Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 11

One roster note. Jae-Hoon Ha was activated from extended spring training and placed on the Iowa Cubs roster. Jonathan Sanchez was placed on the DL.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got pecked by the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 8-5.

After shutting down Memphis in Des Moines in his first start, the Redbirds took their revenge upon Eric Jokisch. Jokisch was tagged for seven runs on eight hits over 5+ innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

After falling behind 7-2, Iowa got close when Chris Valaika hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, his first of the young season. Valaika was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies blew a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, but came back to win on a Stephen Bruno walkoff single in the bottom of the inning as the Smokies beat the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 6-5.

Corey Black did not allow a hit in his five-inning start, but he was pulled after 79 pitches. He did walk three batters while striking out two. He retired the final ten batters he faced.

The Smokies had a 5-0 lead going into the top of the ninth, but would eventually blow the lead. P.J. Francescon allowed three runs in the one inning he pitched, but they really weren't his fault as Tennessee made three straight fielding errors in the inning, All three runs were, of course, unearned.  Francescon allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two.

Armando Rivero came on for the save in the top of the ninth, but blew the lead when he allowed a two-run home run to Noel Cuevas. He got the win when Tennessee scored in the bottom of the inning. Rivero allowed one hit and one walk. He struck out two.

Bruno's RBI single was his only hit in five trips to the plate.

First baseman Dustin Geiger hit his third home run of the season with a two-run blast in the second inning. Geiger was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice.

Shortstop Jeudy Valdez became the first Smokie other than Geiger or Kris Bryant to homer when he hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Valdez was 1 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs dropped their fifth straight and seventh of their first eight with a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Yankees.

Starter Yao-Lin Wang didn't pitch poorly at all, but got no support and lost his second game. Wang allowed two runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked only one.

Starling Peralta pitched the other three innings and allowed three runs, but only one of them was earned. Peralta was touched for three hits, including a solo home run. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Left fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars capsized the Lake County Captains (Indians), 6-4.

Daury Torrez got the win despite allowing three home runs in only 5.1 innings. All four of the runs he allowed scored on those three home runs. Torrez gave up seven hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Nathan Dorris didn't allow a run over 2.2 innings in relief of Torrez. He gave way to Zack Godley, who struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to claim his first career save.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver and left fielder Yasiel Balaguert continue their hot starts to the season. Penalver went 3 for 5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Balaguert was also 3 for 5, but with a triple and two RBI. He scored once.

Third baseman Jordan Hankins was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

With the win, the Kane County Cougars' record improves to 5-3. It's the first time that they've ever been 2 games over .500 as a Cubs affiliate.