Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 3

Since I originally forgot to include the poll in yesterday's Minor League Pitcher of the Month vote and since it was Labor Day and not a lot of people voted, I'm going to do the poll again today. If you voted in yesterday's wrap, you can vote twice and I'll include yesterday's votes in the final tally. You read up on the candidates in yesterday's wrap.

We're starting in Boise, because that's where all the action is. That's also where all the Cubs brass were.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were edged by the Yakima Bears (Diamondbacks), 5-4 in game one of their best-of-three series.

Pierce Johnson started and allowed one unearned run in the first inning. That was the only run he allowed over three innings. He gave up two hits. Johnson walked one and struck out two.

Jose Arias threw the next three innings (and the first batter of the seventh inning) and coughed up a 4-1 Hawks lead when he allowed three runs, two earned in the sixth inning. Arias allowed four hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Nathan Dorris pitched the final three innings and got the loss after he allowed a run after a lead-off single in the ninth inning when he failed to get over to cover first base in time on a ground ball to first base. Dorris allowed one run on two hits over three innings. He did not walk anyone and struck out one. In fairness to Dorris, replays showed he did beat the runner to the first-base bag in the top of the ninth.

All four of Boise's runs came on one swing of the bat by DH Rock Shoulders in the fourth inning. It was amazingly Shoulders's third grand slam of the season. Shoulders was 1 for 4.

Shortstop Marco Hernandez was 2 for 4 with a triple. He scored on Shoulders's grand slam.

The Hawks travel to Yakima tomorrow and need to win the next two games to keep their season alive. Both games (if necessary) will be at 9:05 Central Time and you can listen at BoiseHawks.com.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies finished their season by reeling in the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds), 8-1.

Austin Kirk started and got the win after allowing only one run over 5.2 innings. He surrendered four hits and issued three walks while striking out two. It was Kirk's second win for the Smokies and he finishes the year with nine overall wins.

Catcher Anthony Recker hit his first home run with the Cubs organization. It came with two on in the seventh inning and turned a 4-1 Smokies lead into a 7-1 rout. Recker also had an RBI double in the ninth inning to give him four total RBI today. He was 2 for 5.

Left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Third baseman Matthew Cerda was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

The Smokies finished the season with an 72-68 overall record and a 37-33 record in the second half. Although they didn't make the post-season for the first time since 2008, the Smokies and the Arizona rookie ball team were the only Cubs minor league team to finish with a winning record,

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs routed the Kane County Cougars (Royals) 6-2.

Al covered this game pretty well in his game recap, so I'll just do a quick summary of the stats. Ben Wells started and tossed two shutout innings, although he did give up three hits and issue three walks. He struck out one.

Willengton Cruz took the win with 4.2 innings of relief. He only allowed one hit, but it was a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Cruz walked one and struck out one.

Pete Levitt got his first Peoria save with 1.2 scoreless. He gave up one hit. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Catcher Yaniel Cabezas waited until the last game of the season to hit his first home run. It was a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Cabezas was 2 for 4 with three RBI.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 5 with a triple and a run scored.

The Chiefs finished the second half with a 28-41 record. They had an overall record of 63-75.

If this is it for the Cubs in Peoria: Thanks for the memories, Chiefs. If it isn't: see you in April.