Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 6

You know I'm watching too many Cubs games when my four-year old daughter starts singing "Save big money at Menards." The nearest Menards to our house is 1200 miles away in Casper, Wyoming.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got zapped by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 12-4.

Starter Jay Jackson had trouble keeping the ball inside the park today as he gave up a pair of home runs in only four innings. He took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits and four walks. He struck out three.

Jeff Beliveau and Frank Batista both had rough days as each allowed three runs in one inning of relief. In fact the only Cub pitcher who threw a scoreless inning was Jonathan Mota, who was just promoted from Tennessee this morning. Oh, and in case you didn't know, normally he plays shortstop. Mota gave up one hit but didn't walk anyone and struck out one in the ninth inning.

Center fielder Brett Jackson led off the bottom of the first inning with his third home run of the season. Jackson was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored two runs and had just the one run batted in.

Shortstop Luis Valbuena was 2 for 4 and scored once. Second baseman Alfredo Amezaga was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were vassalized by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 4-2.

Brooks Raley started out strong and kept Birmingham off the board for five innings, but he got in trouble in his sixth and final inning. He finished with six innings pitched, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Casey Weathers relieved Raley and took the loss. He pitched the seventh inning and surrendered two runs on two hits and a walk. Weathers had one strikeout.

Shortstop Junior Lake made his season debut today and led off the game with a double. He also tripled in a 2 for 4 effort. So now everyone can stop asking me what happened to him.

Second baseman Elliot Soto went 2 for 3 with two walks. Soto batted in one run.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs nailed the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins), 5-4.

Austin Kirk only got a no-decision to show for an impressive performance on the mound this afternoon. Kirk pitched seven innings and allowed only two runs on six hits. He did not issue a walk and he fanned three.

Tony Zych allowed a run in the top of the ninth, but picked up the win anyway when Daytona scored in the bottom of the inning. Zych allowed a run on two hits over 1.1 innings of relief. He did not walk anyone and struck out one.

The Cubs won the game when shortstop Arismendy Alcantara tripled home Matt Szczur in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was Alcantara's second triple of the game. He went 2 for 5 with two runs batted in. He also scored once and stole a base.

Szczur was 1 for 4 with a walk and his league-leading 16 stolen base on the season.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were bushwacked by the Quad City River Bandits (Cardinals), 9-2.

Michael Jensen had his second straight poor start as he allowed five runs on five hits over 4.1 innings. One of the five runs was ruled unearned. He walked one and struck out four.

Shortstop Wes Darvill went 2 for 5 and knocked one run in. DH Rafael Lopez went 2 for 5.

Third baseman Brad Zapenas was 1 for 1 with a double and three walks. He scored once.

First baseman Paul Hoilman extended his hitting streak to 19 games with an RBI single in the fifth inning. He was 1 for 4