Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 9

by Josh Timmers on Apr 10, 2011 12:19 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

Rough day today, both on the major and minor league level. But one Cub farm team is still undefeated.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs missed catching the Round Rock Express, 13-9.

Robert Coello made his Cub debut and it did not go well at all. Coello lasted through four tough innings, allowing at least one run in every inning. Coello gave up seven runs total on eight hits, including three home runs. He walked four and struck out two.

Second baseman Scott Moore had a good day for the I-Cubs, going 3 for 4 with a three-run home run. Moore also doubled once and walked once. Moore scored three times and had three RBI.

First baseman Bryan LaHair homered for the second time in three games with a two-run home run in the first inning. LaHair went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had three total RBI.

Left fielder Lou Montanez was 2 for 6 with a double and a run scored. Third baseman Marquez Smith went 2 for 5 and scored twice. Catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. Shortstop Jonathan Mota went 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were caught looking by the Chattanooga Lookouts, 12-4.

Smokies starter Alberto Cabrera wasn't terrible, going four innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Cabrera walked three and struck out seven.

He was relieved by Hung-Wen Chen, who took the loss by giving up two runs on two hits in an inning of work. He walked one and struck out one.

Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. DJ LeMahieu was 2 for 4 with a double.

Catcher Steve Clevenger hit his first homer of the year. It was a second inning solo shot.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs improved their record to 3-0 by sinking the Brevard County Manateees, 7-3.

Aaron Kurcz made his first professional start and did a pretty decent job. He went five innings and allowed three runs on four hits. All the damage was a result of a fifth inning three-run home run. Kurcz walked one and struck out three while picking up the win.

Dae-Eun Rhee looked good tonight too, He pitched 3.2 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and a walk. He struck out four.

Right fielder Nelson Perez was the big hero tonight with two home runs. He hit a two-run home run in the second inning and a solo shot in the sixth.

First baseman Justin Bour also hit his second home run of the year, a solo shot in the second inning. Bour was 1 for 4 with two RBI.

Center fielder Evan Crawford went 1 for 3 with a walk and two stolen bases. He also scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs fell to 1-2 by losing to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 12-9 in 12 innings.

Robinson Lopez got pounded for six runs on eight hits over four innings. At least he didn't walk anyone, although he did hit a batter. Lopez struck out three.

Yohan Gonzalez gave up three runs in the 12th inning to take the loss. Gonzalez pitched two innings and allowed two hits and issued two walks. He fanned three.

DH Pierre LePage had another three hits today in four at bats. He also drew a walk. LePage scored twice and had an RBI. Over the first three games, LePage is 6 for 9 with four walks.

Center fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He also scored twice and batted two in. Third baseman Greg Rohan was 2 for 6 with an RBI. Catcher Micah Gibbs was 2 for 5 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored once.

First baseman RIchard Jones hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Jones was 1 for 6

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Comments

What position is LeMahieu playing?

2-4 with a double. Damn I hope it’s 2nd base.

by SenorGato on Apr 10, 2011 12:59 AM CDT reply actions

When I don't list a position

it almost always means that he moved sometime during the game.

In this case, he started at second base and finished the game at third.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 10, 2011 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Did Vitters play?

Do you know why the switch was made?

I have PMS & a GPS -- which means -- I am a bitch, and I will find you.

by cub in louies nest on Apr 10, 2011 7:15 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Vitters had the day off

by timh815 on Apr 10, 2011 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I went to the Iowa/RR game last night.

There was a lot of wind and homers were flying out. Chris Davis for the Express hit 3HRs. First time I’ve ever seen that happen live.

Ty Wright has no business playing RF. He looks as if he’d never played the position before. He literally had 2 balls hit in his glove and bounce out for hits and his routes in the OF contributed to most of the runs that didn’t come by way of the HR.

Looks like he may be playing out of position, but it honestly looked like he may have never played the outfield before in his life.

On the plus side, my wife really enjoyed all the fireworks from after the Express players pounded their HRs.

by ScottT on Apr 10, 2011 7:39 AM CDT reply actions

Iowa -Round Rock Fri.-Sat.

I watched both these games on Milb.tv. I have seen most of Iowa’s team in person at other levels many times but wanted to see some of the newer guys or guys who changed roles this season. Friday was a pretty well played game. Decent pitching especially Carpenter and Maine. I would guess both of them could see a call up sooner or later. Carpenter (if the gun there is close) really looked good.. According to the RR booth crew (including MLB vet Jerry Grote) said Carpenter hit 99 7 times and 100 several times and said they very rarely see that. Breaking ball was excellent as well, Gave up one hit on a grounder up the middle to the last hitter he faced and that was it in his 1 1/3 inn. Trinidad came in and his control was not sharp as he was behind about everyone and gave up a bunt single that Scott moore threw away, a walk and another infield hit. Maine was good , leadoff single and nothing else.

Saturday was a homer fest as RR hit 6 (3 by Chris Davis) and Iowa 3. Pitching was not great for either team. Coello was very hittable and his fastball sat at 89-91 and he pitched from behind to about every hitter. His curve was decent when he got it over. Muyco struggled as well and Berg mopped up and inning. The ICubs did make it interesting in the 9th as they had the tying at the plate with 2 outs but struck out to end the game.I agree with ScottT that Ty Wright had a game to forget in RF but the announcers said on the air that that has happened before and will happen again to RF’s in that park the way the wind swirls. Milb.tv is a great deal if you are a AAA fan ($29 a year) and the game broadcasting and camera work are very good.

A comment on the PCL. Many parks are launch pads based on thier geographic location and wind and humidity conditions. Expect many home runs not all of which would be HR’s in the east or southeastern parks. That and many players(esp. hitters) with previous MLB experience make for fairly high scoring games. Fun though.

by skeezer on Apr 10, 2011 9:02 AM CDT reply actions

Bring up Carpenter to start instead of letting Russell do it.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Apr 10, 2011 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

He's not a starter...

can we please stop suggesting this?

by bdlugz on Apr 10, 2011 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

He was one.

Why did they switch him?

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Apr 10, 2011 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

by timh815 on Apr 11, 2011 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the report

Yes, the PCL is a hitters league. I’ve called Albuquerque “Coors Field on Steroids” for a while now. Salt Lake, Colorado Springs and Las Vegas are almost as bad.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 10, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions