Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 20

by Josh Timmers on May 21, 2011 12:25 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

Apparently, "tissue" is the funniest word in the world if you are a three-year old girl.

Except for that embarrassment in Boston, everyone in the Cub system won today!

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs scored two in the eighth and three in the bottom of the ninth to defrock the Tucson Padres, 11-10.

Ramon Ortiz put the I-Cubs in an early hole. Ortiz pitched 5.2 innings and gave up nine runs on twelve hits. One of the nine runs was unearned. He did control the strike zone, however, as he struck out nine and walked one. That's one really unusual line.

Blake Parker tossed two shutout innings to keep the I-Cubs in it and Esmailin Caridad pitched a perfect top of the ninth and got the win. Caridad struck out one.

Catcher Steve Clevenger had a huge night, including the walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Overall, Clevenger was 4 for 5 with a double and a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was his second home run in seven games in Iowa and fifth overall. Clevenger scored twice and had three RBI.

Clevenger's game-winning single was with two outs after second baseman Scott Moore had tripled home Bobby Scales. Moore was 2 for 3 with a double and the triple. (He did not score a run because Matt Camp pinch-ran for him in the ninth.)

Center fielder Fernando Perez also homered, hitting a two-run home run in the second inning. It was his second home run this season. Perez went 1 for 4.

Right fielder Brad Snyder went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. Third baseman Bobby Scales was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and singled home Tyler Colvin for the first run in the ninth inning.

Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Lou Montanez pinch hit in the sixth inning and stayed in the game afterwards. He was 2 for 2 with a double and two RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies beat the Mobile Bay Bears, 6-5.

Starter Brooks Raley went 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on five hits. Two of the runs were unearned. Raley walked three and struck out three.

Chris Carpenter relieved Raley with two on in the sixth inning and pitched out of trouble. He got into trouble of his own in the seventh inning and coughed up the lead, but collected the win when Tennessee came back. Carpenter allowed one run on one hit over 1.1 innings. He walked three and had one strikeout.

Rafael Dolis had a shaky outing in the ninth inning, but he escaped without allowing a run . He did give up a hit and a walk in the inning he pitched. He did not have a strikeout. It was his third save.

"The Morristown Masher" Matt Spencer (as they call him on Smokies broadcasts) was most of the Smokies offense as he hit two two-run home runs: one in the first inning and one in the third. He also had the eventual game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning. So he went 3 for 3 with two home runs and five RBI.

After hitting two home runs in his first two at bats, Spencer was hit by a pitch his third time up in the fifth. Smokies manager Brian Harper was ejected protesting when the Mobile pitcher was not ejected.

Catcher Blake Lalli hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to account for the other Smokies run. It was his fourth home run this year. Lalli went 2 for 4.

Shortstop Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored on both of Spencer's home runs.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs flew past the Palm Beach Cardinals, 3-2 to improve their record to 30-12. They are the first team in all of baseball to reach 30 wins this season.

Starter Nick Struck got his fifth win of the season by allowing only one unearned run over 5.2 innings. Struck gave up only three hits and walked one. Struck struck out four.

Ryan Searle gave up a run in the ninth, but still collected his first save this season. Searle pitched 1.1 innings and gave up the run on two hits and three walks. He struck out one.

Shortstop Junior Lake hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was his third home run this season. Lake was 1 for 5.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs dethroned the Clinton LumberKings, 3-1.

Starter Cam Greathouse pitched four no-hit, no-run innings and they took him out of the game anyway. Of course, it might have something to do with the five walks he issued. Greathouse fanned two. But Skip, I'm throwing a no-hitter!

Alvaro Sosa got the win in relief. Sosa allowed one run on three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Marcus Hatley got his third save after pitching the ninth. He gave up one hit but no runs and no walks. He struck out two.

Third baseman Greg Rohan went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Left fielder Anthony Giansanti went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I believe Carpenter

only went 1.1 innings. He seems to have regressed since the season began. I guess that’s why he was sent down to AA. I haven’t heard much about Clevenger, probably because everyone is focused on Hill and Castillo. But his numbers have been excellent. He’s a LH hitter, converted IF with good speed and his K/BB rtaio is near 1/1. Finally, he’s also developing some power. If he continues to progress, it might be wise to see what Soto might bring us this winter. Of course, that would require he get some playing time when he’s brought up to Wrigley.

