Bleed Cubbie Blue: All Posts by Josh Timmers

Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 21

2013-05-22T03:33:16Z

Dustin Geiger was the Florida State League Player of the Week.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs took both heads of the Las Vegas 51s (Mets) double-header, 2-1 and 6-5.

In the first game, Brooks Raley threw the first three innings and allowed a run on two hits. He walked two and struck out four. Then Esmailin Caridad pitched three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. He walked one and struck out two.

Rafael Dolis pitched a scoreless top of the seventh and got the win. He didn't allow a hit and he walked one. He struck out three.

Right fielder Brian Bogusevic led off the bottom of the seventh inning with his third home run of the year, tying the score at one. He finished the first game 1 for 3.

With two outs and no one on in the bottom of the seventh, Brad Nelson walked and pinch-runner Edwin Maysonet went to third on a single by Ian Stewart. Then shortstop Donnie Murphy ended the game with an RBI single.

Both Murphy and Stewart were 1 for 3. Nelson was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.

Cubs starter Barret Loux kept Las Vegas without a hit for the first five innings of game 2 as Iowa took a 5-0 lead. Unfortunately, he came out for the sixth inning and gave up his first hit with one out in the inning, an RBI double by Omar Quintanilla that scored Landon Powell, who had reached on an error. After Loux walked the next batter to load the bases, he exited the game. Loux's final line was 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on only one hit. Two of the runs were unearned. Loux walked three and struck out five.

Zach Putnam entered the game with the bases-loaded and one out and gave up three singles to score all three inherited runners and one of his own to tie the game at five. For that, he was the winning pitcher when Iowa scored in the bottom of the sixth to retake the lead. Putnam allowed one run on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. He did not walk anyone and both of the outs were strikeouts.

Blake Parker pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save. Parker allowed a two-out walk, but no other baserunners. He struck out one.

The Cubs took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when center fielder Brian Bogusevic homered again, his fourth of the season. Bogusevic was 2 for 3 with a walk and he scored two runs.

Left fielder Darnell McDonald hit two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He had two RBI. Right fielder Dave Sappelt went 2 for 3. He scored two runs and had two batted in.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were doused by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 5-4 in 11 innings.

Starter Matt Loosen allowed a three-run home run in the bottom of the first to put Tennessee down early. But he didn't allow another run in his four innings of work. He was touched for four hits and a walk. Loosen struck out three.

The winning run scored when, with a man on second and two outs, Frank Batista uncorked a wild pitch and then catcher Jair Fernandez threw the ball away. It was the second straight game that Tennessee lost on a wild pitch. Batista pitched 2.2 innings and allowed the one unearned run on four hits. He struck out two and walked two, one of which was intentional.

Center fielder Rubi Silva went 2 for 5 with a triple and two RBI. Left fielder Tim Torres was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Shortstop Elliot Soto was 2 for 5 and scored once.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs scored five times in the top of the tenth to pound the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins), 7-2.

The only run allowed by starter P.J. Francescon was a solo home run in the sixth inning. He finished after surrendering five hits and two walks over six full innings. Francescon struck out three.

Frank Del Valle got the win in relief. He threw two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. He walked one and struck out one.

Center fielder Zeke DeVoss broke the tie with an RBI single in the top of the tenth. He later scored in that inning. he was 1 for 5.

Right fielder Jorge Soler had a two-run single in the tenth. Soler finished 2 for 5.

Third baseman Ben Carhart was 3 for 5 with a double. He scored one run. Shortstop Javier Baez went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice. Baez has an eight-game hitting streak.

Catcher Chad Noble was 2 for 4 and scored once. DH Chadd Krist was 2 for 4.

Kane County Cougars

The Cougars are making their first trip back to the Cubs former affiliate in Peoria.

Albert Almora should play tomorrow for the Cougars.

Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 20

2013-05-21T02:15:45Z

According to a couple of reports on Twitter (retweeted by Almora himself), Cubs outfielder Albert Almora has finished his injury rehab in extended spring training and has been assigned to Kane County. Almora was the Cubs first round pick last season and is the Cubs #3 prospect according to Baseball America. In case you've forgotten, Almora broke his hamate bone in spring training. So if you've been waiting for him to get out to Kane County to check out the Cougars, now is the time to buy your tickets.

Jorge Soler was the Florida State League Player of the Week.

Over on the Smokies Radio Network blog, they've got a video called "The Process: The 2013 Tennessee Smokies." It has an interview with manager Buddy Bailey and a look at Justin Bour and Jae-Hoon Ha. It's definitely worth a look.

The Cubs also released Mt Carmel High School and St. Xavier University alumnus David Cales.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were rained out. Too bad, it was Iowa Oaks uniform night. They'll try to play a double-header tomorrow.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies scored seven times in the top of the fourth inning to blind the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 9-2 in game one of a double-header. They lost game two 1-0 on a strikeout and a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh.

In game one, Alberto Cabrera went the whole game for a seven-inning complete game. He gave up the two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva got the scoring started in the fourth when he hit his third home run of the year with a man on. He was 1 for 4. Also in that inning was a two-run double by center fielder Matt Szczur. Szczur was 1 for 4 and scored once.

Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara closed out the scoring in the fourth with a two-run double of his own. Alcantara went 3 for 4 with two doubles. He scored two runs.

Right fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the fourth. He later scored in that inning. Catcher Rafael Lopez went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

In game two, starter Eric Jokisch threw six shutout innings. He allowed only three hits and walked one. Jokisch struck out five.

The Smokies lost on a walk-off strikeout. After a one-out double and a wild pitch off reliever Marcus Hatley in the seventh inning, Hatley struck out the next batter but the third strike was a second wild pitch that scored the runner from third. Hatley allowed one run on one hit and an intentional walk over two-thirds of an inning. He had that one strikeout.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva was 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were nailed by the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins), 4-1.

Starter Kyler Burke was successful in his season debut, pitching five innings until a rain delay. He allowed one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Eduardo Figueroa got the loss when he allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth. He pitched 2.1 innings and was touched for five hits. Figueroa walked one and struck out one.

Shortstop Javier Baez had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Center fielder Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 3 and was hit by a pitch.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars blew three runs leads twice and lost to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 8-7.

Tayler Scott pitched the first 5.1 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits, including a home run to Byron Buxton. One of the five runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out four.

Nathan Dorris took the loss. He pitched 1.2 innings and gave up three runs on three hits. Dorris walked three and struck out two.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario is finally getting hot. Today he was 4 for 5. Candelario scored once and had two runs batted in.

Second baseman Gioskar Amaya had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He also walked once. Amaya scored two runs.

First baseman Dan Vogelbach was 2 for 5 with two RBI. The Kernels, for the most part, wanted no part of Rock Shoulders, who is tied for the Midwest League lead in home runs. Shoulders walked three times in an 0 for 2 game. However, he did fly out to end the game with the tying run on base.

MLB Bullets Is Getting The Call

2013-05-20T12:00:12Z

Let's get straight to the bullets. I'm not nearly as clever as I think I am.

Ken Rosenthal believes that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is going to be fired, and he thinks it's going to be soon. He quotes a scout who says the ax is going to fall sometime today. Rosenthal himself thinks Mattingly will get another series, but that's it. Rosenthal says he won't argue against the move.
With Ian Kinsler on the DL, Jurickson Profar is getting the call to Texas.
Over in Tampa Bay, Jake Odorizzi is taking over for the disabled David Price. At SI.com. Ben Reiter says that Odorizzi's and Profar's promotions makes this an exciting week for prospect lovers.
The Cardinals are calling up Tyler Lyons to replace the injured Jaime Garcia. Not as exciting as Michael Wacha or moving Carlos Martinez into the rotation, but their time will come.
It's kind of an obscure fact, but Matt Moore became the first left-handed pitcher age 23 or under to start the season 8-0 since Babe Ruth.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports thinks that Paul Goldschmidt signing a long-term contract in spring training may have cost him as much as $75 million. Goldschmidt says he doesn't care.
There was a controversial use of instant replay on a Matt Joyce home run Sunday. Just read the article. It's complicated and points out an absurdity of the current instant replay rules. But in the end, the umps made the right call.
Speaking of the Rays, David Schoenfield says that their pitching makes them the favorite in the AL East.
Another reason for the Rays success has been James Loney, who says he's thriving because the Rays don't expect him to hit for power.
The Giants starting pitching, on the other hand, is struggling and no one knows why. Fatigue is one possibility.
There was a minor kerfuffle between Troy Tulowitzki and Madison Bumgarner, but Tulo denies that he accused Bumgarner of doctoring the ball.
Christina Kahrl writes that Nolan Arenado is a going to be a key part of the Rockies future.
That means the Rockies can afford to trade Reid Brignac to the Yankees. Well, they probably could have afforded that anyway, since they DFA'd him.
The Phillies have injury issues. Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard are going to have MRIs.
Jerry Crasnick says the Indians success this year is due to their starting rotation. The guys are still looking for a clever name for the rotation that they can put on a T-Shirt.
Geoff Baker in the Seattle Times says the Mariners are deadly slow and that they made a mistake not going after Michael Bourn in the off-season.
The Mets will likely make a play for Shin-Soo Choo if he becomes a free agent this off-season.
David Ortiz punishes the team that let him go.
In addition to Ortiz, the Twins sure have had a lot of good designated hitters throughout their history.
Walking the bases loaded with the winning run on third is a bad play.
The Sacramento River Cats' Barry Zito bobblehead may be the worst bobblehead ever. First of all, it doesn't look anything like Barry Zito. Second, the bobblehead depicts Zito throwing right-handed.
Columbia University has the oldest player in NCAA Division I baseball in Joey Falcone, the son of former major league pitcher Pete Falcone. He's playing college baseball after doing three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic. He turns 27 next month, but he still hopes to play major league baseball like his father did. But first, he'll try to lead Columbia to the College World Series.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.

Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 19

2013-05-20T02:50:18Z

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs exiled the Tucson Padres, 7-3.

Starter Nick Struck got his second win. He went six innings and allowed two runs on seven hits. Struck walked four and struck out four.

Yoanner Negrin pitched the rest of the game for a three-inning save. Negrin surrendered one run on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four.

First baseman Brad Nelson had two big hits today. He hit his seventh home run of the season in the fourth inning with a man on. Then in the fifth inning he came to the plate with the bases loaded and then emptied them with a three-run double. He finished 2 for 4. He scored twice in addition to the five RBI.

Shortstop Donnie Murphy hit a solo home run in the fourth inning two batters after Nelson homered. It was Murphy's second homer. Murphy was 2 for 4.

Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were rained out at Chattanooga. They'll try to play a double-header tomorrow. The forecast looks good.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs finished a four-game sweep of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 5-4. The win puts Daytona back over .500 at 21-20.

Starter Ben Wells pitched five innings and allowed four runs on four hits. One of the four runs was unearned. Wells walked two and struck out three.

Jeffrey Lorick pitched two scoreless innings for his second win. Lorick gave up three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Luis Liria pitched the final two innings without allowing a baserunner for his first save of the season. He did not have a strikeout.

DH Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth to break a 4-4 tie. It was Geiger's fifth home run. He was 1 for 3 and was intentionally walked once.

Center fielder Tim Saunders was 1 for 4 with a double and two stolen bases. He had one RBI and scored one run.

First baseman Taylor Davis was 2 for 4 and scored one run.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were lost in a maze against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 8-7.

Jose Rosario made his season debut today. He pitched the first four innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on only two hits, one of which was a solo home run. Rosario walked one batter but didn't strike any of them out.

Ian Dickson piggybacked Rosario and took the loss. Dickson pitched the next four innings and to the first hitter of the ninth inning, who doubled. Dickson was relieved by Eddie Orozco who, after a sacrifice bunt and two intentional walks, allowed a game-ending sacrifice fly.

The final line on Dickson was four innings pitched, allowing 6 runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Kane County tied the score at seven in the top of the ninth when shortstop David Bote hit his first home run of the year with a man on. Bote was 1 for 4.

In the sixth inning, Rock Shoulders smashed his tenth home run of the season with a man on as well. Shoulders was 1 for 4.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Right fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. So far this season, Rademacher is hitting .343 and has an ERA of 0.00 in three innings over two pitching appearances. (OK--he did allow three unearned runs as a pitcher.)

Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 18

2013-05-19T03:23:02Z

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs fell to the Tucson Padres, 4-2.

Starter Chris Rusin gave up three runs in the top of the first inning which put Iowa in a hole that they never recovered from. After that, he was pretty good, though. Rusin wouldn't give up another run until the seventh inning, and even that one was the result of two errors by first baseman Brad Nelson. Rusin allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits over 6.2 innings. Rusin walked two and struck out three.

Third baseman Ian Stewart went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Shorstop Donnie Murphy was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies clouded the vision of the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 7-5. The win was Tennessee's third in a row and seventh of their last eight.

