Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 14

I'll just mention again the "Cubs Prospect Watch" that Al added to the left sidebar. You can click on the names there and it will take you to the player's page on milb.com. The names there are not the Cubs top ten prospects, although several of them are, but rather prospects whom we think you'd be interested in and are currently playing. Obviously we're not going to give a link to Javier Baez's page since he isn't playing in any games that keep stats yet. But we'll add him (and take someone else out) once he does start to play.

I'd like to remind the Daytona Cubs that it's way too early in the year for me to do a "Move along. Nothing to see here." recap.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were too late for the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 6-5.

Travis Wood started tonight and left in line for the win after allowing three runs over five innings. He gave up eight hits and issued three walks while striking out seven.

Wood was relieved by Nate Robertson, who got in trouble in the seventh inning, giving up three runs and getting the loss. Robertson pitched 1.2 innings and gave up the three runs on six hits, including a lead-off home run to Leonys Martin in the seventh. Robertson walked one and fanned no one.

Every I-Cub had at least one hit tonight. Center fielder Brett Jackson led off the top of the fifth inning with his second home run in as many nights. Jackson also doubled in a 2 for 5 game. Catcher Welington Castillo was 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI.

Shortstop Luis Valbuena was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice. Left fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies accepted the surrender of the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 5-2.

Starter Brooks Raley picked up his first win of the year with seven strong innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Kevin Rhoderick pitched a perfect ninth inning and got his second save. He fanned one General.

The Smokies scored all five of their runs in the second inning, and right fielder Michael Burgess put the Smokies on the scoreboard first with a two-run home run, his second of the season. Burgess was 3 for 4 today with a double.

Second baseman Logan Watkins hit his first home run of the season later in the second inning, also with a man on. Watkins was 1 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were trampled by the Tampa Yankees, 8-0.

Starter Zach Cates allowed five runs in the first inning and three in the fourth inning before exiting after 3.1 innings. Three of the eight runs he allowed were unearned. Cates allowed seven hits. He walked two and struck out two.

The Daytona Cubs only had three hits, all singles.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were ensnared by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 4-3.

Cubs starter Ben Wells allowed three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but settled down and pitched quite well afterwards. Wells pitched 5.2 innings and allowed the three runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked one, although he did hit two batters in that three-run first inning.

After the Chiefs tied the game up in the top of the ninth, Kyler Burke allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth when he allowed a two-out single and a game-ending double. Burke pitched 2.2 innings and allowed the one run on four hits. He walked one and struck out two. It was the first run Burke allowed in 7.2 innings this season.

Most, maybe all, of the Chiefs offense came from second baseman Zeke DeVoss. DeVoss hit his first professional home run in the third inning with a man on. He singled home his third RBI to tie the game in the ninth inning. DeVoss was 2 for 5.

First baseman Paul Hoilman was 2 for 5.