Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 22

I spent most of the day away from baseball, except to watch Ron Santo's induction ceremony and the end of the Yankees/Athletics game. I know the Boise Hawks wore the #10 patch in Ronnie's honor today. Maybe some of the other affiliates did as well.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were neutralized by the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers), 9-5.

Chris Volstad pitched the first five innings and he allowed six runs on nine hits. One of the six runs was unearned. Volstad walked one and struck out three as his record fell to 2-5.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to cut the Isotopes' lead to 6-4. It was his 15th home run of the season. Vitters went 2 for 4.

After Frankie De La Cruz allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach, catcher Welington Castillo hit a solo home run off of former Cub Angel Guzman. It was Castillo's fifth home run. He was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies split against the Chattanooga Lookouts, losing the game suspended from yesterday 12-11 in eleven innings and winning today's regularly scheduled game, 8-4.

In yesterday's game, the Smokies busted out for a 7-0 lead after four innings, but a six-run fifth and a run in the sixth inning eliminated the lead. Starting pitcher Dallas Beeler went 4.1 innings and allowed five runs on six hits. Beeler walked three and fanned two.

When the game resumed today, the Smokies scored twice in the top of the ninth, but Kevin Rhoderick couldn't hold the lead, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in the one inning he threw. Then Tennessee re-took the lead 11-10 in the eleventh, but after Casey Harman retired the first two batters in the bottom of the eleventh, he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks to lose the game.

First baseman Justin Bour homered yesterday in the fourth inning with a man on. Bour went 2 for 6 with a double and a walk. Bour scored three runs and had the two runs batted in. He now has nine home runs on the year.

Right fielder Nelson Perez hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the seventh inning and put Tennessee temporarily back on top, 8-7. Perez went 1 for 2 with a walk. He scored twice.

Shortstop Logan Watkins went 3 for 6 including the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the eleventh. Watkins also walked once and scored twice.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha went 2 for 5 with a walk and a run scored. Left fielder Greg Rohan hit two doubles and walked once in a 2 for 5 game. Rohan scored one run and batted one in. Third baseman Junior Lake was 2 for 7.

In the second game, Nick Struck started got his eleventh victory against nine defeat. He pitched five innings and allowed a run on four hits. He did not walk anyone and he struck out two.

The Smokies had an 8-1 lead going to the bottom of the ninth, but Trey McNutt allowed three runs on two hits and two walks before getting the final out of the game.

Third baseman Junior Lake went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI. Lake was also hit bay a pitch. Shortstop Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 with a walk. Watkins also had an RBI and a run scored.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored once run. Second baseman Dustin Harrington was 2 for 4 with a run scored and one batted in.

Daytona Cubs

Rained out in Jupiter. Back home to Daytona to take on Brevard County tomorrow. Very long rocket ship trip.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were grounded by the South Bend Silver Hawks (Diamondbacks), 3-2.

Starting pitcher Starling Peralta took the loss after allowed three runs over six innings. Peralta surrendered six hits, and one of the three runs was unearned. He walked three and struck out one.

Sheldon McDonald threw two perfect innings in relief of Peralta. He struck out three.

All the Chiefs runs came of the bat of third baseman Dustin Geiger, who hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. It was his tenth of the season. Geiger was 1 for 4.

DH Sergio Burruel was 2 for 3.

Shortstop Javier Baez went 0 for 4, ending his hit streak at 16 games. He also made an error that led to the unearned run.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks couldn't shine against the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 8-1.

It was a rough start for James Pugliese, who allowed seven runs on eight hits over only four innings. Pugliese walked two and struck out two.

The Hawks had eight hits and eight of the nine starters had one hit apiece. Right fielder Xavier Batista was 1 for 4 with a double, the Hawks only extra-base hit.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Reds, 6-4.

Jorge Soler hit his first Cubs home run in the fourth inning. Apparently it was a titanic blast that went about 420 feet. He also put a scare into Reds third baseman and second-round pick Tanner Rahier on a hard ground ball that took a bad hop and hit Rahier in the head. He had to be helped off the field, but he did return to the dugout later in the game.

Lendy Castillo threw four scoreless innings in a rehab start. He allowed two hits. He struck out five and didn't walk anyone.