Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 24

by Josh Timmers on Apr 24, 2011 10:00 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Once again this season, if you want to see winning Cubs baseball, follow the Tennessee Smokies. They've won three straight half-season titles and are well on their way to a fourth. The Daytona Cubs are a good choice too, as they have an even better record.

And as a reminder, there is no better place to follow the Smokies than through our friends at the Smokies Radio Network. Daily updates and links to the free on-line radio broadcasts.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got plastered by the Memphis Redbirds, 7-1.

Starter Thomas Diamond only lasted three innings after getting hammered for six runs on seven hits, including three hits that left the yard. Diamond walked two and struck out two.

He was relieved by Austin Bibens-Dirkx, who pitched decently enough. He went three innings and allowed one run on two hits. Bibens-Dirkx walked one and struck out two. He also threw 47 pitches, which makes me believe he's not being considered for a start on Tuesday.

The I-Cubs only managed three singles today.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies eclipsed the Jacksonville Suns 4-3, to improve their record to a Southern League best 12-5.

Starter Chris Rusin allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings. One of the three runs was unearned. Rusin walked one and struck out three in a no-decision. He did hit two batters, however.

He was relieved by Marco Carrillo, who got the win with two shutout innings. He didn't allow a hit. Carrillo walked one and struck out two.

Blake Parker threw the final two innings without allowing a run for his first save of the year. Parker allowed one hit and no walks. He struck out two.

First baseman Rebel Ridling hit a solo home run in the 8th inning that broke the tie and provided the winning margin. It was his fourth home run this year. Ridling was 3 for 4 and scored twice.

Ryan Flaherty hit his fifth home run earlier in the game. It was a sixth-inning solo homer. Flaherty was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs done in the Dunedin Blue Jays 5-3. The Daytona Cubs are also in first place with a 13-5 record.

Aaron Kurcz started and pitched four good innings, allowing only one run on a solo home run and four hits total. Kurcz walked two and struck out six.

Kevin Rhoderick got the win because Kurcz didn't go five, but he pitched well too. Rhoderick threw three shutout innings and allowed only one hit. He walked one and struck out three.

Center fielder Evan Crawford was 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Left fielder David Macias was 2 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. He scored twice. DH Jake Optiz was 2 for 4

Peoria Chiefs

Spent the off-day setting traps for the Easter Bunny, hoping to get an endless supply of chocolate eggs for the bullpen.

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Comments

Too bad

that we don’t have an obvious starter for Tuesday at Iowa or Tenn. The closest I can see is Mathes but he tossed 6 innings Friday. If the Tuesday game does get cancelled, perhaps he’ll get called to make a start.

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

by tharr on Apr 25, 2011 1:08 AM CDT reply actions

There wasn't any injury to Vitters yesterday, was there?

I saw he only had 2 ABs before a pinch-hitter took over. Was it more of a double-switch thing?

by RynoRooter on Apr 25, 2011 8:58 AM CDT reply actions

Double switch

Definitely. Tennessee does that often. To anyone but BJax. I was listening.

by timh815 on Apr 25, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks.

Didn’t get to watch/listen to anything yesterday due to all the Easter festivities.

by RynoRooter on Apr 25, 2011 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I wonder if an All Star team collected from the farm system could give the real Cubs a game....

maybe even win….

by TJ11 on Apr 25, 2011 9:54 AM CDT reply actions

I'd love to watch, that's for sure.

by CubFan90 on Apr 25, 2011 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sure why some people think Diamond could go 5 in Chicago

He can’t even go 5 at Iowa, so he’s pretty much a coin flip vs. either Russell or Stevens.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Apr 25, 2011 10:47 AM CDT reply actions

Neither is a good option, obviously.

The reason some of us have advocated for Diamond is because he has a better chance to catch a bit of “lightning in a bottle”. He can throw a 100 pitches, is RH, and has been “groomed” as a SP.

Even if Diamond has a bit less talent than Russell (probable, but open for debate), he’s the better candidate to start… even if him making it through five IP is also highly unlikely.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Apr 25, 2011 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Even if diamond has a mediocre or poor outing, it makes more sense to then bring in Russell or samardzija than to start Russell and then completely exhaust the bullpen. If they want to sacrifice that game so be it, but it is foolish to start Russell and probably cost the team additional games because the bullpen gets wiped out.

by mr_einstein on Apr 25, 2011 12:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree.

Diamond has at least shown he’s capable of going 5 innings, Russell has really not shown he’s capable of going 3. In either case we’re at a disadvantage, but with 3 or less terrible innings from Russell, gets worn down.

Basically there are no good options at Iowa. So we’re stuck with Russell until further notice.

"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella

by tripdenten on Apr 25, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Baseball America

has a story ($) up on Trey McNutt. Since I assume most of you aren’t Baseball America subscribers, I’ll just say that McNutt says that he throws both a slider and a curve ball—it isn’t just one pitch. He was throwing 90-95 in his first start back (both two and four seam fastballs) and used his change up to strike out Fred Lewis, who was down on a rehab assignment.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 25, 2011 11:58 AM CDT reply actions

Nice

His changeup (and control) will determine how successful he can become in the bigs.

by RynoRooter on Apr 25, 2011 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Is a half-season title...

…an actual award? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Apr 25, 2011 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think they fly a flag or anything

but since the all minor leagues below Triple-A play split seasons and award playoff spots based on who wins each half, the teams that win each half are referred to as the “first half champion” and “second half champion.”

Tennessee won both halves of the Southern League Northern Division last year and the second half in 2009.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 25, 2011 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes:

last season’s Least Valuable Player Award for the first half of the season was a tie between Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee. In 2009, two other Cubs tied for the award: Aaron Miles and Milton Bradley. Miles and Bradley actually won the award for both halves of the 2009 season.

"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella

by tripdenten on Apr 25, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions