Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 27

Last night, I forgot to mention that last night's loss by the Peoria Chiefs officially eliminated them from the playoffs. I'm sure that doesn't come as a surprise to any of you who have been following the Chiefs this season.

The Smokies and the D-Cubs have already qualified for a playoff spot. Boise is still in contention for a second-half title but battling from behind.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were not OK against the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 2-1.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx pitched six innings and allowed but one unearned run on six hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out four.

Carlton Smith took the loss when he gave up a solo home run in the eighth inning. Smith it was the only hit he allowed over two innings. Smith walked one and struck out two.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored the lone I-Cub run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blotted out the Jacksonville Suns, 5-4.

Starter Eric Jokisch had some control problems but pitched around them to allow only two runs over 5.1 innings. Jokisch gave up five hits and issued five walks. He struck out three.

Kevin Rhoderick improved his record this season to 7-0 with the Smokies and 9-0 overall with yet another win in relief. Rhoderick entered the game when Jokisch left with the bases loaded in the sixth and faced one batter. He got an inning-ending double play.

Rafael Dolis pitched the final 1.1 innings for his sixteenth save. Dolis did not allow a run but did give up two hits. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Second baseman Nate Samson doubled and scored as a part of a three-run sixth inning for the Smokies. Samson went 2 for 4.

Catcher Blake Lalli was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to stun the Dunedin Blue Jays, 7-4.

Jeffry Antigua pitched the first five innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Angel Guzman actually pitched in relief for the first time this season and tossed a scoreless inning. He gave up one hit. He did not walk or strike anyone out.

Jordan Latham got the win after allowing a run in two innings of relief. Latham was touched for three hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Fireman Frank Batista pitched a perfect ninth for his 25th save. He struck out one.

Second baseman Logan Watkins had the big blow in that ninth inning when he hit a three-run home run to give the D-Cubs the lead. It was his fifth home run this year. He also doubled and walked twice in a 2 for 3 game. Watkins stole his fifth base of the year as well. He just had the one run scored and the three RBI.

Right fielder Michael Burgess also hit a solo home run in the second inning, his 19th of the year. Burgess was 1 for 4.

Left fielder Evan Crawford was 3 for 5 with a double. 

Shortstop Elliot Soto and third baseman Jake Opitz were both 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs scored four runs in the second inning and hung on to trap the Kane County Cougars, 4-3.

Starling Peralta was dominating over six shutout innings. Peralta allowed only two hits and he walked one. Peralta improved his record to 3-5.

Roderik Pichardo entered the game in the ninth inning and got the final two outs for his first save. He did not allow a run of his own although he did allow an inherited runner to score. He gave up a hit and issued one walk. He did not have a strikeout.

Center fielder Taiwan Easterling tripled with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. He later scored in the inning. Easterling was 2 for 5 overall.

Left fielder Ben Klafczynski was 2 for 4 with a double. DH Jesus Morelli was 2 for 4. Both players were on base when Easterling tripled. 

Second baseman Rubi Silva was 2 for 4 with a sac fly that scored Easterling.

Right fielder Anthony Giansanti was 1 for 4 with a walk, but he had two outfield assists tonight. The big one ended the game as he threw out a runner trying to score the tying run. He also threw out a runner trying to go from first to third on a single to right field in the eighth inning.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks fell to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 6-1.

Jean Sandoval pitched the first three innings and gave up an unearned run on one hit and two walks. He walked two and struck out six.

Hector Mayora got the loss after surrendering two runs on a two-run home run in the sixth inning. He pitched two innings and allowed two total hits. Mayora did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Third baseman Dustin Harrington doubled and scored the lone Hawks run in a 3 for 4 night.

Second baseman Brad Zapenas was 2 for 4. Catcher Yaniel Cabezas was 2 for 3.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 6-3.