Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 10

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blown away by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 6-5.

Nick Struck started and took the loss. He went five innings and allowed six runs on six hits. Three of the runs were unearned, but it was a result of a play in the second inning when, with men on first and second and one out, Zephyrs pitcher Jacob Rogers laid down a bunt. Struck picked up the ball and tried to get the runner at third, but threw the ball down the left field line. When the ball then got past left fielder Ty Wright for a second error, Rogers circled the bases for a three-run Little League home run. Struck walked three and struck out two.

First baseman Brad Nelson was 3 for 5 with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to get Iowa to within a run. Shortstop Donnie Murphy was 2 for 5 with a double. He had one run batted in and scored on the Nelson single. Right fielder Anthony Giansanti went 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the sixth inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies took a double-header from the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 7-2 and 5-2.

The first game was a completion of a game started on June 28. Back then, A.J. Morris pitched the first two innings and allowed a run on two hits. He didn't walk or strike out anyone.

P.J. Francescon got his first Double-A win with three strong scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit. He neither struck out nor walked anyone.

Carlos Gutierrez got his first Tennessee save and second overall with two innings and allowed one unearned run. He surrendered two hits and two walks. He struck out two.

In game one, shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 4 with an RBI double in the sixth inning. Alcantara also scored two runs.

First baseman Justin Bour went 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. He batted two runs in and scored once himself.

Center fielder Rubi Silva went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored two runs and had one batted in.

Just because it's probably the last time he'll ever be mentioned in the Wrap, second baseman Ronald Torreyes was 1 for 1 and scored the first run of the game.

In game two, Eric Jokisch danced on a tightrope for 5.2 innings to improve his record to 8-7. Jokisch allowed only two runs on six hits and six walks. Two of those hits were a triple and a solo home run. Jokisch did strike out five.

Kevin Rhoderick came in the game with two on and two out in the sixth and struck out the batter to end the threat. He then threw a 1-2-3 seventh inning for his third save. He had two total strikeouts.

Alcantara went back to second base in this game (since Torreyes isn't around anymore) and hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, his thirteenth of the season. Alcantara was 1 for 4.

Silva played right field in game two and put the Smokies on the board with a solo home run in the second inning. It was his eleventh home run of the season. Silva was 2 for 3.

Javier Baez was a combined 0 for 7 in the double-header, making him 0 for 17 since homering in his first at bat for the Smokies. Double-A is hard.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs blew a 6-0 lead in the seventh inning and lost to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 7-6.

Zach Cates pitched the first seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Luis Liria entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and only managed to retire one batter. When the carnage was over, Liria was charged with five runs, four earned, on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman. The one guy he did retire was by a strikeout.

First baseman Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the second inning, his tenth of the season. Geiger was 2 for 4.

Right fielder Bijan Rademacher came a home run short of the cycle, going 3 for 4 with a double and a triple. He scored one run and had one batted in.

Shortstop Elliot Soto went 2 for 5 with a double. He had one run batted in and scored once. Second baseman Brad Zapenas was 2 for 4 with an RBI. However, it was his error in the eighth that allowed the eventual winning run to score.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were dusted by the South Bend Silver Hawks (Diamondbacks), 7-2.

Starter Felix Pena took the loss after he allowed three runs on six hits over six innings. Pena walked four and struck out two. Pena had two wild pitches.

Dillon Maples struggles continue. In two innings of relief, Maples gave up four runs on six hits. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario gave the Cougars an early 2-0 lead when he hit a two-run home run in the first inning. It was his fifth home run. Candelario was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Albert Almora was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored on the Candelario home run.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were politely dispatched by the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 6-5.

Duane Underwood started and allowed four runs, three earned, over 2.2 innings. Underwood was touched for six hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Scott Frazier took the loss in relief when he gave up a single and a walk to lead off the eighth inning, and one run came around to score when Tyler Bremer gave up a sacrifice fly. He also pitched the seventh inning and his line was one run on two hits over one inning. He walked one and struck out one.

Right fielder Jose Dore hit a two-run home run in the top of the first to give Boise an early lead. It was Dore's first home run of the year. He was 1 for 3 with a walk. He also stole a base.

Center fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored the third and tying run of the eighth inning on an error.

AZL Cubs

Defeated the Padres, 14-2.