7-4 in 11 innings. It was their third straight win since Ted Lilly pitched in Des Moines.

Starting pitcher Casey Coleman threw an effective seven innings tonight.  He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk. Coleman struck out two.

He didn't get the win, however, because Brian Schlitter blew the save. Schlitter threw a scoreless eighth inning, but gave up two runs in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Schlitter's final line was two runs on three hits over two innings. Schlitter walked one and struck out three. He also hit a batter.

Blake Parker pitched 1.2 innings and got the win. He gave up one hit and two walks while striking out two. He got into trouble in the bottom of the 11th and John Gaub entered the game with two on and two out in the inning. Gaub struck out Norris Hopper to get his first save of the year.

Shortstop Darwin Barney broke the tie in the top of the 11th with an RBI single. Barney was 2 for 6 with two runs scored and the RBI.

Left fielder Jason Dubois hit his fourth home run of the year as he chases the I-Cub career home run record. It was a solo home run in the fifth inning. Dubois was 2 for 5 with a walk.

Catcher Chris Robinson also hit a home run tonight. The two-run home run was his first of the year. Robinson was 1 for 2 with two walks. He scored twice and had the two RBI. Second baseman Bobby Scales had two doubles in a 2 for 5 evening. Scales had two RBI. Right fielder Micah Hoffpauir was 2 for 6.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were extinguished by the Chattanooga Lookouts, 11-7.

Starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx had a rough evening. He was hit on his right arm with a thrown ball during infield practice before the game. Despite the swelling, Bibens-Dirkx said he felt fine and started the game. He only lasted one inning before manager Bill Dancy pulled him. He gave up what was described as a "towering 430-foot home run" that put the Smokies down 3-0. He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in the first. He didn't strike anyone out.

Center fielder Tony Campana came a home run short of the cycle in a 3 for 6 night. Campana scored twice and had one RBI. Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Second baseman Tony Thomas entered the game during a sixth inning double switch and went 2 for 2 with a double and a walk. Thomas scored once and had two RBI. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Finally, the Starlin Castro watch continues. Castro was 2 for 5 with a double and a sac fly.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were damned by the Tampa Yankees, 8-4.

Starter Ryan Searle took the loss. He allowed three runs on four hits over five innings. Searle walked one and struck out two.

Daytona was down 8-1 in the ninth inning tonight and actually brought the tying run to the plate, but right fielder Kyler Burke struck out with the bases loaded. It was a tough night for Burke who went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 5. DH Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez was 3 for 4 with two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs shucked the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 7-4.

Starter Trey McNutt got the win with a strong six-inning start. McNutt allowed only one run on four hits and a walk. He struck out five.

In a reverse of the Daytona game, the Chiefs entered the bottom of the ninth with a 7-1 lead. However, pitcher Corey Martin got into trouble and the tying run got as close as the on-deck circle before Jordan Latham came in to get the final out. It was Latham's fourth save of the young season.

The Chiefs had five RBI tonight and all five came off the bat of DH Justin Bour. Bour hit a three-run double in the first and a two-run double in the fifth. Bour went 2 for 4 with a walk.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee continues to put it together as he was 2 for 4 with his second steal of the year. Lee scored two runs. Center fielder Jose Valdez went 3 for 5 with his sixth steal of the young season. Valdez also scored twice.