Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 22

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs whupped the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 18-8.

Chris Volstad made his first Iowa start and picked up a win after allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings. Three of those runs came in the sixth inning after Iowa was up 16-1, however. Volstad walked two and struck out six.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo hit his league-leading 15th home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the second inning. It went to the opposite field, as well. Rizzo went 3 for 5 with three RBI. He also scored all five times he came to the plate. (He reached on an error and a fielder's choice)

Second baseman Luis Valbuena also hit his fifth home run of the year in the third inning with Rizzo on base. Valbuena went 3 for 4 with a double, the home run and four runs batted in.

Right fielder Alfredo Amezaga went 2 for 6 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 5 with a double. Vitters scored once and batted one in.

Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs batted in. Left fielder Nate Samson went 2 for 5 and scored three times.

Steve Clevenger had two at-bats at DH in a rehab assignment. He was 1 for 2 and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were dispersed by the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks), 5-4.

Jeffry Antigua started because Brooks Raley was promoted to Iowa and Eric Jokisch had only two days of rest after his promotion from Daytona. Antigua did OK under the circumstances, although he did get the loss. Antigua allowed two runs on six hits over four innings. He did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Shortstop Junior Lake led off the game with his second home run of the season. Lake went 3 for 5, although he made two errors, including one that led to a crucial insurance run in the seventh inning.

First baseman Justin Bour went 3 for 4 and scored once.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs beat the St. Lucie Mets in walk-off fashion for the second day in a row, 6-5 in ten innings.

PJ Francescon made his Florida State League debut a successful one as he went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits. One of the two runs was unearned. Francescon walked one and struck out five.

Hayden Simpson was not so successful, giving up three runs in only one inning of relief. He gave up three hits, walked one and hit one batter. He did not have a strikeout.

A.J. Morris faced six batters in the ninth and tenth innings and retired all six for his first win of the season. Morris struck out one.

With two out in the tenth inning, first baseman Richard Jones singled home Matt Szczur to end the game. Jones was 1 for 5 with two RBI.

Szczur went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Szczur scored twice and batted one runner in. He also stole his league-leading 19th base. After a poor month of April, Szczur is now hitting .313/.384/.484 for May, raising his batting average for the year to .270.

First baseman Greg Rohan hit his sixth home run of the season today. It was with a man on in the fourth inning. Rohan was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Right fielder Nelson Perez led off the bottom of the eighth inning with his seventh home run. Perez went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.

Center fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 4 with his tenth stolen base of the year. That's tied him for sixth in the league.

The last two wins over St. Lucie got the D-Cubs out of last place with an 18-25 record. The most impressive thing, however, was that they beat St. Lucie, who was an unbelievable 34-9 coming into the series. It was the first time all season that the Mets had dropped two games in a single series and only the second time they dropped back-to-back games. The Cubs and the Mets still play two more times at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs drove home to take on Clinton tomorrow night. However, we do have exclusive video of the Chiefs night off in Cedar Rapids.