Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 24

It took a dramatic comeback in Peoria to keep the Cubs minor leaguers from getting shut out today.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blanked by the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 4-0. It was the first time the I-Cubs have lost a series at home to Memphis since 2007.

Travis Wood got hung with the "L" today despite pitching pretty well overall. He went six innings and allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, over seven innings. Wood walked two and struck out eight.

The I-Cubs got seven hits and four walks, but only one extra base hit and only one with runners in scoring position. Second baseman Luis Valbuena was 2 for 4 with the double. Catcher Welington Castillo was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were smoked out by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 7-5.

Dae-Eun Rhee got off to a bad start as he allowed the first four hitters of the game to get base hits off of him. After that he kind of settled down, but the damage was done and with the help of two errors, the Lookouts scored five runs in the first. Rhee finished the day after five innings, allowing all seven runs on nine hits. Five of the seven runs were earned. Rhee walked one and hit two batters. He struck out five.

Scott Weismann was effective in his first appearance for the Smokies since his promotion from Peoria. He pitched three shutout innings, allowing only two hits along the way and walking no one. He used his defense behind him as he struck out nobody.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 3 for 5 with two doubles.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were strafed by the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 13-5.

Hayden Simpson took the loss after giving up six runs in 4.1 innings. He was pounded for eight hits and wild enough to issue seven walks. One of the runs was unearned. Simpson did have two strikeouts, but he failed to retire two batters in a row the entire game.

Eduardo Figueroa and Brett Wallach weren't much better. In fact, Wallach was worse, giving up five runs over only two innings.

Center fielder Matt Szczur's bat is starting to come alive. Tonight he was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He had one RBI and scored once.

Third baseman Dustin Harrington was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored twice.

Second baseman Rubi Silva was 2 for 5 with a triple. He scored once and had one RBI, although not on that lead-off triple in the fourth inning. He was stranded that time.

Catcher Sergio Burruel was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were blanked by the Lansing Lugnuts for eight innings, But they scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth and ended the game on a grand slam by Paul Hoilman to jack the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 6-2.

Kyler Burke was impressive in his first professional start. Burke pitched six shutout innings and allowed three hits, only one of which left the infield. He walked one and struck out four.

Ben Wells relieved Burke after six innings and shut the Lugnuts down in the seventh and eighth innings. But he got touched for two runs in the top of the ninth and was looking at the loss before the Chiefs stormed back in the bottom of the inning. Wells's final line was three innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out two and didn't walk anyone. It was Wells's first win of the season.

The Chiefs were getting hits before the ninth inning, but completely failed to produce with runners in scoring position. But after the first two hitters in the ninth singled, Zeke DeVoss sacrificed and was safe on an error by the pitcher. Then shortstop Wes Darvill cracked a double down the right field line to tie the score. After Ryan Cuneo was intentionally walked to load the bases, first baseman Hoilman cracked a grand slam over the left field fence. It was Hoilman's first home run of the season. He was 2 for 5 in the game.

Catcher Yaniel Cabezas and center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen were both 2 for 4. They both scored on Darvill's double in the ninth inning.

Third baseman Brad Zapenas and left fielder Eduardo Gonzalez were both 2 for 4.