Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 7

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs silenced the Nashville Sounds (Brewers), 4-1.

It was an impressive start for Tsuyoshi Wada, who went 6.2 innings and allowed only one run, and that came from a solo home run. Wada gave up only three hits overall. Wada struck out eight and walked one.

Blake Parker added to his Iowa career saves record by pitching the ninth, but not without drama. After retiring the first two batters, Parker allowed a single and a double before striking out the final batter.  He had two total strikeouts in the inning.

The difference in this game was a three-run home run in the sixth inning by third baseman Christian Villanueva. It was his first of the year and he was 1 for 4.

Right fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 2 with a triple and a walk before exiting as part of a double-switch. Jackson scored once.

Left fielder Josh Vitters exited the game in the fourth inning, accompanied to the clubhouse by the team trainer.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds) 3-2. It was the second straight 3-2 loss for the Smokies to the Blue Wahoos.

Matt Loosen started and took the loss after he allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out two.

For the second straight night, first baseman Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth to make the score 3-2. Obviously both times it wasn't enough. Geiger was 2 for 4.

Shortstop Jeury Valdez went 2 for 3 with an RBI double in the eighth inning that scored John Andreoli.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were shipwrecked by the Brevard County Manatees (Brewers), 5-4.

Rob Zastryzny had a rough first start for Daytona, pitching with men on base in every inning. Zastryzny went four innings and allowed four runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out six.

But Zastryzny exited a tie ballgame and Yao-Lin Wang took the loss when he allowed an unearned run in the fifth inning when shortstop Marco Hernandez misplayed a grounder. Wang just pitched the one inning. He allowed a just one hit and no walks, although he did hit a batter. Wang struck out two.

Arodys Vizcaino pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. According to Sean Kernan of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Vizcaino was sitting 95 mph and hit as high as 98.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario tripled with one out in the ninth, but Willson Contreras and Rock Shoulders failed to plate the tying run. Candelario was 2 for 4. He scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Shoulders went 2 for 4 with a two-run double in the second inning. He scored later that inning.

Kane County Cougars

On the way back home to Geneva. They'll play their home opener tomorrow at 6:30. I hope some of you get the chance to be there.