Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 13

The Iowa Cubs put a bad case of trisaidekaphobia on the Express pitching staff.

New Boise Hawks hitting coach Bill Buckner has shaved off his mustache for the first time in 40 years. Apparently the Cubs have a policy against it.

Before you read the Iowa score, remember: Bryan LaHair is doing really well in Chicago.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs hung on to derail the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 6-5.

Jay Jackson got his first win of the season by allowing two run over five innings. He surrendered five hits and walked one. He struck out four.

The I-Cubs looked to have an easy win with a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Esmailin Caridad walked the first two batters of the inning. He was replaced by Scott Maine, who promptly hit the next batter, then walked in a run and then hit another batter to make it 6-4 before he finally retired a batter with a pop out. Maine then exited for Blake Parker, who got a sac fly and another fly out to end the game and get his first save.

The I-Cubs had that big lead because their big bats decided to get medieval on the ball. DH Anthony Rizzo led the charge, hitting his fourth and fifth home runs in the first nine games of the season. The first home runs was with a man on in the first inning and the second was a sixth inning solo shot. Rizzo was 2 for 4

Catcher Welington Castillo was 3 for 4 with a second-inning solo home run. It was his second this season. Finally center fielder Brett Jackson hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was Jackson's first homer this year. He was 1 for 5.

First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies demobilized the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 4-1.

The Smokies were shut down in this game by Generals pitcher Danny Hultzen (the second pick in the draft last season), who allowed only one hit over his 5.2 innings. But Smokies pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee matched him all the way, allowing only one run on six hits over 6.1 innings. The one run scored on a sixth-inning solo home run that hit the left field foul pole. Rhee didn't walk anyone and struck out four. But he got the win when the Smokies scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Fireman Frank Batista struck out the side in the ninth inning for his fourth save already. Batista did allow a two-out double, but that was his only baserunner.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha had the only hit off of Hultzen, a double to right field that replays showed should have been ruled a home run. Ha was 1 for 1 with two walks and a ht by pitch.

DH Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with a double that scored two runners that Hultzen had left on base. Hultzen had another RBI later to give him three on the night.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs snapped a five-game losing streak and went to town on the Tampa Yankees, 8-4.

Eduardo Figueroa started, went five innings and collected his first win, He allowed only one run on three hits. Figueroa walked one and did not strike anyone out.

Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 4 with a walk and a double. He scored twice and batted one in. Second baseman Rubi Silva was also 2 for 4 with a walk, a double and an RBI, but he only scored one time.

Catcher Chad Noble went 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBI. He scored once.

Both first baseman Greg Rohan and DH Richard Jones went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were bitten by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 5-2.

Starter Jose Rosario pitched five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. Rosario walked two and struck out two. It was his first loss of the season.

Shortstop Marco Hernandez hit his first home run of the season tonight; a sixth-inning solo shot. Hernandez was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.

Left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 4. He also stole a base.