Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 30

I'd say "Only in Albuquerque," but Omaha dropped 23 runs on Round Rock tonight.  Must be football season.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs detonated the Albuquerque Isotopes, 20-9 by hitting seven home runs.

Starter Mitch Atkins had some control problems, but allowed only two runs over six innings and improved his record to 7-3. Atkins gave up seven hits and five walks.  He walked two.

Left fielder Jason Dubois homered in both the first and second innings. The first inning homer was hit with a man on and the second inning home run was a solo shot. He now has 16 home runs on the season and 84 career Iowa home runs. Dubois also hit an RBI double in a 3 for 5 evening. Dubois scored three times and had four RBI.

He wasn't the only I-Cub with two homers, as first baseman Bryan LaHair hit it out in both the seventh and ninth innings. His first home run was with the bases empty and his second one had a man on. LaHair now has 23 home runs this season. Overall, LaHair went 3 for 6 with four RBI and three runs scored.

Second baseman Bobby Scales also hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his ninth. Scales went 3 for 5 with three RBI. He also reached on a hit-by-pitch. Right fielder Brad Snyder went 4 for 6 with two doubles and his 23rd home run. Snyder scored four times and had four RBI.

You know the balls are flying out when shortstop Matt Camp goes deep. His first inning solo home run was his second of the season and the third I-Cub home run of the first inning. Camp was 1 for 6.

I'll probably get an earful for not mentioning this first, but center fielder Sam Fuld had five hits tonight in seven at-bats. One of Fuld's five hits was a double and he scored three times.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Smith scored three times and batted two in. Finally, catcher Robinson Chirinos went 2 for 6.

Unfortunately, Memphis won their seventh straight game to keep Iowa's lead down to one-half game. Iowa plays a double-header tomorrow, but the first game is a resumption of a suspended game and Iowa currently leads that game 4-0 and they are still batting in the first inning.

Tennessee Smokies

Took the day off to celebrate their third straight divisional title.  That, and they're taking the bus to Jacksonville.

Daytona Cubs

Took the day off too.  They could have driven to Jacksonville to congratulate the Smokies, but I'm betting they just drove to Clearwater where they play tomorrow.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were cut down by the Clinton LumberKings, 7-2.

Starter Ryan Searle took the loss. He pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits, although only one of the three runs was earned.  Searle walked one and struck out five.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 3 with a walk. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4.

Kane County won, so Peoria's fell to 3.5 games back in the wild card chase. Peoria's elimination number is now two and their playoff hopes are on life-support.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to stun the Spokane Indians, 8-5.

Starting pitcher Dustin Fitzgerald gave up one run over five innings. Fitzgerald allowed three hits, including a solo home run. Fitzgerald walked one. He did not strike out a batter.

Steven Grife got the win in relief. Grife allowed one run on three hits in the one inning he pitched. He did not have a strikeout, nor did he walk anyone.

Catcher Micah Gibbs was 4 for 5 and scored once. Shortstop Elliot Soto went 3 for 5 with a double. Soto scored once and knocked two runs in.

Second baseman Pierre LePage had a triple in a 2 for 5 night. LePage scored once and had two RBI. Right fielder Jesus Morelli went 2 for 5 and scored once.

Third baseman Dustin Harrington was 2 for 4 with a double and he scored twice. Center fielder Kyung-Min Na went 2 for 3. He scored once and had one RBI

AZL Cubs

The rookie league team's season ended yesterday. They finished the season 26-29.