Starter Dallas Beeler pitched six innings and gave up three runs on four hits. One of the three runs was unearned. Beeler walked two and struck out six as he improved his record to 4-2.

Brian Schlitter pitched the ninth inning and escaped with his second save after Chattanooga put runners on second and third with two outs. Schlitter pitched the one inning and allowed one unearned run on two hits He didn't walk anyone and struck out the final batter of the game.

I think you could say shortstop Arismendy Alcantara had a big day. He was 3 for 4 with two doubles and a solo home run in the top of the ninth, his fifth of the season. Alcantara had two RBI. He did have make a throwing error, so there is that.

Center fielder Matt Szczur got his average over .300 by going 3 for 5 with a double. He scored two runs and had one RBI. Szczur has had at least two hits in eight of his last ten games.

Right fielder Anthony Giansanti went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. Giansanti had one run batted in and scored once. Second baseman Ronald Torreyes was 2 for 5 with a double. He also scored one run and hand one batted in.

Catcher Jair Fernandez was 2 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs shot down the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 6-5.

Zach Cates started and got his fourth win in eight decisions. He pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Hunter Cervenka pitched a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save. He struck out two.

DH Ben Carhart hit his first home run of the year in the third inning with two men on. He was 1 for 5.

Shortstop Javier Baez was 3 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. Third baseman Wes Darvill was 3 for 5 and scored once. Darvill also stole a base.

Right fielder Jorge Soler went 2 for 4 with a walk. He also scored one run and had one batted in. First baseman Dustin Geiger went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored one run. Center fielder Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 5.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars detasseled the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 4-0.

Pierce Johnson shut down the Kernels for six innings as he got his second win. Johnson allowed six hits and he walked one while striking out nine.

Center fielder Oliver Zapata broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh with an RBI single, scoring Gioskar Amaya. Zapata would later score in that inning and then he hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth, which was his third home run this season. Zapata was 3 for 4 with the two RBI and the two runs scored.

First baseman Rock Shoulders accounted for the other run when he hit his ninth home run of the year in the eighth inning. Shoulders was 2 for 4.

DH Dan Vogelbach was 2 for 4 with a double.

Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 17

2013-05-18T04:10:02Z

There was a whole lot of baseball played today.

Iowa Cubs

Eight runs and 18 hits weren't enough as the Iowa Cubs fell to the Tucson Padres, 9-8 as an Iowa ninth inning rally fell short.

Starter Guillermo Moscoso pitched five innings and allowed four runs on nine hits. Two of the runs were unearned. Moscoso struck out eight and didn't walk anyone.

Esmalin Caridad relieved Moscoso in the sixth and didn't make it out of the inning. He took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits over two-thirds of an inning. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Second baseman Logan Watkins hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was his third of the season. Watkins was 1 for 5 with a walk.

Left fielder Brett Jackson was 4 for 5 with a double. He scored once. Third baseman Josh Vitters went 3 for 3 with a double. Vitters scored two runs and had one RBI.

First baseman Brent Lillibridge was 2 for 5 with a run scored. Right fielder Dave Sappelt was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

Center fielder Darnell McDonald was 2 for 4 and scored a run. Catcher J.C. Boscan went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 4-3. The win was Tennessee's sixth in seven games following a seven-game losing streak.

Starter Kyle Hendricks improved his record to 3-2. He pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Hendricks struck out three and had his usual control by walking only one.

Zach Rosscup pitched the ninth inning and got his first save. No one put the ball in play against him as he issued a lead-off walk and then struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva went 3 for 4 with two doubles. He had one RBI and scored one run.

Center fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 5.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs swept a double-header from the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 5-1 and 7-4 in 12 innings.

In the first game, Yeiper Castillo went the distance for a seven-inning complete game. He allowed a solo home run in the seventh inning and four total hits. Between the second and the seventh inning, he retired fourteen batters in a row. Castillo walked one and struck out two.

The four and five hitters, right fielder Jorge Soler and third baseman Dustin Geiger did all the damage in game one. Soler was 4 for 4 with a solo home run in the fifth inning, his sixth blast of the year. Soler scored three times.

Geiger had three doubles and a triple in a 4 for 4 game. Geiger had four runs batted in.

In the second game, Eduardo Figueroa started and put Daytona behind early, allowing two runs in the first and another two in the third. He finished with allowing four runs on four hits over three innings. He walked two and struck out one.

