Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 25

After a terrible start, the Daytona Cubs have won four of their last six. It's a start, anyway.

Iowa Cubs

Had a rare, non-travel day off. Probably spent the day at the Des Moines Botanical Center. It's odd because Nashville, whom they play tomorrow, are just coming in from Omaha. It's rare to see an off-day in the Pacific Coast League that isn't dictated by travel plans.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies gave up the fight against the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 5-1.

Starter Brooks Raley took his first loss of the season after allowing four runs over 5.1 innings. Raley gave up seven hits, including a solo home run in the sixth inning that was the last batter he faced. He walked two and struck out five.

Center fielder James Adduci was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored the lone Smokies run. Third baseman Nate Samson had a double in a 2 for 3 game. He walked once.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs speared the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), 6-4.

Frank Del Valle made his season debut this afternoon and pitched the first six innings. He gave up four runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out six as he collected the victory.

Tony Zych pitched the ninth and got his second save, but it was an ugly one. He walked a batter with one out and then after a fly out, gave up a double and another walk to load the bases. Then Threshers second baseman Albert Cartwright crushed a ball to deep center field where Matt Szczur made a terrific over-the-shoulder catch near the wall.

Designated hitter Greg Rohan crushed his fifth home run of the season in the fifth inning with a man on. Rohan was 2 for 4 with three total RBI.

Right fielder Nelson Perez had two doubles in a 2 for 3 game. Perez scored once and batted two men in. He also drew one walk. Left fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Andreoli walked once.

Szczur was 0 for 3, but he walked once, scored twice and stole two bases. He now has ten stolen bases, which easily leads the Florida State League.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were sunk by the Lake County Captains (Indians), 6-3.

This was the US debut for Cuban defector Geraldo Concepcion, the left-handed pitcher the Cubs signed over the winter. It didn't go well. He allowed hits to five of the first six batters he faced, and the one out he recorded was a sacrifice fly. The final hit was a three-run home run to Robel Garcia. After a visit from pitching coach Ron Villone, he settled down and was not scored upon the rest of the way. Concepcion's final line was five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Second baseman Zeke DeVoss cranked a home run in the top of the ninth. The solo blast was his second home run of the year. DeVoss was 2 for 5.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and stole a base. DH Wes Darvill was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 5 and scored once.