Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 4

by Josh Timmers on Sep 4, 2010 11:47 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go!/ Hey Des Moines, whaddya say?/ The Cubs are going to win today!

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs tarred and feathered the Memphis Redbirds, 8-5.

Starter Mitch Atkins was strong tonight as he pitched the I-Cubs to within a game of a division title. Atkins went six innings and allowed four runs, but only two of those four runs were earned. He gave up seven hits, including a solo home run. Atkins did not walk anyone and struck out six. The win improved Atkins' record to 8-3.

Second baseman Bobby Scales hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning that gave Iowa the lead for good. It was Scales tenth home run this year. Scales was 2 for 3 with a walk and four RBI total.

Center fielder James Adduci went 3 for 5 and stole two bases. Adduci scored twice.

Right fielder Brad Snyder and left fielde Jason Dubois were both 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Snyder scored twice and Dubois scored once. Snyder also stole a base. Dubois didn't get credit for a stolen base because he was going on ball four in the sixth inning, but he made it to third base when the Redbirds catcher threw the ball into center field.

Jeff Samardzija takes to mound tomorrow at 1:05 Central as the Iowa Cubs look to clinch the PCL American North Division title. The Redbirds will send Oneli Perez to the mound. Iowa needs to win either on Sunday or Monday to win the title.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies deep-fried the Carolina Mudcats, 10-5.

Ryan Buchter took the mound for his first start of the season and struggled, allowing four runs on six hits over three innings. Buchter walked two and struck out one.

Kyle Smit improved his record to 5-1 since coming over from the Dodgers. He pitched one shutout inning, allowing two hits. He did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Blake Parker got his fifth save for the Smokies with two scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out four.

Third baseman Russ Canzler had five RBI by going 3 for 5 with two doubles.

Catcher Steve Clevenger hit his fifth homer of the year, a solo home run in the second inning. Clevenger went 1 for 4 with a walk.

Left fielder Brandon Guyer is so hot right now, he sets off sprinkler systems. Tonight he went 3 for 3 with a double and two walks. He also stole two bases, giving him 29 on the season. Guyer scored three times. His triple slash stats since the all-star break? .420/.458/.704.

Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Second baseman David Macias went 2 for 4 with a double. He crossed home twice.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs fell short against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-1. The loss officially eliminates Daytona from the post-season.

Oswaldo Martinez started and threw three innings of no-hit baseball. Unfortunately, he took the loss because he allowed one run on two walks and a runner scored from second on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. (I don't know how that happened. I was paying attention to Iowa.) Martinez struck out three.

Right fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 4. Second baseman Ryan Flaherty had a double and a walk in a 1 for 3 game. He also had Daytona's lone RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chief put the Quad City River Bandits behind bars, 8-2.

Starter Ryan Searle improved his record with Peoria to 7-8 by going five innings and allowing two runs on two hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Most of the Chiefs offense came from third baseman Matt Cerda, who was 5 for 5 with three doubles tonight. Cerda had three RBI and scored twice.

Right fielder Nelson Perez hit his 11th home run for the Chiefs. It was a solo home run in the third inning. Perez was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Left fielder D.J. Fitzgerald was 2 for 4 with a triple and a walk. Fitzgerald scored once and had one RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks lost to the Yakima Bears, 3-2.

The Hawks lost tonight without allowing an earned run. Starter Eric Jokisch pitched the first four innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Dustin Fitzgerald got the loss in relief. He allowed two unearned runs on three hits over four innings. Fitzgerald walked one and struck out three.

Center fielder Cody Shields was 1 for 4 with a double.

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Comments

If the Iowa Cubs go to the playoffs

they’ll play OK City. Prior will make his debut for them tomorrow. wouldn’t it be interesting if we faced him in the playoffs. He had some excellent numbers in the Northern league, but in only 7 innings. Also, Chad Tracey leads OKC in HR. I might fly up to OKC when they play. I’ll finally have an opportunity to wear my Prior shirt. Maybe he’ll autograph it.

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

by tharr on Sep 5, 2010 1:10 AM CDT reply actions

That's not the Chad Tracy who played for the Cubs.

The Chad Tracy who is with OKC is this guy, a prospect 1B/OF in the Rangers organization. Baseball-reference says he was born in the Chicago suburbs, but I don’t know if he actually grew up in the area or not.

Is Prior supposed to start for OKC? He was a reliever in the Golden League.

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

by Al Yellon on Sep 5, 2010 6:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Prior is supposed to play today

although it didn’t indicate he’ll start. Since his appearances for Orange County he’s had 9 games and 11 innings. Surrendered 1 unearned run and had 22K with 5BB. Texas Ranger manager indicated he won’t be used this year but may be a piece of the club’s bullpen next year.

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

by tharr on Sep 5, 2010 6:53 AM CDT reply actions

Good job Iowa Cubs

Lets see if the Shark steps up and throws a good one.

by Grockcubs on Sep 5, 2010 8:50 AM CDT reply actions

Guyer

Josh, what is the realistic plan for him next season? Does he profile as a starting OFer or a 4th OFer? He sounds like he has the type of athleticism we could use. Drew Stubbs/ Chris Heisey type?

by Mmurton on Sep 5, 2010 10:02 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Re: Guyer

I’ve always compared him to Eric Byrnes. He’s made strides offensively this year, but I think the Byrnes profile, a guy who is a passable starter but better suited to be a 4th OF, still holds. He can play some CF, but isn’t a good option for everyday work in CF, and he doesn’t have the strongest arm. Good enough athleticism, and a “go-for-it” attitude should make him a solid defensive player in general, though. Offensively, I’d take his numbers with a grain o salt right now. His power is better than last year, but overall, it’s still more of a gap power type that. He might be a decent fit as a “timeshare” guy, but I tend to still view him as more of an ideal 4th OF that can occasionally start.

As for the plan for Guyer next year, well, I think he’ll get a long look in ST, but probably get sent back to the minors, where he’ll likely start in AAA.

by toonsterwu on Sep 5, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I’ll take that for the league minimum in ‘11 or ’12 as opposed to paying a 4th OF 2-2.5 mil. My understanding was that he was more of a gap-power type. It just depresses me that we don’t seem to have anyone in our system who projects to be a quality, everyday OFer in our system, outside of Jackson. I think even the T Colvin cheering section is/ should be coming back down to earth.

by Mmurton on Sep 5, 2010 10:27 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Maybe Guyer

could platoon with Fukudome in RF next year? That might not make for a bad leadoff combo at all. Also, I tend to think Colvin’s long term value for us is to split time in LF with Soriano for the next four years, with the best matchup playing on a given day.

by Bradsbeard on Sep 6, 2010 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Answer on Daytona Sac Fly

Valdez made a catch, crashing into the wall. He hung on to the ball for the out, but by the time he got to his feet and got the relay throw in, the runner on second was able to cross the plate.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 5, 2010 12:20 PM CDT reply actions