After that, the Daytona bullpen shut Lakeland out for the next nine innings. Austin Reed didn't allow a hit in two scoreless innings. Sheldon McDonald gave up two hits and a walk over four scoreless and winning pitcher Frank Del Valle allowed two hits over three innings. Del Valle struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Lakeland managed to get Dustin Geiger to ground out in the seventh inning. Otherwise, Geiger went 3 for 4 with a double and two walks. (One of those walks was intentional.) Geiger scored twice and had one RBI.

So if you don't want to do the math yourself, Geiger was 7 for 8 with four doubles, a triple and two walks. He scored two runs and had five RBI. Not bad for a day's work.

Soler also stayed hot in the second game, going 3 for 6 with a double and a run scored.

Daytona took the lead in the top of the twelfth on a two-run double by left fielder Taiwan Easterling. Easterling was 2 for 6 with a double and a triple.

Shorstop Javier Baez was 2 for 5 with a triple to lead off the twelfth inning. He scored three times. Baez walked once.

Catcher Chadd Krist went 2 for 6 with a stolen base. Krist had one RBI.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were harvested by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 4-3 in 12 innings.

Starter Dillon Maples allowed two runs on two hits over five innings. Maples walked one and struck out five.

Lendy Castillo had five innings of gravity-defying relief as he gave up only one run on five hits and three walks. He allowed at least one baserunner in all five innings. Castillo struck out four.

Nathan Dorris collected his first loss. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks over 1.1 innings. Dorris fanned two.

Right fielder Bijan Rademacher was 3 for 5 with a double. He scored two runs. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario went 2 for 5 with a double and he scored the other run.

MLB Bullets Has Hit The Wall

2013-05-17T12:05:19Z

I'm thinking of changing the name of this column to "Bryce Bullets."

After running face-first into the wall at Dodger Stadium, people around baseball are asking the question "Does Bryce Harper play too hard?" It's not an unfair question, as anyone who remembers the career of Pete Reiser can attest. (OK, I remember reading about Pete Reiser.) Harper, as quoted in the article linked above, says he's never going to slow down. Scott Miller says that's a good thing. Jason Reid says that attitude is part of what makes Harper so great. Ken Rosenthal thinks Harper's risky behavior may or may not be a positive, but agrees you can't separate that attitude from Harper's talent. (video link)
Just an aside on Pete Reiser, Leo Durocher insisted that he was every bit as good as Willie Mays, and he managed both of them. Of course, Durocher also said the same thing about Cesar Cedeno.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro is happy with the Phillies place in the standings and says the problem with Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels is that they're trying too hard. I guess Amaro's not going to try to sign Harper if he reaches free agency, then.
Diogenes traveled the world with a lamp, searching for Jeremy Affeldt.
Angels owner Arte Moreno says it's his fault the Angels are so lousy.
On Tuesday, Mets manager Terry Collins said "I don't answer to the fans." On Wednesday, he apologized. It's not quite "85% of the $%^&@ world," but New Yorkers are a lot more fragile than Chicagoans.
When the Astros fired their team president, the rumors flew that Nolan Ryan would take over there. Close, but no cigar. Yesterday the Astros named his son Reid Ryan as team president.
For the first time in his career, David Price is going on the disabled list.
Joel Hanrahan had Tommy John surgery. Jonny Venters liked Tommy John surgery so much the first time he had it, he went and had it a second time.
Jon Paul Morosi explains why his prediction that the Yankees would finish last turned out to be so wrong. Or he sort of does. As far as I can tell, it's a combination of great pitching and TWTW.
Two months ago, I was writing about how we'd probably seen the last of Chris Carpenter on a baseball diamond. Now he's back throwing on a mound, hoping that he'll return to the Cardinals starting rotation before the end of the season.
Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail says that if the Blue Jays are going to turn around their season, they've got to do it in the next 22 games. They have won seven of their last 10.
Despite cooling off recently, the Braves are happy with where they are at this point of the season.
Jon Garland is not happy with the Rockies' 100-pitch limit on their starters. Well, I'm not happy with Matt Karchner, Jon.
The Royals think they've figured out why their top prospect Bubba Starling is doing so poorly: He's as blind as a bat. Of course, bats aren't blind, which means Starling isn't either. But they both have eyesight problems. Starling's is correctable. The problem with the vision of bats is that their glasses always fall off when they hang upside down in caves.
The first half-inning of the Royals television broadcast on Wednesday was silent to honor the memory of their late broadcaster, Fred White.
Yoenis Cespedes is taking sliding lessons from Rickey Henderson.
Maybe Ian Kinsler should sign up for that sliding class.
Mariners shortstops are collectively hitting worse than National League pitchers. I can hear the calls for a second DH now.
Al has already touched upon this issue, but progress has been made towards expanding replay in 2014. They still have a long way to go, however. One good piece of news is that the NFL-style "challenge flag" idea seems to be a long shot.
Finally, as Clint Frazier and Colin Moran look to be taken in the first ten picks of the upcoming draft, Jerry Crasnick wonders "Where have all the redheads in baseball gone?"

