Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 2

To nobody's surprise, you voted Iowa Cubs center fielder Brett Jackson as the BCB Minor League Player of the Month. So today it's the pitchers turn, and I don't think today's vote will be nearly as lopsided. Once again, this isn't intended to be a statement on their status as prospects but rather a reward for production. But as always, you're free to vote for whomever you want.

The candidates are:

Iowa Cubs right-hander Jay Jackson: It's been a rough season for Jackson, who was once a top prospect in the organization. His velocity was way down and he struggled badly. But he ended the season on a high note, going 2-3 with a 2.87 ERA in six starts. His ERA looks even better since he did  not allow any unearned runs in August. In the 37.2 innings pitched, he struck out 29 and walked 11. I don't have any reports in August if his velocity has bounced back, but he's certainly keeping the ball down. His ground ball rate was way up and he did not allow a home run for the month.

Tennessee Smokies right-hander Trey McNutt: It's been a tough season for McNutt as well, but most of his struggles can be attributed to blisters and muscle strains. But he finally seemed healthy in August and he went 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six appearances. Over 35 innings, McNutt also struck out 29 and walked 11, the same as Jackson.

Daytona Cubs right-hander Dae-Eun Rhee: It's been a long road back from Tommy John Surgery in 2009 for Rhee, but in August Rhee looked to be back to his pre-injury form. He went 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA in six appearances. Over 38 innings, Rhee struck out 40 and walked only ten. He's still got a problem with the long ball as he surrendered four home runs, but considering he only allowed 14 runs all month, he was better at limiting the damage.

Peoria Chiefs right-hander Luis Liria: Liria doesn't throw hard, but he keeps hitters off-balance with a variety of breaking and off-speed stuff. He's never been better than in August when he was 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA over six appearances. He held opposing hitters to a .144 batting average. Over 28 innings, Liria struck out 18 and walked 13.

Boise Hawks right-hander Jose Rosario: Rosario has almost single-handedly pitched the Boise Hawks into the post-season. Down the stretch in August, Rosario was 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in six starts. The only start he didn't win was because he only threw four shutout innings. In 33 innings in August, Rosario struck out 28 and walked only six.

In other news, the Daytona Cubs unveiled a two new logos today. One of them has a bear riding a surfboard and swinging a bat. I'd pay to see that if they got a real bear to do it.

Today's games are after the jump.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got blitzed by the Omaha Storm Chasers, 15-5.

Starter Alberto Cabrera took the loss after allowing six runs over five innings. He was touched for seven hits, including two that left the yard. Cabrera walked three and struck out one.

Catcher Chris Robinson was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez also had an RBI and scored once in a 3 for 4 game. Finally, third baseman DJ LeMahieu was 3 for 4 with a run batted in.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies threw off the oppressive yoke of the Birmingham Barons, 3-2.

Ryan Searle got a no-decision after pitching six innings and allowing only one unearned run. Searle surrendered only two hits. He walked three and he struck out four.

Jeff Beliveau got the win with 1.2 innings of relief. He allowed one hit but no runs. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Rafael Dolis threw a scoreless ninth for his 17th save. Dolis gave up one hit. He also did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Shortstop Junior Lake tripled in the top of the ninth and later scored what turned out to be the winning run. Lake was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 2 with two walks and a double. He had two RBI.

Chattanooga won, so the Smokies still trail the Lookouts by one game with three to play for the second-half title.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs gave up eleven runs in the fourth inning and lost to the Brevard County Manatees, 15-4.

Casey Harman started and got chased after 3.2 innings. He gave up nine runs on eight hits, including two home runs. His ERA did not take a bath though because seven of the nine runs were unearned. Harman walked two and struck out four.

Third baseman Jake Opitz had two doubles in a 3 for 5 game. He scored once and knocked home two.

Second baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. It was also his error that opened the floodgates in the fourth.

DH Justin Bour was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs doused the Beloit Snappers, 4-2.

Luis Liria pitched the first six innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Liria struck out nine and walked two. The win evened his record with Peoria to 3-3.

Alvaro Sosa got his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning. He did walk one with two outs, but did not allow a hit. Sosa ended the game with his lone strikeout.

Right fielder Anthony Giansanti was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks fell to the Vancouver Canadians, 3-2.

Ben Wells got a no-decision with a quality start for the Hawks. Wells went seven innings and allowed only two runs on three hits. Wells did not walk anyone and struck out five.

Kyler Burke took the loss in relief. He gave up a run on two hits over two innings. Burke walked one and struck out four.

Catcher Rafael Lopez hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning. It was his sixth home run of the year. Lopez was 1 for 4.

The good news for Boise was that Tri-City won and Spokane and Yakima lost. This means that Tri-City has clinched a both halves of the Northwest League East Division title. So Yakima is eliminated from post-season contention. If Boise wins the final game of the year tomorrow or Spokane loses, then Boise will win the second post-season spot.

Third baseman Dustin Harrington was 2 for 4.