Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 16

Lots of going yard tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs slowed down the Round Rock Express, 3-2.

Mitch Atkins came back from sitting on the bench at Wrigley for a few days to turn in a five-inning start tonight. Atkins allowed only one run on four hits. He walked two and fanned four.

John Gaub picked up his third win in relief. Gaub had two shutout innings, allowing a hit and a walk. He whiffed two.

Brian Schlitter pitched 1.1 innings for save number ten. He did allow two hits, but he didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

First baseman Bryan LaHair  and left fielder Jason Dubois hit back-to-back solo jacks in the sixth inning to put the Cubs in the lead for good. LaHair was 2 for 4 and Dubois was 1 for 4.

For those of you as obsessed with Dubois' Crash Davis-like pursuit of the Iowa franchise HR record as I am, Dubois now has 75 career Iowa home runs, fifteen short of the record.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies hit six home runs on the way to bludgeoning the Mobile Bay Bears, 13-5.

Starter Alberto Cabrera went 4.2 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. He walked four and struck out two. He left the game with the bases loaded with two outs and the score 4-3. Oswaldo Martinez then struck out the only batter he faced to end the threat. He was awarded the win as Cabrera didn't go five innings. He certainly deserved it more than Cabrera.

Center fielder Brandon Guyer hit two solo home runs tonight. Guyer was 3 for 5 with a walk, three runs scored and just the two RBI. Guyer now has five HRs this season.

Right fielder Russell Canzler hit a three-run homer in the third inning that gave the Smokies the lead for good. Canzler was 2 for 4. He now has seven home runs this season.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his second home run for Tennessee, a two-run shot in the seventh. Vitters was 2 for 4 with a walk. Vitters scored twice and had three RBI.

Marwin Gonzalez hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth, his third of the campaign. He stayed in the game and went 1 for 2.  The home run parade ended with second baseman Tony Thomas, who hit a three-run blast in the ninth. It was his third on the year and he went 1 for 5 on the night.

Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were shot down by the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 4-3 in ten innings.

Starter Chris Rusin went seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits. One of the runs allowed was unearned. He walked one and struck out four.

Chris Siegfried took the loss when he gave up a two-run homer in the top of the tenth. Siegfried pitched 2.2 innings and gave up the two runs on two hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Center fielder Brett Jackson stayed hot, going 2 for 5 with two doubles. Jackson scored once and had one RBI.

Second baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Catcher Luis Flores was 2 for 4 with a double.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs beat the Burlington Bees, 12-5.

If Trey McNutt faced Chuck Norris, Chuck would be crying like a little girl. Tonight McNutt pitched five shutout innings and gave up one measly single. He sent ten Bees down on strikes and didn't walk any of them.

McNutt is now 6-0. I don't think he's being challenged by the Midwest League anymore.

No home runs for the Chiefs, but 15 hits. DH Nelson Perez was 3 for 5 with two doubles. Perez had two RBI and scored once. Right fielder Francisco Guzman was 3 for 5 with and RBI.

Left fielder DJ Fitzgerald was 2 for 3 with two walk, a stolen base and three runs scored. Third baseman Charles Thomas was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 6 with two runs scored and two RBI. Center fielder Logan Watkins had a double and two walks in a 2 for 4 game. He also scored once and had one RBI.