Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 9

Three very impressive pitching performances down on the farm tonight. Two of them were even by Cubs pitchers.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs split a double-header with the Nashville Sounds (Brewers) for the second straight day, winning the first game 1-0 and dropping the second 3-2.

Brooks Raley didn't need much help in the first game as he threw a seven-inning complete game shutout. He allowed six hits and didn't walk anyone. Raley struck out six.

Shortstop Matt Tolbert hit his first home run of the year in the first inning, and Raley made the one-run lead hold up. Tolbert was 2 for 3.

Right fielder Dave Sappelt was 2 for 2 with a walk. Center fielder Brett Jackson went 0 for 4, ending his 17 game on base streak. I shouldn't have mentioned it yesterday.

In the second game, Esmailin Caridad got pressed into a start since the I-Cubs were playing back-to-back doubleheaders. Caridad went four and allowed two runs on two hits. He walked three and fanned three.

Ty'Relle Harris allowed only one hit over two innings of relief. Unfortunately,, it was a home run by Jay Gibbons. Harris didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Ty Wright was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI in the second game.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies won their sixth straight game, downing the Mississippi Braves, 6-4.

Starter Dallas Beeler went five innings tonight and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out one.

Frank Batista gave up the game-tying home run in the top of the eighth inning. But when the Smokies scored twice in the bottom of the inning, Batista then threw a scoreless ninth to get the win. Batista allowed one run on three hits over two innings. He did not have a walk or a strikeout.

Catcher Mike Brenly came off the bench tonight to hit two doubles in two at-bats, with the second one scoring the fifth and sixth runs.

First baseman Rebel Ridling hit his seventh home run in the third inning with a man on. Ridling was 1 for 4.

Right fielder Mike Burgess was 2 for 4 and scored once. Left fielder Nate Samson was 3 for 4 and scored twice.

Welington Castillo caught the first five innings of tonight's contest in a rehab start. Unfortunately, the Braves pitcher wanted nothing to do with him and walked him all three times he came to the plate. Twelve of the fourteen pitches that Castillo saw were balls.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were driven down by the Tampa Yankees, 7-0.

Frank Del Valle started and allowed three runs over five innings. He surrendered four hits, including one home run, and one of the three runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out four.

Tampa pitcher Shane Green retired all 18 Daytona hitters he faced in tonight's game before getting pulled. Daytona managed three singles off the Yankees pen.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs hunted down the Kane County Cougars (Royals), 4-1 for their fifth straight win.

Kyler Burke was magnificent tonight as he retired the first fifteen batters he faced before giving up a lead-off single in the sixth. Burke went seven innings and allowed only two hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out nine.

Luis Liria pitched a perfect ninth inning and picked up his second save. He struck out one.

DH Anthony Giansanti was 3 for 5. Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 1 for 2 with three walks. He scored once and stole a base.

First baseman Paul Hoilman was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored one time and knocked one in. Shortstop Wes Darvill was also 2 for 4 with a double.