Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 29

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blown away by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 6-3 in ten innings.

Starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. One of the two runs was unearned, but it was the result of his own error, so it seems earned to me. Lopez struck out five Zephyrs and walked only one.

The Cubs had a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but Michael Bowden allowed a run on two hits and two walks to tie the score. He only pitched the ninth inning.

Jay Jackson came out for the tenth, but he gave up a three-run walk-off home run to Rob Brantley. Jackson allowed a double and a walk before that. He struck out the only batter he retired.

Catcher Welington Castillo hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning that tied the game at two apiece. It was Castillo's sixth home run for Iowa, eighth home run in the minors and ninth overall when you count the one in Chicago. Castillo was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Left fielder Jim Adduci was 3 for 5.

Tennessee Smokies

Coming home to take on Billy Hamilton and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in a double-header tomorrow. It's Tennessee's first ever game against Pensacola, which is a new franchise in the Southern League, replacing the Carolina Mudcats.

Quick preview: The Smokies have stolen 68 bases so far this season. Billy Hamilton has 115 by himself. Montgomery leads the Southern League with 120 steals.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs sent the Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) down to Davy Jones' Locker, 12-7.

Matt Loosen pitched the first five innings and improved his record to 10-3 despite allowing five runs. He surrendered six hits and one of the five runs was unearned. He walked one and struck out three.

The third save of the year by A.J. Morris came after he bailed out Scott Weismann in the eighth inning and then pitched the ninth. He walked the first batter he faced, but then ended the inning when shortstop Timothy Saunders and second baseman Ronald Torreyes turned a nifty double play. In the 1.2 innings he worked, Morris did not allow a hit. He only issued the one walk and did not strike anyone out.

Torreyes was 3 for 4 with a walk and a hit by pitch. He scored two runs and had two RBI.

DH Rafael Lopez hit a home run in the top of the ninth to give Daytona some insurance. The solo home run was Lopez's second this year. He was 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored twice.

Left fielder John Andreoli retook the Florida State League stolen base lead from departed teammate Matthew Szczur when he stole three bases tonight. Two of the three steals were of third base. He now has 40 steals on the year. Andreoli was 2 for 5 with a walk. He stole two bases.

Right fielder Elieser Bonne was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. He also stole his 19th base of the year. Bonne scored one run and batted one in.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs ran over the Beloit Snappers (Twins), 10-6.

Starter Yao-Lin Wang pitched a full four innings for the first time this season. Wang allowed two runs on three hits, but mainly on the two-run home run he allowed in the fourth inning. He walked one and struck out one.

The Chiefs led 9-0 after three innings, but Justin Berg struggled as he continues his comeback from Tommy John Surgery. Berg allowed four runs on four hits over 2.1 innings, allowing Beloit back into the game. Berg walked one and struck out two.

Larry Suarez was awarded the win because Wang did not pitch five innings. Suarez threw 1.2 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and he walked two. Suarez struck out three.

Third baseman Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. It was his eleventh this season. Geiger also hit a two-run double in the first inning. He was 2 for 4 with four total runs batted in. Geiger scored twice.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was a perfect 3 for 3 with two walks. He scored once and had two RBI. Left fielder Wes Darvill was 2 for 5 with one run scored and one knocked in.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks won their second straight 1-0 game over the Tri-City Dust Devils. (Rockies) It was the first back-to-back shutouts for Boise since 2006.

It was the second straight scoreless start for Ian Dickson. He allowed just three hits over five innings. Dickson walked two and struck out four.

Hunter Ackerman had maybe the rarest save of all: a four-inning save in a 1-0 game. Ackerman retired the first ten batters he faced until a one-out single in the ninth, which was the only baserunner he allowed. Ackerman struck out six.

The only run came on a third-inning home run by second baseman Gioskar Amaya. It was his fifth home run of the season. Amaya was 2 for 3 with a walk.

First baseman Rock Shoulders was 2 for 4 with a double.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Reds, 7-3.

Dillon Maples made his professional debut tonight and threw one inning without allowing a hit. The bad news was that he allowed one run after walking two, hitting one batter and throwing a wild pitch. He struck out one.