Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 23

I know this is the last thing any of you want to hear tonight, but everyone lost today,

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs couldn't climb the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 8-3.

Brooks Raley made his Triple-A debut and had some problems, giving up runs in four of the five innings he pitched. Raley allowed five total runs on six hits, although two of the runs were unearned. Raley walked three and struck out four.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run in the sixth inning; his 16th of the year. Rizzo was 2 for 4.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 3 for 4 with a double that just missed leaving the yard. Vitters had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies had their picnic baskets stolen by the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks), 8-6.

Nick Struck had a rough start tonight, giving up six runs in only three innings. Struck gave up eight hits, including one home run, and walked two. He added to his misery with two wild pitches. Struck fanned three as his record fell to 4-5.

Left fielder Rebel Ridling hit his fourth home run in four days with a man on in the first inning. It was his fifth home run this year. Ridling was 2 for 5.

Jae-Hoon Ha didn't start for the Smokies tonight for only the second time this year, but he came off the bench to pinch-hit his first home run of the year. It was a solo home run in the seventh inning. Ha stayed in the game and went 1 for 2.

James Adduci was 2 for 5. He scored once and batted two in. First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs sank against the St. Lucie Mets, 8-7.

Frank Del Valle pitched the first five innings and gave up five runs on five hits. Two of the hits were solo home runs and another run scored when Del Valle fielded a ball and threw the ball away so badly that the batter was able to circle the bases. I guess that's a "Little League Home Run." (EDIT: What happened was that Del Valle threw the ball away and it got stuck in the tarp. Torreyes, instead of throwing up his hands to stop the play, reached in to get the ball. This is the ivy ground rule at Wrigley. Cubs manager Brian Harper thought a ball in the tarp was automatically a dead ball, but the umpires disagreed.) Besides that run which the rules say is "unearned," Del Valle allowed a second unearned run when Ronald Torreyes dropped a pop-up. Del Valle walked three and struck out six.

Tony Zych took the loss when he allowed one run of his own and one inherited runner to score in the eighth inning. Zych pitched two innings and gave up three hits. He did not walk anyone and he struck out two.

First baseman Greg Rohan hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning. It was his seventh of the season. Rohan was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Second baseman Ronald Torreyes went 3 for 3 with a walk and a double. He scored once and had two runs batted in.

Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were clear-cut by the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners),11-0.

You don't really want me to recap this one, do you?

All right. Jose Rosario allowed nine runs over 3.2 innings, thanks to nine hits, three of which went over the outfield wall. Rosario walked two and struck out five.

DH Yaniel Cabezas was 2 for 3.