Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 16

It was the night of weird lines.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs fell to the Tucson Padres, 7-6.

Seth McClung did not have a good first start for the Iowa Cubs. He allowed six runs in the first inning, which included a pair of two run home runs. McClung's final line was 3.1 innings, with seven hits leading to seven runs, four of which were earned. McClung walked three and struck out five.

Ryan Searle's Iowa debut was much better as he pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Jay Jackson pitched two innings of scoreless relief as Iowa's comeback fell one run short.

Second baseman Alfredo Amezaga went 4 for 5 with a double, which was the only extra base hit among Iowa's fourteen hits tonight. Amezaga had one run scored and one RBI. He also stole a base. Amezaga also committed the error that led to the three unearned runs.

Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 with a steal and a run scored. Catcher Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored. Shortstop Matt Tolbert was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies burned the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 4-3.

Starter Eric Jokisch couldn't quite make it through five innings, exiting with the bases loaded and two out in the fifth. Jokisch allowed two runs on six hits over the 4.2 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

Tony Zych relieved Jokisch and got out of the fifth inning with a ground out. He was awarded the win after pitching two shutout innings. He allowed one hit and one walk. Zych struck out three.

First baseman Justin Bour hit a three-run home run in the third inning. It was his sixteenth home run and 105th RBI. Bour was 1 for 4.

The Smokies scored their four runs on four hits. Second baseman Logan Watkins was 0 for 1 with three walks. He scored one run.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost a dogfight with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 7-6.

Robert Whitenack pitched the first four innings and allowed a run on four hits. He walked three and struck out one.

The Cubs had a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but Jeffrey Lorick couldn't hold it. Lorick took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. He did not record a strike out.

Shortstop Javier Baez broke out of his slump today by going 3 for 4 with a double and his first Daytona home run. It was a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Baez scored twice and had three runs batted in.

First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were shut out by the Burlington Bees (Athletics), 4-0.

The Chiefs pitching staff allowed four runs on only three hits tonight. The eleven walks they issued probably had something to do with that. That they only allowed four runs was likely the result of the twelve strikeouts they had.

Starting pitcher Willengton Cruz took the loss in his first game since returning to Peoria from Boise. He allowed two runs on two hits over two innings. Cruz walked four and struck out four.

First baseman Dustin Geiger was 2 for 4. Third baseman Timothy Saunders was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks started their road trip by cleaning up the Tri-City Dust Devils (Rockies), 7-2.

Pierce Johnson threw the first two innings for the Hawks tonight and didn't allow a hit. He was impressive as he walked only one and struck out five. Only the final batter of the seven he faced was able to put the ball into play.

Felix Pena got the win with five innings of relief. He allowed two runs on five htis. He walked two and struck out one.

Nathan Dorris collected his third save with two scoreless innings. Dorris allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three.

The Hawks had eleven hits tonight, including six doubles and a triple. Center fielder Albert Almora went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once. DH Carlos Escobar was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He had three RBI.

Catcher Willson Contreras went 3 for 5 with a double. He scored once and knocked one home.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Reds, 7-1.

Shawon Dunston was 3 for 4 with a home run.