Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 18

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were stung by the Salt Lake Bees (Angels), 5-4 in ten innings.

Frankie De La Cruz turned in a quality start, allowing just two runs over 6.2 innings. One of the runs was even unearned. De La Cruz allowed but four hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Scott Maine entered the game with the score tied in the ninth inning and while he walked two, he got out of it without any damage. But then he also pitched the tenth inning, where he gave up two runs and got the loss. In Maine's two innings, he was charged with two runs on three hits and two walks. Maine struck out two.

Right fielder Alfredo Amezaga was 1 for 4 with his third home run of the year. It was a solo shot with one out in the bottom of the third. Amezaga also walked once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were chopped by the Mississippi Braves, 4-2.

Nick Struck started and took the loss. He went 6.1 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk. Struck struck out four.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4. Catcher Luis Flores was 1 for 2 with two runs batted in. One was on a sacrifice fly.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs doubled up on the Palm Beach Cardinals, 8-4.

Frank Del Valle got off to a rocky start. He allowed four runs in the first inning, although three of the four runs were unearned. Those were the last runs the D-Cubs allowed all night. Del Valle improved his record to 3-1 with six innings tonight. He was touched for six hits. Del Valle struck out eight and walked just two.

Scott Weismann pitched the final two innings without allowing a run for his first save as a professional. Weismann surrendered three hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out one.

Third baseman Greg Rohan swung the big bat tonight with two doubles in a 3 for 4 game. Rohan scored twice and had two runs batted in. His glove wasn't so great though, as he committed two errors.

First baseman Richard Jones went 3 for 4 with a double and three runs batted in. Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.

Center fielder Matthew Szczur was 2 for 5 with a run scored. He also stole two bases to give him a league-leading 18 steals.

Catcher Micah Gibbs was activated from extended spring training today and went 0 for 5. I didn't get nearly as many questions about Gibbs as I did about Junior Lake, but for those of you who did ask about Gibbs, he's in Daytona now.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were turned to sawdust by the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 8-2.

Jose Rosario started and got the loss, although he pitched pretty effectively. Rosario allowed two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. He was impressive in that he struck out nine and only walked one.

Hunter (Don't Call Him Exene) Cervenka made his Chiefs debut and got hammered for four runs in 1.2 innings, but three of the four runs were unearned. Cervenka gave up three hits and two walks. He did not strike anyone out.

DH Rafael Lopez was 2 for 4 and scored once.