Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 30

We had two home run records set tonight. The first was by Iowa Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair, whose 38th home run broke Joe Hicks' record that was set in 1984. The second historic blast was hit by Boise Hawks first baseman Paul Hoilman, whose 16th home run tied Russ Canzler's 2006 team record.

Congratulations go out to Canzler, who now plays in the Tampa Bay system and was named International League MVP today. As far as current Cubs go, Hoilman and catcher Rafael Lopez were named Northwest League All-Stars. LaHair was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were lost in the cacophony of the Nashville Sounds, 7-3.

Starter Nick Struck took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over only 4.2 innings. Struck walked three and struck out five.

LaHair's home run was a solo home run in the sixth inning. He was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk tonight. Catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies darkened the Jacksonville Suns, 10-8.

Yeoman pitcher Marco Carrillo only allowed one unearned run over five innings. He gave up two hits and issued one walk. Carrillo struck out six.

Marcus Hatley coughed up the lead in relief, but got the win when the Smokies came back to score six runs in the bottom of the seventh. Hatley allowed two runs on two hits in the one inning he pitched.

Jeff Stevens allowed a run on a solo home run, but got his second save anyway. Stevens threw 1.2 innings and allowed one run on the one hit. He struck out one and did not walk anyone.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 3 for 5 with a double and five RBI. Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 and scored twice. 

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 5 and scored once.

Daytona Cubs

It's August in Florida, so that means more rainouts. A double-header with Tampa was rained out. They'll try to play a double-header tomorrow and Thursday, but the forecast isn't much better for either day. It's a good thing they qualified for the playoffs in the first half.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs don't have to worry about the post-season, but they went out anyway and stopped the Kane County Cougars, 8-7.

Dallas Beeler started and pitched three shutout innings. He allowed three hits. He struck out three and walked one.

In one of the dumbest scoring decisions that I've ever seen, Brett Wallach was awarded the win because Beeler didn't go five innings. How bad was it? Wallach pitched one inning and allowed three runs on one hit and six walks. He had two wild pitches too. Alvaro Sosa pitched two shutout innings, but I assume he wasn't awarded the win because he qualified for a hold. Really? We care about minor league holds now?

Second baseman Rafael Valdes was 4 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. Center fielder Taiwan Easterling was 3 for 5. He also had one RBI and scored once.

First baseman Richard Jones went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had two RBI. Third baseman Dustin Geiger went 2 for 5 with a double. He also scored once and knocked one in. Finally, DH Ben Klafczynski was 2 for 4 with a run score and an RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks stopped the Vancouver Canadians, 5-1.

Joe Zeller pitched the first three innings and allowed a run on three hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Dustin Fitzgerald got the win with three innings of no-hit relief. He did walk two and struck out one.

DH Paul Hoilman hit his 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning with the bases empty. Hoilman was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Right fielder Reggie Golden hit his second home run in as many days with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Golden was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI. 

Catcher Rafael Lopez was 2 for 4 and scored once. Center fielder Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 4.