Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 9

I'm just going to say that if the Blackhawks can win the Stanley Cup, the Cubs can win the World Series. Congrats to the Hawks. Go crazy, all you Hawks fans. (But be responsible.)

The draft finished today, but I haven't had time to digest it yet. I hope to get a recap done in the next couple of days. But in case you were maybe watching something other than the Cubs game tonight (and I can't understand why you would be) and missed the note from Len Kasper, the Cubs drafted Benito Santiago Jr. in the 31st round, son of the former Cub. And now I really feel old.

The Iowa Cubs had the night off. Otherwise, it's another "everyone wins" night!

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies dimmed the Huntsville Stars, 4-2.

Hung-Wen Chen had a great start tonight. He went seven innings and allowed only one run on two hits. Chen struck out eight and didn't walk anyone.  He did hit a batter.  Chen improved his record to 6-5.

David Cales got his fifth save the hard way. He entered the game with the bases loaded and one out and got a strikeout and a fly out to end the game.

Brandon Guyer hit his second home run of the year in the fifth inning with a man on. Otherwise, Guyer was 1 for 4.

Josh Vitters has been struggling lately, but tonight he was 2 for 3 with two RBI. First baseman Blake Lalli went 2 for 2 with two walks. Lalli scored twice.

West Tennessee lost, so the Smokies' lead in the division increased to 1.5 games.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs mauled the Brevard County Manatees, 6-2.

Chris Rusin had a nice start tonight to even his record at 2-2. Rusin went 6.1 innings, allowing only one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Good night for #1 draft picks. Brett Jackson hit a grand slam for the D-Cubs tonight. Jackson was 2 for 3 with a walk and five RBI. He scored twice and also stole a base. He now has three home runs this season and ten stolen bases.

Left fielder Jose Valdez was 2 for 2 with two walks and a stolen base. He scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs topped the Lansing Lugnuts, 2-1 in ten innings.

Starter Robert Whitenack pitched five shutout innings. He gave up four hits and a walk. Whitenack struck out three.

Steven Grife pitched the top of the ninth and struck out all three batters he faced, swinging. It was Grife's third win of the year.

Left fielder Nelson Perez hit a solo home to tie the game in the seventh inning. It was Perez's second home run of the year and first for the Chiefs. Perez was 1 for 4.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 3 with two walks. He scored the winning run after DJ Fitzgerald beat out the throw to first base on a possible double play that would have ended the inning.

Third baseman Matt Cerda was 0 for 0 with five walks. Only one of the five walks was intentional.