Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 11

I'm thinking that Major League Baseball needs to put a team in Honolulu. That way we have another game to watch when the West Coast games are done.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Oaks cast a long shadow over the Albuquerque Dukes (Dodgers), 5-1. (Tonight was "Turn Back the Clock" Night in Des Moines. That's the Iowa Cubs and the Albuquerque Isotopes for those of you stuck in the 21st Century.)

Casey Coleman started tonight and picked up his first win. Coleman allowed only one run on three hits over five innings. Coleman walked three and struck out three. Coleman was also 2 for 3 with an RBI with the bat.

Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Coleman. He allowed two hits and no walks, although he did hit a batter. Rowland-Smith struck out three.

Catcher Welington Castillo had a big night going 3 for 3 with a double and his first home run of the season. It was a solo home run in the third inning. Castillo scored three times and also walked once.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. Vitters scored once and knocked two in. Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

As much fun as "Turn Back the Clock" night was, I have to point out that the Iowa Oaks never played the Albuquerque Dukes. Iowa was in the old American Association when they were the Oaks. Its too bad they're not doing a throwback game against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (89ers) or the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals).

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies got up early today but forgot to wake up their bats as they were outmaneuvered by the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 2-1.

The Smokies game started at 11:30 this morning (or 8:30 am on the West Coast) and Trey McNutt caught the Generals napping. He pitched four innings without allowing a run, although he was pitching out of trouble a lot. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five.

Kevin Rhoderick entered the game in the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1. He gave up a solo home run in the ninth to take the loss. Rhoderick pitched 1.2 innings and gave up two hits total. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

The Smokies lone run scored in the first inning when Logan Watkins, Jae-Hoon Ha and Rebel Ridling hit consecutive singles to load the bases and Justin Bour hit a sacrifice fly. The Smokies would only get three more hits the rest of the way.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost their fourth game in a row, falling 5-1 to the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Starter Eric Jokisch allowed five runs on seven hits over six innings. Two of those hits were a pair of of two-run home runs. One of the runs was unearned as the I-Cubs committed four errors tonight, two by shortstop Arismendy Alcantara and two by catcher Sergio Burruel.

Left fielder Rubi Silva was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored the lone D-Cub run. First baseman Greg Rohan was 2 for 4. Center fielder Matt Szczur was 0 for 2 with two walks and a stolen base.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs won their first home game of the season by bringing the Quad City River Bandits (Cardinals) to justice, 5-3.

Michael Jensen allowed three runs in six innings for his second win in as many starts. Jensen surrendered five hits and issued one walk. Jensen struck out five.

Andrew McKirahan got his first professional save by pitching a scoreless ninth. He did allow two singles and hit a batter, but a double-play erased one of those baserunners before he ended the game with a ground out to third.

First baseman Ryan Cuneo hit the big blast, a three-run home run in the fourth inning with the Chiefs down 3-2. It was Cuneo's first home run this year. Cuneo was 2 for 3 and got hit by a pitch. He scored twice.

Shortstop Wes Darvill was 2 for 4 and scored once. Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 5 with a double and he scored a run. Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 4 with an RBI.