Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 7

I really wish I had better news to report, but as a working member of the press (sort of) it's my duty to report that the Cubs farm teams dropped three out of four. But at least Tennessee and Peoria have winning records to start the season. And everyone has won at least once, which is more than the boys from Chicago can say.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got run over by the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 7-2.

Chris Rusin got the start and he pitched well until the sixth inning, when he fell apart and Round Rock blew the game open. Rusin lasted 5.1 innings and allowed four runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out three. Three of the hits and three of the runs came in that four-run sixth inning.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a double. He also walked once and scored twice. Catcher Blake Lalli went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Just to keep an early theme going, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was 1 for 4 with an RBI single.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were torched for nine runs in the sixth inning and got extinguished by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 10-2.

Starting pitcher Dallas Beeler was effective for five innings, allowing only one run on six hits. Beeler struck out two and didn't walk anyone.

The problems started when Beeler exited after the fifth inning and was replaced by Daniel Berlind, who got tagged with the loss. Berlind allowed eight runs on seven hits and a walk while only recording two outs. He did not have a strikeout.

Right fielder Jonathan Mota pitched the ninth inning of this game and pitched a perfect inning, recording three outs in the air. Mota was 1 for 4 with an RBI with the bat.

Second baseman Logan Watkins has had at least two hits in every game this season so far. Tonight he was 2 for 5 and he scored a run. Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs drowned against the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 1-0.

Hayden Simpson took the mound tonight and had was might have been the most successful start of his professional career, even though he took the loss. Simpson went 4.1 innings and allowed one run on five hits, but all the damage was done in a fourth inning solo home run to Cody Hawn. Simpson didn't walk anyone and struck out two. According to the D-Cubs announcers, Simpson was hitting upper 80s on radar gun in the stadium. That's progress for Simpson, although he still has a way to go.

Left fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 3 with a walk. That was half of Daytona's four hits.

Peoria Cubs

The Peoria Chiefs salvaged the day by knocking the Beloit Snappers (Twins) out of their shells, 6-2. Actually, since the Chiefs game was finished first, I guess you could say the other three teams ruined the day.

The Chiefs starting pitching continued to be solid this season as Jose Rosario pitched 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on only two hits. Rosario walked three and struck out two as he collected his first win of the year.

The Chiefs bullpen shut Beloit down the rest of the way as the only two baserunners they allowed were hit batsmen. Yao-Lin Wang pitched 1.2 innings, and Austin Reed and Andrew McKirahan each threw a scoreless inning.

Left fielder Eduardo Gonzalez hit his first professional home run when he cracked a solo home run in the fifth. He also ruined the "Guess which Chief will hit the first home runs of the season" contest as no one guessed him. Gonzalez went 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Third baseman Brad Zapenas was 2 for 5 and scored twice. Catcher Taylor Davis went 2 for 4 with an RBI double.