Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 15

Things were so bad for the Iowa Cubs that before today's game against the Reno Aces, manager Bill Dancy shot a man just to watch him die. Of course, now that Iowa came back and won today, baseball superstition dictates that he has to do it before every game.

On a serious I-Cub note, pitcher Chris Carpenter was hit in the ear with a one-hopper by Wily Mo Peña last night. He was taken for stitches last night and they did not believe he suffered a concussion. He was at the stadium with the rest of the team today.

What exactly was the weather like in Chicago this afternoon? The Chiefs got a game in against Kane County in Geneva.

Everyone won today! Daytona scored eight runs in a victory over Ft. Myers. They were the only Cub team to not score double-digits. Lots of work for me tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs drew an inside straight against the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks), coming from behind to win 14-11.

Starter J.R. Mathes got tagged for six runs in the first inning, but then settled down and managed to pitch five innings. His final totals were eight runs allowed, five of which were earned. He gave up ten hits, two of which were home runs. He walked two and struck out one.

Thomas Diamond got the win when the I-Cubs stormed back to score four runs in the eighth to take the lead. Diamond pitched two innings of relief and gave up three runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Scott Maine was didn't give up a run in the two innings he pitched as he collected his seventh save. He surrendered two hits but didn't walk anyone. He struck out three.

Lou Montanez had six RBI today, including a bases-loaded double in the first inning. Montanez went 3 for 5 with a walk. He also scored twice.

Catcher Chris Robinson had four RBI in a 3 for 5 afternoon. He scored once. 

Brad Snyder hit a pinch-hit solo home run to start the comeback in the eighth inning. It was his sixth home run this season. Snyder stayed in the game and singled and scored in the ninth inning for a 2 for 2 day.

Second baseman Bobby Scales was 3 for 5 with a double and a walk. He scored four times and had one RBI. Left fielder Fernando Perez had a triple and two RBI in a 2 for 5 game.  

Center fielder Tony Campana, rumored to be looking at a call-up if Colvin gets sent to the minors, was 2 for 5 with a walk and a stolen base. He's hitting .342 with eight steals this season in Iowa.

This game was played in cold, windy conditions. There was a 26 mph wind blowing from left to right. There were also snow flurries in Reno before the game.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers) 13-1.

Brooks Raley started and got his first win of the season allowing only one run on six hits. He walked three and struck out four.

The Smokies faced top Dodger prospect Rubby De La Rosa and showed him no mercy, pounding him for seven runs over 3.2 innings.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his sixth home run of the season and first in almost two weeks. It was a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Vitters was 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Second baseman D.J. LeMahieu extended his hitting streak to 16 games by going 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He also walked. LeMahieu scored twice and had two RBI.

Right fielder Nelson Perez had two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. He scored once and had one RBI. Shortstop Ryan Flaherty was 1 for 2 with three walks. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs rode a seven-run first inning to disprove the Ft. Myers Miracle (Twins), 8-3.

Zachary Rosscup improved his record to 3-0 with a five inning start. He surrendered two runs on five hits. He only walked one and struck out four. 

First baseman Justin Bour hit his tenth home run of the year today. It was a bases-empty blast in the seventh inning. Bour also doubled in a 2 for 4 game. He scored twice.

Third baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 4 with two doubles. He scored once and had two RBI. Second baseman Logan Watkins hit a double in a 2 for 4 game. Watkins had one RBI. 

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. He also stole his sixth base. Left fielder Evan Crawford scored once, had one RBI and went 2 for 4. He stole his 11th base this season.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs captured the Kane County Cougars (Royals), 11-8.

Hayden Simpson started and pitched 3.2 innings. He allowed five runs on four hits. Two of the five runs were unearned. Simpson walked three and struck out two.

As has happened all season, Simpson was relieved by Eric Jokisch, who finished the game and got the win. Jokisch pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three runs in the ninth inning as well as letting in two inherited runners from Simpson. Between that, he was excellent. He gave up the three runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out four.

First baseman Richard Jones hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his fifth of the year. Jones also doubled and had four RBI.

Left fielder Anthony Giansanti also had a huge day, going 4 for 5 with two doubles and his second home run of the year. It was a solo blast in the seventh inning. He scored twice and had three RBI.

Right fielder Smaily Borges was a perfect 4 for 4 with two doubles. He scored twice and had one RBI. Third baseman Greg Rohan broke out of the funk he had been in since he returned from the DL by going 4 for 5 with two doubles. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Center fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 6 with an RBI and two runs scored.