Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 1

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 1:38 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

The most amazing game of the year tonight in Albuquerque, aided by a ball hit by pinch-hitter James Adduci that literally ripped right through the webbing of the glove of the Isotopes third baseman.

If you haven't heard, Darwin Barney and Brad Snyder were named to the All-PCL team. Robinson Chirinos, Tony Campana and Brandon Guyer were named to the Southern League Post-Season All-Star team and Alvaro Ramirez and Pierre LePage were named Northwest League All-Stars.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs scored nine runs in the ninth inning to stun the Albuquerque Isotopes, 15-13.

It was a rough start for Jay Jackson. Jackson lasted only four innings and allowed nine runs on ten hits. Two of the nine runs were unearned. Jackson did walk only one and he struck out six.

Jake Muyco relieved Jackson and while he didn't pitch that well, allowing four runs over 3.1 innings, he did eat up some innings and go 2 for 2 at the plate. (I can't believe I'm mentioning a relief pitcher because of what he did at the plate.)

Justin Berg got the win in relief by getting the final two outs of the eighth inning. One of his outs was a strikeout.

Jeff Stevens pitched the ninth inning and got his ninth save. He allowed only one single. He struck out one Isotope.

The ninth inning comeback was keyed by a pair of three-run home runs. The first was by left fielder Jason Dubois. It was actually Dubois' second three-run home run of the game, as he had earlier hit one in the seventh inning. Dubois was 3 for 6 with six RBI. He has 18 homers this season and 86 in his Iowa career. The Iowa record is 90.

The killing blow was launched by third baseman Marquez Smith, whose line-drive home run in the ninth gave the I-Cubs the lead. It was Smith's 17th home run this year for Iowa. Smith went 2 for 5 with a walk. He had four total RBI and he crossed the plate three times.

Right fielder Brad Snyder had two doubles in a 2 for 6 effort. Snyder scored once and batted one in. First baseman Bryan LaHair was 2 for 6 with a run scored.

Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 5 with a double. He also stole his first base of the season. Robinson scored once and had one RBI.

Center fielder Sam Fuld was 1 for 3 with three walks. Fuld scored three times, including the go-ahead run on Smith's home run, and had one RBI. Fuld stole one base. He was so good, I'm not even going to mention that he made his first error of the season. But if I did, I'd say that making your first error of the season on September 1st is pretty impressive.

It was a huge win as Memphis also won, meaning the I-Cubs keep their one game lead in the American North division of the Pacific Coast League. The two teams play five more games, including four against each other in Des Moines. As far as I can tell, Memphis holds the tiebreaker between the two teams, so keeping the one game lead is huge going into the final four game series.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies blotted out the Jacksonville Suns, 9-4. (Or maybe it was the rain, as this game had a 1:02 rain delay)

Jeremy Papelbon started and pitched four innings before the rain came. He allowed three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out three.

Aaron Shafer got the win in relief. Shafer pitched two innings and the only baserunner he allowed was by an error. He erased him in a double play. Shafer struck out two.

Center fielder Brett Jackson hit a three run home run in the fourth inning. It was his sixth for Tennessee and 12th overall.

Left fielder Brandon Guyer was 3 for 5 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Catcher Mark Reed was promoted from Daytona and he was 2 for 3 with two walks. Reed scored once and had two RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs swept a double-header from the Clearwater Threshers, 2-0 and 5-2.

The first game was all Alberto Cabrera. Cabrera threw a seven-inning shutout, allowing only five hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out six.

Center fielder Evan Crawford was 2 for 2 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Mario Mercedes was 2 for 3. DH Michael Brenly went 2 for 3 with a double.

The second game was started by Dae-Eun Rhee, who lasted 3.1 innings and allowed two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Chris Siegfried got the win with 2.1 innings of relief. Siegfried did not allow a run and gave up two hits. Siegfried did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Alex Maestri got his first save. He pitched 1.1 innings and gave up one hit. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

First baseman Jake Opitz was 1 for 2 with a triple and a walk. He scored twice.

Tampa lost, so Daytona picked up 1.5 games on the Yankees. They now trail Tampa by two with four games to play.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were shut out by the Kane County Cougars, 7-0.

Carlos Silva made a rehab start tonight and it didn't go too well. Silva was sharp for the first three innings, but he ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. Silva went 4.2 innings and allowed five runs on six hits. Silva walked two and struck out four.

DH Nelson Perez was 2 for 3.

