Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 24

A much better day down on the farm.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs defeated the Nashville Sounds, 3-1.

Starter Nick Struck got his first Triple-A win tonight with seven innings of work. He allowed one run on seven hits. Struck did not walk anyone but only struck out one.

John Gaub got his fifth save. He allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth inning, but no runs. Gaub struck out one.

Both center fielder Brett Jackson and catcher Welington Castillo were 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run. For Jackson, it was his first home run for Iowa and came in the third inning. Castillo hit his in the second inning and was his 15th for Iowa and 16th overall home run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies cleaned up the Carolina Mudcats, 8-3.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx started and allowed solo home runs to the first and third batter he faced. He settled down and did not allow another run over the five innings he pitched. He gave up the two runs on three hits. Bibens-Dirkx walked only one and struck out five.

Everyone in the Smokies starting lineup, including Bibens-Dirkx, had at least one hit today. First baseman Blake Lalli had three doubles in a perfect 4 for 4 game. Lalli scored once and had two RBI.

Right fielder James Adduci was 4 for 5 with a double, a triple and a stolen base. He scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs grounded the Palm Beach Cardinals, 8-2.

Jeffrey Lorick improved his record to 8-3 with a solid six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits. Lorick walked two and struck out seven.

Shortstop Rafael Valdes hit two home runs tonight, both with the bases empty. The first one was in the fourth inning and the second was in the eighth. He now has three home runs this season. Valdes also hit an RBI double in a 3 for 4 game for three total RBI.

First baseman Justin Bour hit his 20th home run this year. It also was a solo home run in the seventh inning. Bour was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly.

Peoria Chiefs

Three errors left the Peoria Chiefs as roadkill for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 5-2.

Starter Matt Loosen took the loss. Loosen pitched six innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Right fielder Anthony Giansanti was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks ambushed the Spokane Indians, 13-6.

Yao-Lin Wang continues his breakout season with his third win tonight. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out five.

Jose Rosario got his second four-inning save of the year after piggybacking Wang. He allowed four runs on five hits, but only one of the runs was earned. Rosario walked two and struck out six.

First baseman Paul Hoilman hit a grand slam as part of a nine-run fifth inning for the Hawks. It was his eighth home run this season. Hoilman was 1 for 5.

Left fielder Blair Springfield hit his first home run of the year with two on in the seventh. Springfield was 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Second baseman Willson Contreras hit a two-run triple in that nine-run fifth. Contreras was 2 for 4 with three total RBI and one run scored.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Indians, 10-2.