Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 31

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs split a double-header with the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), winning game one 4-1 and getting soaked in game two, 10-1.

In the first game, Frankie De La Cruz started and allowed only one run on four hits, but did not get the win because he could only last 4.1 innings. De La Cruz walked four and struck out four.

So the win went to Ryan Rowland-Smith, who faced four batters in relief of De La Cruz and retired all four. He did not have a strike out.

Rafael Dolis got his first save of the year in the minors, although he had four in the majors, of course. Dolis allowed one hit over 1.1 innings. He did not walk anyone and struck out two.

In game one, shortstop Matt Tolbert was 2 for 2 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Juan Apodaca scored once in a 2 for 3 game.

In the second game, starting pitcher Jay Jackson got hit hard for six runs on eight hits, including two home runs, over four innings. Jackson walked one batter and struck out four as he saw his record fall to 2-5.

Shane Lindsey's Cub debut was one he would like to forget. Lindsey allowed one hit and walked four without retiring anyone in relief. That led to four runs allowed.

Center fielder Brett Jackson provided the only offense for the Iowa Cubs off of the Royals' top prospect Mike Montgomery. Jackson hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, which not only put Iowa on the board, but was the first hit the Cubs got off of Montgomery. It was Jackson's sixth home run this year. Jackson went 1 for 2 with a hit-by-pitch in the second game to go with the 1 for 3 with two RBI he had in game one. Jackson also had an outfield assist in the first inning when he threw out a runner trying to score from first base on a double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies knocked the Huntsville Stars (Brewers) out of orbit, 4-1.

Eric Jokisch had an odd start tonight, but in the end he allowed only one run over 6.1 innings. He allowed only one hit, an RBI single in the fifth inning. But Jokisch walked six batters, which is kind of a lot for 6.1 innings. He struck out three.

Brian Schlitter got the final two outs of the seventh inning, and got the win when the Smokies scored in the bottom of the inning. Schlitter did not allow a baserunner and he did not have a strikeout.

Fireman Frank Batista blew away the Stars to get his seventh save, pitching a perfect inning and striking out the side.

Right fielder Mike Burgess put the Smokies on the board with a solo home run in the third inning that went to deep left-center field. Burgess was 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

Ronald Torreyes hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth and the Daytona Cubs stunned the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 7-6.

Austin Kirk started and allowed five runs over the first five innings. Kirk gave up eight hits and walked two. He struck out four.

Knuckleballer Joseph Zeller pitched two scoreless innings of relief, allowing only one hit. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Jeffrey Lorick pitched a perfect top of the ninth inning to get the win. He did not strike anyone out.

Second baseman Torreyes's home run was his first of the season. He went 2 for 4 tonight and scored twice.

Earlier in the game, right fielder Nelson Perez cranked a grand slam as part of a six-run third inning. It was his eighth home run of the year. Perez was 1 for 4.

Greg Rohan was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once. Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 4 with a run scored and one batted in.

Catcher Chad Noble was 2 for 4 and scored a run. Right fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 3 with a triple and a sacrifice fly.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were swarmed by the Burlington Bees (Athletics), 3-2.

It was a solid start for Gerardo Concepcion tonight as he allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. Concepcion walked four and struck out four.

Austin Reed got the loss with two innings of relief. He gave up a solo home run in the seventh inning that was the eventual game-winner. Reed allowed three total hits. He did not walk a batter and fanned one.

DH Yasiel Balaguert hit a two-run single in the sixth inning to account for all of the Chiefs' scoring. Balaguert was 1 for 4.

Catcher Yaniel Cabezas went 2 for 3 with a walk.