Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 24

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were bent by the breeze of the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 2-1.

It was a strong start tonight for Brooks Raley, who only allowed one run on a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning. He pitched seven innings and allowed three total hits. Raley struck out six and walked three.

After the Cubs sent it to extra inning when they pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth, Yoanner Negrin took the mound and got the loss after he allowed one run on one hit over one inning. He walked one, the leadoff hitter who eventually came around to score on a Kevin Kouzmanoff single. Negrin struck out two.

First baseman Brad Nelson was 3 for 5. Shortstop Donnie Murphy was 1 for 5 and had the RBI groundout in the ninth.

Third baseman Mike Olt didn't get to Principal Park until about an hour before game time. He was 1 for 5 with three strikeouts in his Cubs debut.

Justin Grimm scored the one run as a pinch-runner in his Cubs debut.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies pulled down the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), 6-1.

Another strong start for Dae-Eun Rhee. Rhee pitched five innings and to the first three batters of the sixth. He allowed one run on five hits. Rhee walked three and struck out six.

It was a nice piece of relief work by Hunter Cervenka, who stranded two runners inherited from Rhee. He pitched one inning and didn't allow a hit. He walked one and did not have a strikeout, but he did induce a 4-6-3 double play.

First baseman Justin Bour broke the scoreless tie in the top of the second with a solo home run, his 11th of this season. Bour also doubled in a 2 for 5 game. He scored twice.

Three batters later, catcher Rafael Lopez hit a solo home run to make it 2-0. It was the seventh home run this season for Lopez. Lopez was 1 for 2 with two walks.

In the sixth inning, shortstop Javier Baez hit a solo home run, his 23rd of the season and sixth with the Smokies. Baez also doubled in a 2 for 5 game. Baez scored two runs.

Left fielder John Andreoli went 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. He also stole a base.

If you missed the story on Sunday's Leadoff Man on WGN about Baez and Arismendy Alcantara, you can see it here.

Daytona Cubs

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring.

The forecast for the next week doesn't look good. Then Tropical Storm Dorian might hit Florida.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were bitten by the Beloit Snappers (Athletics), 5-1.

Another tough rehab start for Scott Baker, who pitched three innings and allowed three runs on five hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning. Baker walked two and struck out two.

According to Cougars broadcaster Wayne Randazzo, Baker's fastball was sitting at around 85 mph and hitting 89 on occasion.

Right fielder Reggie Golden was 2 for 4 with a double. DH Rock Shoulders was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were chipped by the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 5-1.

Loiger Padron extended the Hawks scoreless streak to 30 innings, but then he gave up two runs in the fourth. Padron took the loss after he allowed two runs on four hits over 3.2 innings. Padron walked one and struck out one.

First baseman Jacob Rogers was 2 for 4. Center fielder Jacob Hannemann doubled and scored in the eighth inning. He was 1 for 4.

Third baseman Kris Bryant hit a ground-rule double in the first inning for his first Boise hit. Bryant was 1 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Off-day. Many of the players were at Chase Field tonight to see the major leaguers.