Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 23

If you're not too busy coming up with a nickname for Jeimer Candelario, we're looking for suggestions for a new nickname for Matt Spencer. Spencer has converted from the outfield to the mound which makes his nickname "The Morristown Masher" seem a little odd. I asked the Smokies Radio Network if they had come up with anything (it was their nickname in the first place, although Matt plays for Boise now) and they said they were open to suggestions. So if you've got a new nickname for Matt, leave it in the comments. It would be nice if it had something to do with Morristown or Eastern Tennessee. Just nothing playing on "Volunteers" since Matt actually went to North Carolina and Arizona State.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were run over by the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 4-2.

Chris Volstad started and took the loss. Volstad went six innings and allowed four runs on six hits, including a two-run home run. One of the four runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out four.

Center fielder Brett Jackson led off the bottom of the first inning with his tenth home run this year and second in two days. Jackson was 2 for 5.

Left fielder Ty Wright had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Catcher Juan Apodaca was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored the other Cubs run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies clouded over the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 7-6.

The Smokies had one of those games where they let the bullpen pitch the whole game. Jeffry Antigua started and pitched the first three innings and allowed only two hits. Unfortunately, both hits were second inning solo home runs. They were the only two runs he allowed. Antigua walked three and struck out two.

Casey Weathers took the win because Antigua didn't throw five, but in this case, there was little doubt that Weathers was the most effective pitcher of the night. Weathers threw two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Weathers walked one and struck out four.

Fireman Frank Batista had to come in and get the final out after Kevin Rhoderick allowed two runs in the ninth inning to get the Suns within two. Batista allowed a runner inherited from Rhoderick to score on a single, but then retired the final batter on a fly out. It was his eleventh save this season.

The Smokies had two two-run home runs as part of a six-run third inning. The first was by left fielder Nelson Perez. It was Perez's first home run for the Smokies and twelfth overall. Perez was 1 for 5.

Two batters later, right fielder Mike Burgess cracked his sixth home run with a man on. Burgess was 1 for 4.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He also walked once and scored twice. Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Ha scored once and batted two in. First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with a run batted in.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were bitten by the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), 7-2.

Robert Whitenack had his most successful start since returning from Tommy John Surgery, pitching five shutout innings. He gave up only three hits and he didn't walk anyone. Whitenack struck out three.

The D-Cubs had a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the eighth when the roof came in on A.J. Morris. Morris gave up two hits and two walks without recording an out. All four runners would come around to score when Jeffrey Lorick gave up a bases loaded triple, blowing the save. Lorick finished the inning, but he would allow three runs on two hits and two walks, although one of the two walks was intentional.

Catcher Chad Noble was 2 for 3 with a double. He scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were mugged by the Quad City River Bandits (Cardinals), 4-2.

Gerardo Concepcion started and allowed three runs over 4.1 innings. He gave up five hits, including a home run, and walked three. Concepcion struck out three. Concepcion's record fell to 2-5.

First baseman Paul Hoilman was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run batted in. Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 5 and scored a run.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were stoned by the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 5-4.

Ian Dickson retired the first nine batters he faced tonight. Unfortunately, he got in trouble in the fourth inning. Dickson went 3.2 innings and allowed three runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Roderik Pichardo got the loss in relief. Pichardo pitched 3.1 innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Shorstop Marco Hernandez was 1 for 4 with a double and two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Crushed the Royals, 13-2.

Timothy Saunders was 6 for 6. Izaac Garsez got his first professional hit.