Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 13

I was on the Fantasy Nomad podcast tonight, which I didn't realize was live on the internet until I called in. But everything went smoothly and Michael and Incarcerated Bob were gracious hosts who let me ramble. They also didn't ask me about Junior Lake, which I appreciated very much. But I talked for about a half an hour about the Cubs and the minor league system. So if you're tired of reading everything I write and would rather listen to what I have to say, you can listen to the podcast here.

I also want to thank Mick Gillispie for the nice things he said about me and Bleed Cubbie Blue on the Smokies broadcast tonight. I've said this before, but I think Mick, Cody, Roger and the rest of the Smokies Radio Team do major league quality work. You should also check out their website at least once a week if not more, where they have photos, interviews and videos of the Smokies players.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blown away by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 5-2.

Starter Rodrigo Lopez took the loss, giving up three run on eight hits over six innings. Lopez actually pitched well before the sixth inning, when he gave up three straight two-out singles. Lopez did not walk anyone and struck out six.

Third baseman Luis Valbuena is rumored to be heading to Chicago to replace an injured Ian Stewart. If so, he had a good last day, going 2 for 4 with a double. He had one RBI.

Geovany Soto caught five innings and was 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies lanced the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 6-3.

Dae-Eun Rhee started and took the win, allowing three runs over five innings. Two of the runs scored on a pair of solo home runs in the third inning. He gave up eight total hits. Rhee walked one and fanned four.

Fireman Frank Batista pitched two scoreless innings for his ninth save. He allowed two hits and walked one. Batista also struck out one Baron.

Center fielder James Adduci hit his fifth home run of the season with a man on in the fifth inning. Adduci went 1 for 4.

First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with a double. Bour had an RBI and scored a run.

Shorstop Junior Lake tripled and scored in the fifth inning. Lake was 2 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs game at Brevard County was suspended after a fierce storm hit. The D-Cubs trail 3-1 after three innings.

I am going to complain a bit here. The two-run home run that Cubs pitcher Robert Whitenack gave up in the bottom of the third inning was aided by 60 mph wind gust. Game was suspended shortly after that, since they couldn't even get the tarp on the field.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs cracked the shell of the Beloit Snappers (Twins), 7-1, keeping their slim first-half playoff hopes alive.

Great start tonight by Jose Rosario, who allowed only one run on three hits over 6.1 innings. Even that run scored after he left the game. Rosario walked two and struck out three.

It wasn't a save situation, but Hunter Cervenka pitched a perfect ninth inning to compete the "Reliever's Perfect Game." Cervenka has now retired the last 28 batters he's faced. Tonight he had two strikeouts. He's retired 13 of those 28 batters during the streak via the strikeout.

Shortstop Javier Baez crushed his third home run of the year, over the scoreboard and into the trees behind it. It was a solo home run in the third inning. Baez was 2 for 3 with two RBI. He was also hit by a pitch.

Third baseman Dustin Geiger also blasted a solo home run in the seventh inning, his second in six games this season. Geiger was 2 for 5. He scored twice and batted two in.

Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. He scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Yasiel Balaguert went 2 for 4 with a run batted in.