University of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta says that if someone gives the school $110 million to start a hockey program, he'll do it. Damn, I'm a few bucks short. Maybe we should have a bake sale.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.

Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 16

2013-05-17T04:09:24Z

Iowa Cubs

In a battle of rehabbing starting pitchers, Matt Garza and the Iowa Cubs out-dueled Clayton Richard and the Tucson Padres, 1-0.

Garza was sharp and in control for all six innings he pitched. He allowed only two hits, both in the second inning. The only other baserunner he allowed was by a hit batsman. Garza struck out six and walked none.

Garza threw 75 pitches, 53 of which were strikes. His fastball was between 93-95 on the stadium radar gun, at least. The Cub haven't announced where and when Garza's next start will be, but he told reporters after the game "I don't need another start down here. There's no reason for me to stay in the minor leagues."

Brooks Raley threw the final three innings for his first save. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three.

Iowa had three straight singles from Dave Sappelt, Brian Bogusevic and Josh Vitters to lead off the second inning off of Clayton Richard. Donnie Murphy then hit a sacrifice fly, and that was the only run of the game. Iowa only had two other hits, both singles, outside of the second inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies got back over .500 by outflanking the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 6-4.

Starter Matt Loosen had some control issues, as he walked six batters in the four innings he pitched. In those four innings, he was tagged for four runs on three hits, including a home run. Loosen struck out five.

A.J. Morris got the win in impressive fashion, throwing three innings of relief and retiring all nine batters he faced. Morris struck out three.

Frank Batista pitched a perfect ninth inning for his fifth save. He struck out one.

Most of the Smokies offense came from DH Ty Wright, who hit not one but two two-run home runs tonight. The first was in the first inning and the second was in the third. They were his first two home runs of the year. Wright was 2 for 4.

The Smokies took the lead for good in the sixth inning on an RBI double by catcher Rafael Lopez. Lopez was 2 for 4.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Jonathan Mota was also 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost their third straight game to the Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays), 12-7.

It was a rough start for P.J. Francescon, who gave up ten runs, eight earned, on nine hits over only five innings. He walked five and struck out three.

Chadd Krist had a big night at the plate as he had two double and a single in a 3 for 3 night. All three hits scored at least one run and he had five total RBI on the night. Krist also walked once and scored one run.

First baseman Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fourth of the year. Geiger was 3 for 5 with a double and scored two runs.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars split a day/night double-header with the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), winning the day game 5-0 and losing the night game 8-2.

The Cougars held the Chiefs to only one hit in the first game. Starter Brian Smith pitched four no-hit innings He walked two and struck out two.

Eddie Orozco pitched the next two innings and allowed the only hit, a lead-off single in the fifth, and then he promptly erased the baserunner with a double play. Orozco didn't walk anyone and struck out one as he got his second win. Jeffry Antigua pitched a perfect seventh inning to finish out the one-hitter. He had one strike out.

Second baseman Gioskar Amaya was 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI. He scored once.

Shortstop Marco Hernandez went 3 for 3 with a double and scored twice. Left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once and had one run batted in.

In the second game, the Chiefs shook off their offensive rust as the exploded for six runs in the third inning off starter Michael Heesch. Two errors in the inning meant only two of the six runs were earned. Heesch allowed four hits and he walked two in the three innings he pitched. He did not record a strikeout.

In the second game, shortstop Marco Hernandez continued his big day at the plate with his first home run of the season, a two-run home run in the second that accounted for all of Kane County's runs. Hernandez was 1 for 3.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario had two doubles in a 2 for 3 game.

However, Candelario was at the heart of a brutal defensive game for the Cougars, who committed six errors in the seven-inning game. Candelario made three errors while Amaya, Hernandez and Oliver Zapata each committed one.