Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 26

Don't let anyone tell you the Cubs are on a losing streak. Both Iowa and Daytona won tonight.

Last year's first round pick Javier Baez is on his way to Peoria. He's expected to play his first game on Monday. If you want to see him but can't get to Peoria, the Chiefs will be at Kane County next Saturday through Monday, June 2,3 and 4.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs plucked the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 6-4.

Frankie De La Cruz pitched the first five innings and gave up four runs on four hits. One of the four runs was unearned. He walked four and struck out five.

Ryan Rowland-Smith took the win with two scoreless inning in relief of Del Valle. Smith surrendered two hits, but he did not walk anyone and struck out two.

Mike McDougal pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save. The only baserunner was a two-out walk. McDougal did not strike anyone out.

The I-Cubs hit four solo home runs tonight, with one each going to the four that you most likely wanted to hit one. The first was hit in the first inning by catcher Steve Clevenger, who is still on a rehab assignment in Iowa. Clevenger went 3 for 3 with a double and the home run. He scored twice and just had the one run batted in.

Center fielder Brett Jackson slammed his first home run since May 17 in the fifth inning. Jackson also tripled in a 2 for 4 night. Jackson scored twice and had two runs batted in. Jackson now has five home runs this season.

With the score tied at four in the eighth inning, first baseman Anthony Rizzo gave the I-Cubs their first lead of the game with his league-leading 17th home run of the season. Rizzo was 2 for 4.

Finally, third baseman Josh Vitters added an insurance run in the ninth with his fifth home run of the year. Vitters entered the game in the sixth inning on a double-switch and went 1 for 2.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were chased up a tree by the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 3-0.

Trey McNutt started and took the loss after allowing two runs over four innings. He surrendered five hits and walked two. He struck out one.

Former Tennessee Volunteer Ty'Relle Harris made his first appearance for the Smokies since being hit by a car in Knoxville last June. He pitched two scoreless innings. He gave up no hits and walked one, but promptly erased the baserunner with a double play. Harris struck out two in his inspirational return.

The Smokies couldn't do much of anything against BayBears staff, led by starter and top Diamondbacks prospect Tyler Skaggs. Right fielder Michael Burgess went 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs reeled in the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), 3-1.

Matt Loosen was tremendous tonight as he got his second win of the season. Loosen went six innings and gave up only one run on a solo home run in the fifth. He allowed four total hits. Loosen struck out seven and did not walk anyone.

Scott Weismann pitched the ninth inning and allowed an infield single with two out, but nothing else for his second save. Weismann struck out two.

Second baseman Rubi Silva went 2 for 4 with a triple and a run scored.

Center fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 3 and scored twice. He also stole two more bases tonight, giving him 12, tying him for fourth in the league with his teammate Arismendy Alcantara. The both trail teammate Matt Szczur, who leads the league with 19.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs tasted the venom of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 11-3.

Sigh.

Gerardo Concepcion got hammered again tonight as he allowed eight runs on twelve hits in only 4.2 innings. Only five of the eight runs were ruled as earned, but since it was his error that kept the inning alive for a three-run home run by Gregory Hopkins, that's little consolation. Hopkins, in fact, hit two home runs and doubled in his three trips to the plate against Concepcion.

Concepcion waled one and struck out four. He threw two wild pitches, too.

Felix Pena made his season debut in relief of Concepcion and gave up three runs in two innings.

Shortstop Marco Hernandez hit his second home run of the season with the bases empty in the third inning. Hernandez also tripled in a 2 for 3 game. He scored twice.

Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Oliver Zapata was 2 for 3.