Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 5

As Al and others have noted, there was quite a game in Des Moines Sunday. Unfortunately, it didn't end the way we would have liked.  So the Memphis Redbirds and the Iowa Cubs will play at 1:05 Central on Monday and the winner of the game will be crowned the 2010 PCL American North Division Champion. You can listen to the game for free at milb.com. (Look under Multimedia and MiLB Gameday Audio.) From what I understand, Monday's game threads will double as game threads for the Cubs of both the Chicago and Iowa varieties.

Jay Jackson will take the mound for the I-Cubs against lefty Evan MacLane.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 8-7 in 15 innings.

Jeff Samardzija started the game in the first inning, but it would have been better if he didn't show up until the fourth. In the first three innings, Samardzija allowed seven runs on seven hits. However, after allowing a double to lead off the fourth, the Shark retired the next nine batters in a row. So his overall line for Samardzija was six innings pitched and seven runs allowed on eight hits. He walked two and struck out five.

In fact, the Iowa pitchers would not allow another hit until the tenth inning. Luke Sommer, Jake Muyco, Justin Berg, Jeff Stevens and David Cales combined to pitch seven innings. They allowed only one single. Sommer walked two, no one else walked anyone.

Jeff Gray continued the fine pitching with a  scoreless 14th inning and erased a single with a double play.  But got the loss after allowing a run in the 15th. Overall, Gray pitched two innings and allowed a run on four hits. He intentionally walked one batter and struck out two.

First baseman Bryan LaHair hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning as part of the I-Cubs comeback. It was his 25th homer of the year. LaHair went 2 for 6 with a walk. He had the two RBI and he scored twice.

Left fielder Jason Dubois was 3 for 5 with a double. Dubois scored once and had two RBI. Right fielder Brad Snyder was 2 for 7 with a double and a stolen base. Snyder scored once and had one RBI.

Center fielder James Adduci was 1 for 5 with three walks. He stole two bases and scored once.

Manager Ryne Sandberg was ejected from this game in the first inning for arguing a call on Adduci being caught stealing.  Memphis manager Chris Maloney was also ejected in the sixth inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies clinched long ago, but now they're looking for an all-time franchise record for most games over .500. They tied the record today with a 3-2 deepfrying of the Carolina Mudcats.

Chris Archer started, but he went only two innings as the Smokies get their rotation set for the playoffs. He allowed one hit but no runs. Archer walked two and struck out two.

James Leverton got the win, but that was because he blew a lead by allowing two runs over 1.1 innings. Leverton surrendered three hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Aaron Shafer got his second save.  Shafer pitched 1.2 innings and only allowed one baserunner by a hit batsman. He erased him in a double play. Shafer had one strikeout.

Second baseman Tony Thomas hit a solo home run in the fifth inning. It was his 11th home run this season. Thomas was 1 for 4.

Left fielder Brandon Guyer went 2 for 4 with a double. He had one RBI. Nate Samson was 2 for 4.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 3 with a walk. He also scored twice and stole a base.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs finished their season with a 6-0 shutout of the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Robert Whitenack got the win, going seven innings and allowing only two hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Center fielder Jose Valdez had two doubles in a 2 for 3 day. Valdez  also walked once. He scored twice and had two RBI.

DH Ryan Flaherty went 2 for 3 with two RBI. He was also hit by a pitch.  Third baseman DJ LeMaheiu was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Second baseman Jake Opitz and left fielder Greg Rohan were both 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona finished the season with an overall record of 75-64.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were robbed by the Quad City River Bandits, 1-0.

Francisco Batista was the hard-luck loser, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out six.

First basema Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with a double.

The Chiefs will finish their season against the River Bandits tomorrow.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks finished their season with a 9-2 loss to the Yakima Bears.

Juan Yasser Serrano started and didn't make it out of the second inning. He allowed seven runs on five hits, including one home run, over 1.2 innings.  Serrano walked three, hit two batters, and struck out one.

Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 5 and scored once. Catcher Chad Noble was 2 for 4.

The Hawks finished the season with an overall record of 34-42.