Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 4

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs calmed the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 2-1.

Chris Rusin pitched the first six innings and pitched around eight hits and four walks to only allow one run. He struck out two as he improved his record to 5-2.

Scott Maine pitched the ninth inning and allowed a hit and a walk, but no runs. Maine struck out the final two batters of the game swinging.

Catcher Mario Mercedes was 2 for 4 with an RBI triple that scored second baseman Marquez Smith. Smith was 2 for 4 with a double.

Iowa will finish their season tomorrow at home against the Storm Chasers.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies split a double-header with the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), losing the first game 5-1 and winning the second game by the same 5-1 score. The loss in game one clinched the second half title for the Chattanooga Lookouts, ending the Smokies streak of four straight titles.

In game one, Marco Carrillo started and took the loss. He threw four innings and allowed three runs on five hits, although only one of the three runs was earned. Carrillo walked one and struck out five.

First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 3 with the lone Smokies RBI in game one.

In the second game, Hung-Wen Chen started and pitched three shutout innings. He gave up two hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Daniel Berlind got his first Double-A win because Chen didn't go five. He pitched two shutout innings and also allowed two hits. He also struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit a three-run home run in the first inning. It was his 14th home run of the year. Vitters was 1 for 2 with a sac fly, giving him four RBI in game two.

Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. He scored twice.

The Smokies were originally scheduled to finish their regular season tomorrow, but they played a double-header today because of a poor weather forecast for Monday. They finished the second half with a 40-30 record and an overall record of 83-57.

Despite finishing second in the second half, the Smokies qualified for the playoff by winning the first half. They'll host Chattanooga in game one of the best-of-five series on Thursday.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were beached by the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 6-4.

The D-Cubs went with a series of relievers today as they get their rotation set up for the playoffs. Patrick Francescon pitched the first two innings without allowing a run. He gave up two hits. Francescon walked one and struck out two.

Yoannis Negrin took the loss in relief. He gave up two runs on three hits over 1.1 innings. He did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Frank Batista blew his second save in as many games after allowing both of the runners inherited from Negrin to score. He also allowed a run of his own on two hits and a walk over a third of an inning.

Catcher Chad Noble hit his first home run of the season in the seventh inning with the bases empty. Noble was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Third baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 3 with a walk. Center fielder Taiwan Easterling was 1 for 5 in his first game in his return to the state of Florida.

The Daytona Cubs finished the second half of the season with a 29-38 record. For the whole season, they had a record of 76-61. They will host Dunedin in game one of the best-of-three series on Tuesday.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs apprehended the Quad City River Bandits (Cardinals), 4-3 in twelve innings.

No one scored on Dallas Beeler over the four innings he pitched to start the game. Beeler allowed only two hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out two.

Pete Levitt got his first professional victory with a perfect inning in the top of the twelfth. Levitt did not strike anyone out.

Micah Gibbs doubled with two out in the twelfth inning and scored the winning run on an error by River Bandits second baseman Kolten Wong. Gibbs was 2 for 6.

Right fielder Anthony Giansanti was also 2 for 6 with a double. He scored once and had two RBI. First baseman Richard Jones went 2 for 6 and knocked one runner in. 

Third baseman Dustin Geiger and left fielder Ben Klafczynski were both 2 for 5 with an RBI.

The Chiefs will finish up their season tomorrow against the River Bandits.

Boise Hawks

Take on Tri-City at home in game one of the best-of-three series tomorrow. BCB Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August Jose Rosario will start against Tri-City's Christian Bergman.