Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 16

Yesterday, the Peoria Chiefs had the greatest minor league promotion ever: Monkeys riding dogs and herding sheep. This is yet another reason why minor league baseball is more fun than major league baseball.

I'm sorry, but all of this tonight seems small compared to sheep-herding monkeys on dogs.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs shut out the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 4-0.

Jeff Samardzija started tonight and picked up the win with five shutout innings. Samardzija allowed only two hits. He did walk four batters, however, and struck out three.  Samardzija's record in AAA is now 6-1.

First baseman Bryan LaHair hit his 11th homer of the year in the third inning. LaHair was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and just the one RBI.

Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored once and knocked one in. Shortstop Darwin Barney went 2 for 5 and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies just keep on rolling as they blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts, 8-6 on the way to winning their fourth game in a row.

Starter Chris Carpenter didn't allow a run, but he only lasted four innings so he did not get the win. Carpenter allowed three hits. He walked four and struck out four.

Ryan Buchter got the win because Carpenter didn't go five. He allowed one run over two innings. He gave up two hits, including a solo home run. He didn't walk anyone and fanned two.  Buchter is a perfect 7-0 on the year.

Third baseman Josh Vitters busted out tonight with two doubles and a home run in a 3 for 5 game. It was Vitters's seventh home run for Tennessee. He had five RBI tonight.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 4 with a double and a walk.  Campana had one RBI, crossed the plate twice and stole his 29th base of the year.

First baseman Blake Lalli went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Left fielder Brandon Guyer hit two doubles in a 2 for 3 game. He also walked once. Guyer scored twice and had one RBI. Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs couldn't believe they lost to the Ft. Myers Miracle, 7-3.

Starter Brooks Raley gave up only an unearned run in four innings. Raley gave up three hits. He walked three and struck out two.

Chris Siegfried gave up a three-run home run in the sixth inning to take the loss. He was credited with 2.1 innings pitched and allowing four hits.  He did not walk anyone and struck out one.

Shortstop Junior Lake hit a solo home run in the third inning, his fourth on the year. Lake was 1 for 4. Michael Brenly was 1 for 4, extending his hit streak to 15 games.

Peoria Chiefs

Motivated by the monkeys riding dogs and herding sheep on their field after last night's game, the Peoria Chiefs came from behind to sweep the Dayton Dragons, 10-8.

Ryan Searle's start only lasted four innings. He got knocked around for six runs on six hits, although one of the six runs was unearned. He walked three and struck out eight.

Jordan Latham got the win with two innings of hitless relief. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. Corey Martin got his first Midwest League save. He pitched the ninth and only allowed a two-out walk. Martin struck out one.

The Chiefs comeback was paced by shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, who went 5 for 5 tonight. He scored three times and had three RBI.

Second baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 4 with a walk. He had two RBI and scored once. Left fielder Nelson Perez was 3 for 5 with two doubles. Perez scored twice.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks lost to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 3-2 in 11 innings.

Austin Kirk entered the game to start the fifth inning and pitched five shutout innings. Kirk allowed only one hit. He walked two and struck out an impressive nine Volcano batters.

Carlos E. Rojas relieved Kirk and took the loss. Rojas pitched 1+ innings, allowing one run on two hits. He did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Right fielder Alvaro Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a run scored. Second baseman Pierre LePage was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

DH Matt Szczur was 2 for 5 with a double. He's slumping.

AZL Cubs

Day off.