Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 4

And a happy Independence Day to all of you out there. Once again, I spent most of the day with my family rather than the minor leagues. I'll be back to work tomorrow.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs felt the thunder of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 11-2.

Rodrigo Lopez got into the holiday spirit by letting the Storm Chasers light up the scoreboard, allowing eight runs on eleven hits over 4.1 innings. Two of the eight runs were unearned. At least none of the rockets went over the outfield fence. Lopez walked one and struck out one as his record fell to 2-4.

Right fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with both I-Cub RBI. He also stole third base twice. Left fielder Matt Tolbert was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were lost in the shadows of the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 4-3.

Smokies starter Dallas Beeler took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, over 4.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and walked one. Beeler struck out three Suns.

I've got to give some credit to Suns starting pitcher Zach Neal, who found out he was going to start about an hour before the game when scheduled starter Rob Rasmussen got traded to Houston for Carlos Lee. Neal held the Smokies to two runs over seven innings. Both of those runs came courtesy of third baseman Greg Rohan, who hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. It was Rohan's first Double-A home run and thirteenth of the season. Rohan was 1 for 4.

First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with an RBI single with two-out in the bottom of the ninth. Second baseman Elliot Soto went 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were betrayed by the Tory loyalist Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-2.

Starter Robert Whitenack gave up a pair of two-run home runs that put the Cubs behind and they never recovered. Whitenack allowed five total runs, one of which was unearned, on four hits over 3.1 innins. Whitenack walked two and struck out five.

Left fielder Rubi Silva, first baseman Rebel Ridling and second baseman Ronald Torreyes were each 2 for 4 with a double. Silva scored once and Ridling knocked two home.

Right fielder Elieser Bonne was a plain old 2 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs snapped their seven-game losing streak by liberating the Burlington Bees (Athletics), 8-2.

Michael Jensen got back on track after two poor starts by going six innings and allowing only two runs on five hits. One of the two runs was unearned. He didn't walk anyone and he struck out five. Jensen's record improved to 8-3.

Third baseman Dustin Geiger hit two home runs tonight, a solo home run in the first inning and a two-run blast in the sixth. Geiger now has five home runs on the season. Geiger went 2 for 3 with a walk and he scored three times.

DH Oliver Zapata added to the fireworks with a three-run home run in the eighth. Zapata was 2 for 4 and now has five home runs on the season. He also stole a base tonight.

Center fielder Taiwan Easterling had a pair of doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks got lost in the Tri-City Dust Devils (Rockies), 5-3.

Starter Willengton Cruz lasted four innings, during which he gave up five runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out four.

First baseman Rock Shoulders went 3 for 4 with a double. He had two RBI. Catcher Chadd Krist was 3 for 4 with a double and he scored twice.

AZL Cubs

Had the day off, which was a good thing since several Arizona League games were rained out anyway.