Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 5

Welcome back to the minor league wrap. If you're new here, every night I recap the games of the Cubs minor league franchises. This is not a "Prospect Watch," because I try to cover all the Cubs minor leaguers, not just the top prospects. Obviously the top prospects get a little more attention because they're usually playing every day and hopefully doing big things, but when a minor league player does well in a game, I'm going to tell you about it no matter who he is. It's my way of thanking all those young men who are trying to entertain us for very little money while they chase their dreams.

If you have information about the Cubs minor leaguers or have a question that you want to ask, you can contact me at the link on the left. If you're a minor leaguer yourself or the relative of one, I'd love to hear from you too. You can also follow me on Twitter at @Cubsminorswrap, When I'm home and following the games (which isn't every night but it is a lot of them), you'll get updates and commentaries on the games as they happen.

I'll get you an Iowa Cubs season preview tomorrow.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs slowed down the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 5-3.

Randy Wells started tonight and got the win. Wells went six innings and allowed only two hits, but both of them left the yard: a two-run home run by Michael Bianucchi in the second inning and a solo shot by Julio Borbon in the sixth. Wells walked three Lil' Rangers and struck out two.

Manuel Corpas relieved Wells and threw two shutout innings before Scott Maine pitched the ninth inning and got the save. Maine did not allow a hit. He walked one and struck out two.

It was a big coming out party for new Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo had two singles in a 2 for 4 evening. One of those singles in the third inning scored the first I-Cub run of the season. He also stole a base.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBI. He scored once and also stole a base. Left fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 4 with an RBI sac fly. He scored twice. He only had one stolen base.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies got in the eyes of the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 4-1.

Starting pitcher Nick Struck was dominating tonight as he picked up the win with six strong innings. He allowed only one run on four hits. He only walked one and struck out ten.

Kevin Rhoderick threw two shutout innings of relief before giving way to "Fireman" Frank Batista, who threw a perfect ninth for the save. He struck out one.

First baseman "Big Bad" Justin Bour hit the Cub organization's first home run of the season, a solo blast in the eighth innings. Bour was 3 for 5 with two RBI.

Second baseman Logan Watkins went 3 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored once and had one RBI. Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a double. He also scored once and had one RBI. Left fielder Jim Adduci went 2 for 4 with a walk.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were shipwrecked by the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 11-4.

Starter Matt Loosen didn't make it out of the first inning, allowing one hit and issuing four walks and hitting one batter before getting pulled. He only retired one hitter. Loosen was lucky to only be charged with three runs.

Left fielder Rubi Silva was 3 for 4 and scored a run. Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 4 with a double. Alcantara had one run batted in and he scored once. Second baseman Ronald Torreyes was 2 for 5.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs took a bite out of the Beloit Snappers (Twins), 5-2.

Michael Jensen had a successful season debut and got his first professional "W." Jensen pitched five shutout innings allowing only two hits and a walk. He struck out two. He did hit two batters.

Jeffrey Lorick pitched the final two scoreless innings for the save. Lorick gave up a hit and a walk while fanning three.

The Chiefs got four singles to lead off the third inning and eventually cashed them all in to take a 4-0 lead they would never relinquish. Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen went 2 for 3 with a triple. He scored once and had one RBI. Third baseman Wes Darvill was 2 for 4 and scored a run.