Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 16

Iowa Cubs

In a battle of rehabbing starting pitchers, Matt Garza and the Iowa Cubs out-dueled Clayton Richard and the Tucson Padres, 1-0.

Garza was sharp and in control for all six innings he pitched. He allowed only two hits, both in the second inning. The only other baserunner he allowed was by a hit batsman. Garza struck out six and walked none.

Garza threw 75 pitches, 53 of which were strikes. His fastball was between 93-95 on the stadium radar gun, at least. The Cub haven't announced where and when Garza's next start will be, but he told reporters after the game "I don't need another start down here. There's no reason for me to stay in the minor leagues."

Brooks Raley threw the final three innings for his first save. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three.

Iowa had three straight singles from Dave Sappelt, Brian Bogusevic and Josh Vitters to lead off the second inning off of Clayton Richard. Donnie Murphy then hit a sacrifice fly, and that was the only run of the game. Iowa only had two other hits, both singles, outside of the second inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies got back over .500 by outflanking the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 6-4.

Starter Matt Loosen had some control issues, as he walked six batters in the four innings he pitched. In those four innings, he was tagged for four runs on three hits, including a home run. Loosen struck out five.

A.J. Morris got the win in impressive fashion, throwing three innings of relief and retiring all nine batters he faced. Morris struck out three.

Frank Batista pitched a perfect ninth inning for his fifth save. He struck out one.

Most of the Smokies offense came from DH Ty Wright, who hit not one but two two-run home runs tonight. The first was in the first inning and the second was in the third. They were his first two home runs of the year. Wright was 2 for 4.

The Smokies took the lead for good in the sixth inning on an RBI double by catcher Rafael Lopez. Lopez was 2 for 4.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Jonathan Mota was also 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost their third straight game to the Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays), 12-7.

It was a rough start for P.J. Francescon, who gave up ten runs, eight earned, on nine hits over only five innings. He walked five and struck out three.

Chadd Krist had a big night at the plate as he had two double and a single in a 3 for 3 night. All three hits scored at least one run and he had five total RBI on the night. Krist also walked once and scored one run.

First baseman Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fourth of the year. Geiger was 3 for 5 with a double and scored two runs.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars split a day/night double-header with the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), winning the day game 5-0 and losing the night game 8-2.

The Cougars held the Chiefs to only one hit in the first game. Starter Brian Smith pitched four no-hit innings He walked two and struck out two.

Eddie Orozco pitched the next two innings and allowed the only hit, a lead-off single in the fifth, and then he promptly erased the baserunner with a double play. Orozco didn't walk anyone and struck out one as he got his second win. Jeffry Antigua pitched a perfect seventh inning to finish out the one-hitter. He had one strike out.

Second baseman Gioskar Amaya was 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI. He scored once.

Shortstop Marco Hernandez went 3 for 3 with a double and scored twice. Left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once and had one run batted in.

In the second game, the Chiefs shook off their offensive rust as the exploded for six runs in the third inning off starter Michael Heesch. Two errors in the inning meant only two of the six runs were earned. Heesch allowed four hits and he walked two in the three innings he pitched. He did not record a strikeout.

In the second game, shortstop Marco Hernandez continued his big day at the plate with his first home run of the season, a two-run home run in the second that accounted for all of Kane County's runs. Hernandez was 1 for 3.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario had two doubles in a 2 for 3 game.

However, Candelario was at the heart of a brutal defensive game for the Cougars, who committed six errors in the seven-inning game. Candelario made three errors while Amaya, Hernandez and Oliver Zapata each committed one.