Chicago Cubs Minor League Playoff Wrap: September 6

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 7-1. The Barons have now taken a two games to none lead in the best-of-five divisional series.

Dae-Eun Rhee started and got into major trouble in the second inning when, trailing 1-0 already, Rhee got a two-out ground ball to Javier Baez that the shortstop threw away to score one run. The next batter, Smokies-killer Trayce Thompson, then hit a two-run double to make it 4-0 and the game was pretty close to over. Rhee's final line was 4.1 innings pitched, allowing five runs on seven hits. Only two of the five runs were earned. Rhee walked four and struck out two.

The Barons held the Smokies to only three singles until the top of the ninth when DH Rubi Silva singled and left fielder John Andreoli doubled him home. Both hitters were 1 for 4.

Baez was 1 for 2 with two walks.

The series continues tomorrow night at Smokies Park. Tennessee will obviously have to sweep all three games at home to advance to the Southern League Championship Series.

Daytona Cubs

It's not going to surprise anyone to hear they were rained out. They'll try to play tomorrow at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. There is only a 20% chance of rain tomorrow, so the odds are in their favor.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks won game one of the best-of-three Northwest League Championship Series by dominating the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 5-0.

Starter Dillon Maples went a career high 6.1 innings, coming up with the big pitch when he needed it and keeping Vancouver off the scoreboard. Maples gave up seven hits and he walked two. Maples struck out seven.

Matt Iannazzo pitched to three batters and Zack Godley threw to five and the two relievers retired all eight batters. Each had two strikeouts.

Boise took a one-run lead in the third inning when shortstop Carlos Penalver led off the inning with a triple and then he scored three batters later when second baseman Danny Lockhart grounded out.

Boise scored three times in the sixth when left fielder Rony Rodriguez singled with two outs and runners on first and second and then third baseman David Bote cranked a two-run double. Boise scored their fifth and final run in the seventh inning on a home run by catcher Lance Rymel.

Rodriguez was 3 for 4. Bote was 1 for 4 with the double. Rymel was 1 for 2 and was hit by a pitch.

Boise has an off-day tomorrow as they make the 11 hour drive to Vancouver. They will be a bit short-handed as five players can't make the trip because of passport or visa issues. (I'm still trying to figure out which ones, but I'm almost positive Penalver is one of them.)

They will play on Sunday at 3:05 Chicago time and Monday at 9:05 if necessary. They need just one win to claim their first Northwest League title since 2004.