The loss puts the Chiefs' backs up against the wall, as a loss to Kane County in either of the next two games will eliminate them from the playoff hunt.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks banged out 18 hits as they downed the Spokane Indians, 11-2.

Cameron Greathouse pitched six shutout innings to get the win. Greathouse allowed only three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five.

Third baseman Dustin Harrington was a perfect 5 for 5 tonight with a double and a triple. Harrington had one RBI and scored three times.

Second baseman Pierre LePage was 3 for 5 with two doubles. He scored twice and had two RBI. Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 6. He scored once and had three RBI.

Left fielder Cody Shields had two doubles in a 2 for 5 night. Shields scored once and had one RBI. DH Pin-Chieh Chen went 2 for 5 with an RBI.

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The most amusing thing about the Iowa game...

…is the fact that Memphis’s milb.com homepage ran a headline that said “Redbirds tie for first!” after their win. It was most likely written before the epic 9th inning rally, when it looked like the I-Cubs were on their way to a loss.

by Overmeyer on Sep 2, 2010 2:01 AM CDT reply actions

LHP Cam Greathouse

He struck out five today, actually.

I’m itching to find information on him since he joined Boise. His scouting report when the Cubs signed him was that he was a two-way player with a good curve and a high 80s fastball, but that his stuff could improve with a full-time focus on pitching. I’d love to know how he’s looked in person.

Then again, the Cubs have a really spotty record when it comes to developing LHPs in recent years (Donald Veal, Rich Hill, Mark Pawelek, Sean Marshall, Renyel Pinto, Justin Jones, Andy Sisco, Luke Hagerty), but it would be nice to see them get that turned around with guys like Greathouse, Harman, and Rusin.

by Outshined_One on Sep 2, 2010 2:43 AM CDT reply actions

Corrected

Thank you.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 3:43 AM CDT up reply actions

i saw greathouse ..

… last night, and Spokane was no match for him. He seemed to spot his fastball well, and he kept them off balance, especially with two strikes.

by billy pilgrim on Sep 2, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info

Sounds like he had a great night. How was his off-speed stuff, or couldn’t you tell?

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

His off speed stuff

seemed to be solid, but truthfully it was hard to tell. I guess the best indication is that he had plenty of guys out in front of the pitch. The thing that impressed me most is that he knew when and where to go to the off speed stuff. He seemed smart, but then again, I haven’t seen him throw a lot, so sample size and all that.

by billy pilgrim on Sep 2, 2010 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

also ...

… thanks a bunch Josh for all you do. I usually lurk, so I’ll take this chance to thank you for the great work you provide. It’s great stuff and much appreciated.

by billy pilgrim on Sep 2, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

An interesting move by Iowa

Trailing by 1 run in the 9th and with 1 out, Sandberg called for a double steal and it was successful. Last year Iowa had 86 HR all season. This year they have 150 with 5 games left. They’ve also scored more than 100 runs more than last year.

Memphis and Iowa are tied in their season series 6-6.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Sep 2, 2010 3:42 AM CDT reply actions

It was a gutsy call

Ended up making no difference because Smith homered anyway, unless you believe the double steal rattled the pitcher, Jon Link. Clearly making a guy throw with the tying run on third and the winning run on second as opposed to second and first makes him pitch differently.

But you’d need to be darn sure you were going to make it in that situation. Perhaps Ryno saw something.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 3:53 AM CDT up reply actions

After watching the Cubs

seldom push the envelope under Lou, it appealed to my sense of proactive managing. I haven’t watched Iowa much this year but yesterday I listened to their comeback in the 2nd game of the DH. In the late innings they stole two bases to set up the winning runs. Perhaps the Isotope catcher is poor but then I look at the Cubs fail to test catchers like Doumit with a 7% success rate and shake my head. BTW, I thing having Dernier at 1st is an excellent idea.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Sep 2, 2010 4:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Good points

Cubs need to run. Yes we need people with good skills, but as you mentioned with a catcher like Doumit Cubs should run.

by Grockcubs on Sep 2, 2010 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions

not just run but find the weakness and force it

running is about taking the opportunity or making the opportunity and knowing the situation and opposition.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Sep 2, 2010 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope Sandberg can bring this

“never say die” attitude to Chicago. Iowa has done this before. You have to believe to get this kind of comeback. Darwin Barney said it best (who has played at a lot of levels for Ryno), “Winning is expected”. Sounds like a winner to me!

