Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 24

by Josh Timmers on Jul 25, 2010 1:03 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

I should have mentioned last night that J.R. Mathes' win yesterday was his 39th as an I-Cub, which is a franchise record. Congratulations to Mathes.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs inched past the Round Rock Express, 4-2 in 13 innings.

Starter Thomas Diamond bounced back from his last start and threw six shutout innings tonight. He gave up only three hits. Diamond walked three and struck out six.

Carlos Zambrano relieved Diamond and also pitched well: two scoreless innings and only one hit, and that was a soft liner. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

The Cubs had a chance to end the game in both the ninth and the tenth, but they twice allowed an unearned run with two outs. David Cales allowed his first run of AAA in blowing the save in the ninth. Jeff Stevens gave up a run in the tenth after the Cubs had scored in the top of the inning. Both times the culprit was shortstop Darwin Barney. Barney made an error with one out in the ninth and with two out in the tenth. Barney's only made 13 errors now over almost 100 games, so he was just having a bad night.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx didn't allow a hit over the final three innings of the game to get the win. Bibens-Dirkx walked one and struck out two.

But all's well that ends well, and Brad Snyder hit a two-run homer in the top of the 13th that would turn out to be the game-winner. It was Snyder's 15th home run this year. Snyder entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 11th inning and went 1 for 2.

Micah Hoffpauir also homered, his 14th of the season. Hoffpauir was 1 for 5 with a walk before Snyder's home run. He scored the two times.

Center fielder Sam Fuld was 2 for 6 with an RBI. Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 5. Second baseman Bobby Scales was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

Rained out in Mississippi. Double-header tomorrow.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs won their seventh game in a row, crushing the St. Lucie Mets, 10-3.

Alberto Cabrera picked up the win by pitching six innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out nine.

Third baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 4 with his third home run. It was a two run homer in the sixth. Flaherty also hit a double and walked once. He scored three times.

Center fielder David Macias was 2 for 5 with a triple and three RBI. He scored once. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu hit a double in a 2 for 4 night. He also walked once and scored twice.

Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. DH Michael Brenly was 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored once and had one RBI.

With the win, the Daytona Cubs moved in to a tie for first place. The Cubs' three highest minor league teams are all in first place now.

Peoria Chiefs

And now for the team that isn't in first place. The Peoria Chiefs were thrown overboard by the Lake County Captains, 3-0.

Chiefs' starter Francisco Guzman got the loss despite really dominating the Captains. He retired the first 11 batters he faced, but then he hit a batter and allowed a two-run home run to the next batter. It was the only hit he allowed and they were the only two baserunners he allowed over 4.2 innings. Guzman struck out ten of the sixteen batters he faced.

Not only are the Chiefs not in first place, they're in last.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks had their pick-in-nick basket stolen by the Yakima Bears, 6-5 in 11 innings.

Starter Cameron Greathouse pitched four innings tonight and allowed two runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Aaron Kurcz took the loss. He entered the game in the 11th inning and gave up singles to the first two batters he faced. He got the next two batters with a foul out and a strikeout, but then he hit the next batter to load the bases. Finally, he hit the next batter he faced to end the game.

Matt Szczur kept his career hitting streak alive by going 2 for 5. He scored twice. Szczur has now gotten a hit in all 16 professional games he has played.

Left fielder Jesus Morelli was 2 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI. Second baseman Pierre LePage was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Angels, 7-2.

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Comments

Is there a !b for next year in the system?

That’s a question bugging me now. I don’t see D-Lee coming back, and the Hoff had a chance already. He seems to be a AAAA player. Snyder and Bryan LaHair have hit for power at AAA this year, and LaHair has played 30-40 games at 1b for the Mariners, but he’s 28 and still at AAA. I don’t see a big future right now in the organization for a replacement.
Sunday morning spitball question. Do you send Colvin to winter ball and see if he can play a passable 1b, realizing you probably can’t get out from under Fukudome’s contract, or Soriano’s?
Also, how long for Szcsur in Boise? He seems to really have that league figured out.

by Nibbles on Jul 25, 2010 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

No on Colvin at 1st base

The never ending discussion but Colvin’s value is in the outfield. His bat isn’t a first base bat. In addition, he still has problems in the outfield. Let him continue to play and learn the outfield. Fukudome is an expensive 4th outfielder at this point.

1st base next year is Lee or a new acquisition.

by rlpete on Jul 25, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

It won't be Derrek Lee.

My sense is that the Cubs let him walk after the season.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jul 25, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Matt Stairs

Will only be 43 next season.

Do you get the sense that the Cubs will try to enter the Adrian Gonzalez sweepstakes?

by Josh Timmers on Jul 25, 2010 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

No.

Because I think Gonzalez isn’t going anywhere.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jul 25, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

You think

the Padres are going to sign him long-term?

by Josh Timmers on Jul 25, 2010 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Why is his bat not a 1st base bat?

He now has 15 bombs in part time duty. So he could hit 25 in a full time role. Not among the elite but not bad either. He needs to get the OBP up but otherwise he would be acceptable.

To me the bigger question is the defense. Apparently he played 1B growing up and started there in college. They moved him to the OF to take advantage of his speed and athleticism. I don’t think we are talking Jake Fox on defense here so he would probably be at least league average if he was moved there.

IMO- he would be fine there. I think this move should be seriously considered by the Cubs.

Gonzo should not be a target. You would have to gut the system to get him. No way you do this unless it is a trade with an extension of at least 3 years.

by CA Cub Fan on Jul 25, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

good question

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jul 26, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

What if the Cubs let DLee go and get a strong RF

what do you suggest the team with Colvin then?

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jul 26, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

No

Szczur is going back to Villanova in about two weeks, so no more than two week for him in Boise. The Cubs promoted Jeff Samardzija for two starts in Peoria in a similar situation in 2006, so it’s possible they send him to Peoria for five or six games before he leaves.

by Josh Timmers on Jul 25, 2010 11:53 AM CDT reply actions