Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 7

First thing tonight, thanks to reader Chris Waller (aka Chrisw95), we have this awesome video of Jorge Soler hitting that tremendous bomb on Saturday night. As you can see, the ball travels a very, very long way.

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Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were atomized by the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers), 7-3. The loss drops Iowa to 0-4 and extends their losing streak at Isotopes Park to thirteen games.

Starter Nick Struck put the I-Cubs down early when gave up two runs on a Scott Van Slyke double in the bottom of the first inning and the Cubs never caught up. Struck pitched five innings and allowed four runs on eight hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out one.

Casey Coleman allowed two runs over two innings of relief and Jensen Lewis gave up one run in the one inning of relief he threw.

Right fielder Ryan Sweeney is off to a great start in the Cubs system. Today he hit a solo home run in the second inning to put the Cubs on the board. He went 2 for 3 with a walk. In two games, Sweeney is 5 for 6 with a double, a home run and two walks.

Tennessee Smokies

A late Smokies rally fell short as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds) defeated Tennessee, 5-4.

Smokies starter Kyle Hendricks got in trouble in the first and last inning he pitched as he allowed two runs in the first and three in the fifth on a three-run home run by Donald Lutz. Hendricks allowed five runs on eight hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out five.

The Smokies scored once in the eighth and once in the ninth to make the game close. Left fielder Matt Szczur scored on a Jae-Hoon Ha single with two outs. Ha stole second to put the tying run in scoring position, but Jonathan Mota grounded out to end the game. Both Szczur and Ha were 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. Ha had that one RBI.

First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored one run and had one RBI. Third baseman Tim Torres was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs shut out the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 9-0. It was Daytona's third straight win, two of which came by shutout.

P.J. Francescon dominated the Manatees lineup for seven innings, allowing just four singles. Francescon struck out nine and walked only one.

Right fielder Jorge Soler broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning when he hit a two-run home run; his second in as many games. Soler was 2 for 4 and was intentionally walked once. He scored two runs.

Catcher Micah Gibbs also hit his first home run of the year with the bases empty in the eighth inning. Gibbs was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Second baseman Stephen Bruno went 2 for 4 with a walk. Bruno had one RBI and scored twice. Left fielder John Andreoli went 2 for 3 with a triple as part of the four-run sixth. He walked twice. Andreoli scored two runs and batted one in.

Center fielder Zeke DeVoss was 1 for 4 with two walks and two steals. He scored once and had two runs batted in.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars are still looking for their first win in the Cubs organization as they fell 3-1 in thirteen innings to the Quad City River Bandits (Astros). It was Kane County's second straight defeat in extra innings.

Cougars starter Michael Heesch had a no-hitter going through 4.2 innings, but he gave up an RBI double to Jobduan Morales to give the River Bandits a 1-0 lead. It was the only hit and only run Heesch would allow. He struck out five in his 6.1 innings while walking two and hitting one batter.

Felix Pena then took over for Heesch and was almost as unhittable. He pitched 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. Pena walked one and struck out five.

Eddie Orozco entered the game in the top of the thirteenth and took the loss. The River Bandits took the lead after a one out triple and a passed ball. He would finish the inning, but not before giving up a second run. Orozco gave up two total hits. He did not strike out anyone and he walked one batter intentionally.

After scoring ten runs on Saturday, the Cougars could get no offense going on Sunday. Left fielder Rock Shoulders was 2 for 3 with a walk before exiting for a pinch-runner. Center fielder Oliver Zapata was 2 for 5 with a walk.