Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 12

Pitching or snow mostly dominated in the Cubs minor league system tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were nuked by the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers), 15-5.

Starting pitcher Nick Struck didn't pitch too badly and was even in line for the win when he left after four innings. Struck gave up two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out three.

The game got out of hand shortly thereafter, as Esmailin Caridad allowed five runs, four earned, in the fifth inning, which was the only inning he pitched. The big blow was a grand slam he allowed to Tim Federowicz. Caridad gave up three hits and three walks while walking one batter.

Then Jaye Chapman gave up five runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Chapman allowed two home runs in the two-thirds of an inning he threw.

There was a pretty strong wind blowing out at Principal Park.

Ryan Sweeney was 1 for 4 with a two-run home run in the eighth inning. It was his second home run of the year.

Right fielder Brian Bogusevic was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. He also stole a base. Catcher J.C. Boscan was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He also scored one run.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 0 for 2 with three walks.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies escaped detection by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 2-1 for their first home win of the year.

Eric Jokisch pitched six innings and had only one bad moment, which was when he allowed a solo home run to Joc Pederson in the third inning. Other than that, he was brilliant. He gave up four total hits. He walked one and struck out three.

Trey McNutt picked up his first career save, but it wasn't easy. After retiring the first two batters he faced in the ninth, he hit a batter and walked the next one with two outs. But he got out of it with a game-ending groundout to shortstop. McNutt only pitched that ninth inning. He did not strike anyone out.

Matt Szczur walked and scored in the first inning and had an RBI single in the second. He finished the night 1 for 3 with a walk and two stolen bases.

Ronald Torreyes made his season and Double-A debut tonight when he pinch-hit in the seventh inning. He walked in his only trip to the plate.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs shut out the Tampa Yankees, 5-0.

Austin Kirk pitched a strong five innings, allowing only two hits, as he got his first win of the year. He did walk four and struck out two.

Yao-Lin Wang was even better, as he pitched the final four innings and collected a save. He gave up only two base runners, one single and one walk. Wang struck out five.

Left fielder Taiwan Easterling had an RBI double in the second inning and a two-run single in the third. He was 2 for 5 with one run scored and the three runs batted in.

Shortstop Javier Baez was 1 for 4 with an RBI single and a walk.

Kane County Cougars

To no one's surprise, their double-header in Appleton was rained out. They'll try to play a double-header tomorrow and one on Sunday. There's a chance of early flurries tomorrow, but it does look like they'll get the game in, as long as they don't mind being freezing cold.