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Sep 2, 2010 8:31 AM CDT reply actions

He picked a good day to do it

Apparently Jim Hendry was in the stands last night watching the game. He’s got to be impressed the way the I-Cubs didn’t quit.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

No 1-Game Playoffs in Minors

There aren’t any 1-game playoffs in the minors. Actually, the situation this season between Iowa and Memphis would work out fine for a 1-game playoff, if they finished tied. The AAA Redbirds finish the regular season in Des Moines. If they had 1-game playoffs, the Redbirds could simply play the I-Cubs at Principal Park in a 1-game playoff on Tuesday. The American North champion hosts the first two games of the PCL American Conference Championship Series, which starts Wednesday in Des Moines or Memphis. At least, they will have played the same number of games. It doesn’t happen often, but there have been minor league teams that have lost pennant races by a half-game.

In the majors because of strike-shortened seasons, the Red Sox lost the AL East to the Tigers by a half-game in 1972. In 1981, the Reds lost to the Dodgers in the first half of the NL West by a half-game, and the Cardinals lost to the Expos in the NL East in the second half by a half-game.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Sep 2, 2010 11:37 AM CDT reply actions

In reality, you're correct

Technically, the PCL plays a one-game playoff if the top three tie-breakers are still tied. Don’t think it’s ever happened.

As far as I can tell, Iowa and Memphis have split the season series between each other so far, so if they split the final four games, they would end up tied on that tiebreaker. The next tiebreaker is divisional record, and there Memphis has an edge on Iowa. The final tiebreaker is conference record.

Now it’s possible I counted wrong on Memphis versus Iowa head-to-head.. I’m pretty sure Memphis has the divisional record edge on Iowa though.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

BTW, I counted correctly

The I-Cubs have an article up today explaining that the Redbirds do have the tie-break based on the better divisional record.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Small, small edit Josh.

You have (bolds added by me):

The ninth inning comeback was keyed by a pair of two-run home runs. The first was by left fielder Jason Dubois. It was actually Dubois’ second three-run home run of the game, as he had earlier hit one in the seventh inning.

So you could just strike the run label (e.g., “keyed by a pair of big HRs”) for the 9th inning HRs… or something more creative that you could come up with! Tiny little thing… but caused me to read it twice and check the box to figure out what was up.

Thanks for all the updates all season long!

Shut up Joe Morgan.

by fsuapollo on Sep 2, 2010 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

Gosh, I had a bad night

That happens when I have a late game with a ton of different numbers coming at me. Corrected.

Yes, there were two three-run home runs in the ninth inning. I was following the game on Gameday until Dubois hit the first one. When that happened, I tuned in to the radio broadcast on the net.

I want to make clear what happened on the error on Adduci’s ball. The ball literally broke the webbing on the third baseman’s glove and went into left field. He got his glove on it and his glove broke.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

OT: Diamond Jaxx Changing Nickname

West Tenn has renewed with Seattle for two more seasons. The team will be changing its nickname next season. The new name won’t be revealed until Monday. How about the Blue Suede Shoes in honor of Carl Perkins?

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Sep 2, 2010 11:56 AM CDT reply actions

Anything but Diamond Jaxx

Something short. How about the Ms?

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Railroaders, Blue Jays, and Generals

Those were the names of the teams Jackson, TN, had in the old Kitty League. I don’t think they would call the team the “Winks” for Wink Martindale.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Sep 2, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Kind of like

Railroaders.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Josh thinking

of new headlines.

Run out on a rail, etc…

by timh815 on Sep 2, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

That's what I was thinking.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 2, 2010 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Railroaders

That would be a nice name to honor the legendary Casey Jones. I’ve never liked the name Diamond Jaxx anyway. I still hate that the AAA team in Memphis is not called the Chicks. Chicks was up there with the Lookouts and Barons as traditional minor league nicknames.

I don’t know why the AAA team of St. Louis always seems to be called the Redbirds, whether they are in Springfield, IL, Louisville, or Memphis. At least, the team isn’t called the Cardinals. Because of the once-great, now deader than a doornail dormant college basketball rivalry between Memphis State (yes, Memphis State back in the 1970’s and 1980’s) and the Louisville Cardinals, I don’t think Cardinals would have gone over well as the nickname.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Sep 2, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Ryno is aggressive as a manager

I do like that. Both of the I-Cubs games I went to this year I saw multiple players taking extra bases. You can tell they are looking to do it, pressuring the defense. Not sure if that would translate to the leadfooted Cubs if Ryno manages in Chicago next year.

by Nibbles on Sep 2, 2010 11:03 PM CDT reply actions