Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 4

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs ended their nine-game losing streak by climbing the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 8-4.

Terrific start today by Jake Arrieta, who tossed five scoreless innings. He allowed only two hits and three walks. Arrieta struck out 11 as he got his second Iowa win.

The Cubs knocked top Mariners prospect Taijuan Walker around for five runs in the first three innings. Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha had a big day, going 3 for 5 with a two-run double in the second inning off of Walker. Ha had three total RBI and he scored two runs.

Left fielder Darnell McDonald went 3 for 5 with a double. He scored three runs.

Third baseman Mike Olt broke out of his slump with a triple and a two-run double in the first inning. He went 2 for 5.

Second baseman Danny Lockhart got an emergency call-up all the way from Boise to replace the promoted Logan Watkins. He made the most of his opportunity by going 2 for 5 with a double. (The Hawks were just an hour away in Everett, which I'm sure is why Lockhart got promoted all the way from Boise.)

Catcher J.C. Boscan was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were burned by the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 10-4. It was Jacksonville's tenth straight win.

The Suns jumped all over Smokies starter A.J. Morris for six runs in the first inning. He started the second inning and gave up a seventh run before exiting after 1.1 innings. Morris gave up the seven runs on six hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning. Morris walked two, hit one batter and did not strike anyone out.

Shortstop Javier Baez was 3 for 4 with a two-run double in the third inning. He also stole a base.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

Rained out again. The first game is cancelled, they'll try to play the second game as a double-header tomorrow. However, there is more rain in the forecast for Daytona Beach.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were sawed in two by the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 11-1.

Tyler Skulina had a rough first start for the Cougars and took the loss. He allowed three runs on two hits and a walk over two innings. Skulina had one strikeout.

The game was reasonably close until Clinton scored seven times in the seventh inning off of reliever Jose Rosario. Rosario did actually toss two scoreless innings before the LumberKings teed off on him, so he allowed seven runs on six hits and five walks over three innings. He struck out two.

Third baseman Giuseppe Papaccio was 3 for 3.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks went into the All-Star Break on a high note by tossing the Everett AquaSox (Mariners) into the washing machine, 10-5.

Rob Zastryzny found out that every day in professional baseball won't be as good as his first seven appearances. Zastryzny got knocked around for four runs on five hits over 2.1 innings. He did show some impressive command of the strike zone as he struck out five and only walked one (although he did hit a batter).

Sam Wilson, however, kept his ERA at 0.00 with two scoreless innings. He got his third win after Boise came back to take the lead in the sixth inning.

Right fielder Rony Rodriguez hit two home runs today, a solo home run in the third inning and a two-run home run in the ninth. Rodriguez was 3 for 4. He now has three home runs this season.

Second baseman Jordan Hankins also hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning, turning a close game into a rout. It was his first home run as a professional. Hankins was 1 for 3 with two walks. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Third baseman Kris Bryant stayed hot with a pair of doubles in a 3 for 5 game. Bryant scored twice and had two RBI.

Center fielder David Bote was 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored twice. Shortstop Carlos Penalver went 2 for 5.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Athletics, 7-3.