Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 18

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs stopped the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 9-8.

It was easily the worst start of the season for Tsuyoshi Wada. Wada allowed six runs on ten hits, including a pair of home runs,  over seven innings. Wada struck out five and walked three.

Marcus Hatley pitched the eighth inning and turned a 6-5 deficit into an 8-5 deficit. Hatley gave up the two runs on only one hit, but he also hit a batter and balked in a run. Hatley did not walk anyone and struck out one. He got his first win of the season when Iowa came back and scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Blake Parker pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save and his Iowa Cubs career-record 49th save.

Iowa stormed back in the bottom of the eighth thanks to home runs from third baseman Christian Villanueva and second baseman Arismendy Alcantara. Villanueva led off the bottom of the inning with a home run off of Neftali Feliz. It was his second home run of the season. Villanueva was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Then, with two outs and two men on, Alcantara hit a monster blast over the right field fence to give Iowa the lead. I think the ball landed in the Amana Colonies. It was Alcantara's third home run this year. He was 1 for 5 with four total RBI.

Shortstop Javier Baez went 2 for 4 with a sacrifice fly. DH Chris Valaika went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies lost their fourth straight game to the Mississippi Braves, 4-2.

Starting pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee pitched six innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Jeffrey Lorick took the loss when he allowed two runs, one earned, in the seventh inning. That was the only inning he pitched. Lorick surrendered three hits. He neither walked nor struck out a batter.

The Smokies had five hits, all singles. Kris Bryant went 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were demolished by the Ft. Myers Miracle (Twins), 10-1.

Ben Wells started and took the loss after he allowed four runs on three hits over only 2+ innings. His real problem was control, as he walked five batters, including the final three batters he faced before getting pulled in the third inning. Wells struck out one.

Center fielder Albert Almora was 2 for 4. It was Almora's fifth straight game of two or more hits.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were mugged by the Quad City River Bandits (Astros), 10-3.

Daury Torrez pitched the first 4.2 innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits. One of the seven runs was unearned. Torrez struck out four and did not walk a batter.

First baseman Jacob Rogers hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his third of the season. Rogers also doubled in a 2 for 4 day. He had two total RBI.

Catcher Ben Carhart went 3 for 4 and scored two runs.

This game was delayed for 16 minutes because of a swarm of bees. Not the kind from Burlington, either.