Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 31

I've had a really long two days and frankly, I'm exhausted. Both dealing with the deadline and some urgent family business (don't worry, nothing bad, but it had to be done today) had me working with very little rest. More than Brett got after staying up all night, but not enough for my aging body. I promise to write up a review of the prospects that the Cubs got in trades tomorrow morning. (Morning for me. Probably early afternoon for you.) If I did it tonight, I'm afraid it would look like a Siberian Yak had mistook my laptop keyboard for a scratching post. I'm going to be amazed if tonight's wrap is coherent.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were knocked down by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 5-3.

Starter Frankie De La Cruz took the loss after he allowed three runs over four innings. He only gave up two hits, but one of those was a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Del La Cruz walked two and struck out three.

Second baseman Alfredo Amezaga put the Cubs ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning with a solo home run. It was his fifth home run this season. Amezaga was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Right fielder Dave Sappelt doubled twice in a 3 for 4 game. He also stole third base and scored two runs.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies game against Pensacola was suspended by rain in the fourth inning. The game will be finished before tomorrow's regularly-scheduled game. The Smokies lead 2-1 with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the fourth.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs dismissed the Fort Myers Miracle (Twins), 5-4.

Austin Kirk may not have had his best stuff tonight, but he improved his record to 6-3 after going five innings and allowed four runs on four hits. He walked five and struck out five.

A.J. Morris pitched a scoreless ninth inning and got his fourth straight save. Morris allowed a lead-off single, but got the next three hitters on two strike outs and a ground out to end the game.

Shortstop Timothy Saunders was 3 for 4 with a double. He had one RBI and scored once. Left fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 5 with a triple. He scored one run and batted one in.

Third baseman Matthew Cerda was 2 for 4 with a double. Second baseman Ronald Torreyes continued his torrid July by going 2 for 5 with a double. He knocked two runners home and scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were mugged by the Quad City River Bandits (Cardinals), 5-1.

Starter Michael Jensen allowed only two runs over five innings and was rewarded with the hard-luck loss. Jensen surrendered three hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Shorstop Javier Baez was 2 for 4. He scored the lone Peoria run. Left fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 4 with a double.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks beat the Spokane Indians (Rangers), 10-9 when Jeimer Candelario hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth.

It was the Boise debut for this year's 12th round pick Justin Amlung. Amlung pitched the first two innings without allowing a run. He gave up one hit and issued one walk. He struck out two.

Felix Pena pitched the next five innings and allowed two runs on five hits. Pena walked one and struck out two.

The Hawks had a 9-2 lead after seven, but Matt Iannazzo gave up four hits and a walk while retiring only one batter. He exited with one out and two on and Eddie Orozco allowed both of them to score on two wild pitches and a ground out on the first batter. Iannazzo ended up being charged with six runs, five earned.

Orozco blew the save when he allowed another run in the ninth inning, but ended up getting the win when Candelario broke the tie in the bottom of the ninth. Orozco pitched 1.2 innings and allowed a run on two hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Third baseman Candelario was 3 for 4 tonight with that game-ending double. He scored one run and had three total runs batted in.

First baseman Dan Vogelbach hit a three-run home run in the third inning. It was his first Boise home run and eighth overall. Vogelbach was 1 for 4.

Third baseman Stephen Bruno was 3 for 5. He scored two runs and knocked two home.

Left fielder Dong-Yub Kim was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored two runs. Center fielder Trey Martin was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Royals, 8-2.