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

by tharr on May 21, 2011 12:46 AM CDT reply actions

Corrected

I was going to make some snide comment about how it doesn’t matter what the box score said or what the rules of the game are, he pitched 5.2 innings. But man, I just can’t believe I missed that in proofreading.

Don’t talk to me about Clevenger. I’ve been his biggest fan for about three seasons now. I’ve always thought he could be a solid backup catcher. No one seems to agree with me.

People should also note that when I say “solid backup catcher” they should realize that there aren’t 30 major league starting catchers in all of baseball. I don’t even think there are 20. (We’re lucky to have Soto.) So a “backup catcher” is someone who could start in a lot of places.

by Josh Timmers on May 21, 2011 2:24 AM CDT up reply actions

I've seen Clevenger compared to Kendall

If that’s anywhere true he’s got a nice future. And with the limited number of quality catchers, don’t you think he’d draw serious interest from other clubs if he is made available? I used to be Soto’s biggest fan but it seems as his production has turned too soft.

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

by tharr on May 21, 2011 4:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Matt Spencer

Doin work.

by Mulhollandmania on May 21, 2011 12:51 AM CDT reply actions

Golden?

Any idea as to where Reggie is playing? Injured?

by socalicubsfan on May 21, 2011 1:13 AM CDT reply actions

Extended Spring Training

by Mulhollandmania on May 21, 2011 1:14 AM CDT up reply actions

He'll probably go to Boise

once they start playing. He might get a few games in Rookie Ball first.

by Josh Timmers on May 21, 2011 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Clevenger

Seems to have a nice left handed bat but has bounced around because of our back up catcher situation. When will this organization look forward instead of portraying themselves like divisional contenders.

by joeby231 on May 21, 2011 1:36 AM CDT reply actions

Barney

If the Cubs are committed to playing Barney every day, Am I crazy to think they should consider flip-flopping Castro & Barney, defensively? Josh, wasn’t Barney a stellar defender at SS coming up? . They need to improve team D & everyone has talked about Starlin moving off SS anyway.

by Mmurton on May 21, 2011 9:20 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I don't know what Josh would say.

But this would make sense to me.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on May 21, 2011 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

It's not a good idea

this season. Why? Because second base is a dangerous position. Just as Tsuyoshi Nishioka, whom the Twins moved from SS to 2B and he got seriously injured with a take-out slide.

Moving Castro to 2B eventually probably will happen, but he’s going to need to more comfortable in the field first. A move like this should be made in the off-season with a lot of training and maybe a stint in the Winter Leagues. They shouldn’t try to do this on the fly in the majors.

It’s a good idea in theory, but the increased injury risk at second base mean that it needs to be done very slowly and over the off-season.

by Josh Timmers on May 21, 2011 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I was talking in a general framework. Waiting til the offseason gives them additional time to evaluate the offensive games of both Barney and a potential rival like DJL. If they were to make a switch and Barney regressed badly w the bat-which many of us think is a possibility- you would’ve really messed w Castro’s development. The infield D needs to improve, by hook or by crook.

by Mmurton on May 21, 2011 12:29 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

As much as we love Barney

he’s going to move around where he’s needed. Right now Castro needs to play shortstop, so Barney is going to play second base. When the time comes to move Castro to second base, Barney (or someone else) will play shortstop. It’s all going to hinge on what is best for Castro.

by Josh Timmers on May 21, 2011 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Szczur and Jackson

May not be back till Monday at the earliest… So many injuries..

by Ryno G on May 21, 2011 6:35 PM CDT reply actions

Better to rest them

and be sure that they’re going to be sure that they’re 100% healthy before they play again. Last thing they want is one of those two re-injuring themselves.

Did we ever hear what happened to Szczur? Did he do a keg flip at graduation?

by Josh Timmers on May 21, 2011 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions