Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 22

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs made the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) blue, 2-1, snapping their five-game losing streak.

Today's game was all about starting pitcher Chris Rusin, who pitched eight shutout innings and allowed only two hits. He retired the final 11 batters he faced and it would have been 13 if not for an error by Anthony Rizzo. Rusin walked no one and struck out four. He also hit a sacrifice fly to plate the I-Cubs first run. It was his second win of the season.

Blake Parker allowed a run in the ninth, but hung on for his third save. Parker allowed a walk and a hit. He did not have a strikeout.

Second baseman Adrian Cardenas was 2 for 3 with a triple and a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 7-6.

Ryan Searle took the mound to start the game and took his first loss of the year. Searle went four innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. Searle walked one and struck out one.

The Smokies fought to get back into the game and actually had two on with two out in the ninth, but left fielder Rebel Ridling struck out to end the game. But the Smokies never would have gotten back into the game without Ridling, as he went 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. He had one RBI.

Second baseman Logan Watkins went 2 for 5 with a triple. He scored once and had one RBI. First baseman Justin Bour was also 2 for 5 with a run scored and an run batted in. (No triple though.) Jim Adduci was 2 for 2 and scored a run in the ninth inning that got the Smokies to within one run.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs won their third in a row, shooting down the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 6-2.

It was pitching-by-committee this afternoon. Matt Loosen came off the DL after his first disastrous start, but pitched well in that he had two shutout innings. Loosen allowed two hits, walked one and struck out one.

Ty'Relle Harris gave up two runs over two innings, but because of the anachronism that is the pitcher win rule, was credited with his second win of the year. He gave up four hits and issued one walk. He struck out one.

Brett Wallach and Tony Zych both tossed two shutout innings of relief. They both allowed one hit. Wallach walked one and struck out one and Zych struck out two.

Left fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 4 with a triple. He knocked two runners in and scored once.

DH Matt Szczur was 1 for 3 with three stolen bases. He now leads the Florida State League with six steals. Szczur scored once and had one RBI.

Peoria Chief

The Chiefs snapped their four-game losing streak with another impressive pitching performance. The Chiefs put the wrench to the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 2-0.

The Chiefs pitching staff combined for a two-hitter today, led by starting and winning pitcher PJ Francescon. Francescon allowed only one hit over his seven innings of work. He walked one and struck out five.

Jeffrey Lorick allowed the other hit with two out in the ninth inning to put runners on second and third, but he struck out Lugnut Kevin Pillar to end the game. Lorick walked one and struck out two. It was his second save of the year.

Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. He scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch in the sixth inning.