Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 20

To honor Lou Piniella's retirement, the entire Cubs minor league system decided to kick butt and take names. Everybody won: Iowa even managed to win twice, winning one for Peoria, who had the day off.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs swept a double-header from the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 9-2 and 4-3.

In the first game, Casey Coleman threw a seven-inning complete game, giving up the two runs on seven hits. He walked one and didn't strike out anyone.

Left fielder Bryan LaHair and first baseman Micah Hoffpauir both hit two home runs in the first game. Hoffpauir and LaHair had identical lines in game one: 2 for 3 with two home runs and three RBI.  LaHair has 13 homers this year and Hoffpauir 12.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

In game two, Hung-Wen Chen picked up his first career AAA win. Chen gave up three runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Scott Maine threw a scoreless seventh inning to get his third save. Maine walked one, but allowed no hits. He did not have a strike out.

Fuld continued his hot hitting in game two by hitting his fourth home run of the season. Fuld was 1 for 3 with two RBI. Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 2 with a double. He had one RBI and scored once.

Ryno's boys are now 53-44 and a game and a half ahead of Nashville for first place in their division.

Tennessee Smokies

Marwin Gonzalez sent the Smoky faithful home happy with a walk-off RBI single and the Smokies came from behind to beat the Montgomery Biscuits, 4-3.

Starter Marcos Mateo pitched three innings and allowed only one baserunner. Unfortunately, it was a solo home run. Mateo struck out four.

Aaron Shafer threw two shutout innings to get the win in relief. The only baserunnner Shafer allowed reached on an error. Shafer struck out four.

Left fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 and scored twice, including the winning run. He also stole his 14th base of the year.

Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI. Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

The Smokies second-half record is 14-12, and they are a game up on Carolina for first in their division. The Smokies already won the first half title, of course.  All winning the second half gets them is an additional home game in the first round of the Southern League playoffs.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs made crab cakes out of the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 6-2.

Starter Trey McNutt left the game after 1.2 innings because of a blister. (Thanks to Outshined_One for the link to the story.) He allowed one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Alex Maestri got the win in relief. Maestri allowed one run on two hits over 2.1 innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

David Patton really earned his second save tonight, throwing three perfect . Patton struck out three.

The D-Cubs pounded out 16 hits tonight. Third baseman DJ LeMahieu was 3 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. Second baseman Ryan Flaherty had a double in a 2 for 5 game. He also scored once and batted one in.

First baseman Rebel Ridling went 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Mark Reed went 2 for 3 with a walk and he also scored once. Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

DH Michael Brenly extended his hitting streak to 19 games by going 3 for 5. Over the past 24 games, Brenly has been hitting .380.

Daytona is 15-10, two games behind Tampa and tied for second in the FSL North division.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs' record in 9-13. They are in last place in their division, but only six games behind first place Kane County.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks shut out the Spokane Indians, 3-0.

Juan Yasser Serrano pitched five innings and improved his record to 4-0. He allowed three hits and issued one walk. He struck out two.

Aaron Kurcz got his fourth save with two innings of relief. He hit a batter, but erased him in a double play so he faced the minimum for two innings. Kurcz struck out four.

Center fielder Kyung-Min Na was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Catcher Jeff Vigurs went 2 for 3 with a walk and a double. Right fielder Alvaro Ramirez was 2 for 4.

The Hawks are 18-14 and have a half game lead in their division. Their magic number to clinch the first half title is seven. Yes, the Northwest League decided to go to split seasons this year.

AZL Cubs

Sunk the Mariners, 9-8.