Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 22

Javier Baez got his batting average up over .200 tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs ran over the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 7-2.

This is going to get overlooked with Baez's night, but Dallas Beeler was excellent in his seven inning start. Beeler gave up only one run (a 4th innings solo home run) on three hits. Beeler struck out six and walked one.

Baez busted out tonight with a 4 for 5 night that included two doubles and a monster home run down the left-field line. The solo home run came in the 4th inning and was his fifth of the season. Baez had two RBI and two runs.

Catcher Eli Whiteside hit a two-run home run later in the Cubs' five-run 4th. It was his third home run this year and he was 1 for 4.

Center fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blew a 3 run lead in the top of the ninth inning, but scored in the bottom of the inning for a 6-5 win over the Mobile BayBears. (Diamondbacks).

It was a good start for Corey Black, who allowed only one run over five innings. He gave up only three hits, but one of them was a solo home run to Jon Griffin, which was his fifth home run in his last five at bats. (He did not homer again today, so they did stop that streak.) Black struck out seven and walked three.

Arodys Vizcaino entered the game in the top of the ninth with a three-run lead, but he allowed three runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out one. He did get the win when Tennessee scored in the bottom of the inning.

Left fielder Charles Cutler misplayed a ball in the ninth inning that contributed to the three-run inning, but he got the walkoff single which scored Stephen Bruno in the bottom of the inning. Cutler was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI.

Third baseman Kris Bryant was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and two walks. (One of the walks was intentional) Bryant scored once and had three RBI. He also stole a base.

Second baseman Bruno went 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. Bruno scored three times.

Right fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 4 with a double.  Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost a heartbreaker, 2-1 to the Bradenton Marauders (Pirates).

Starter Tayler Scott was cruising along in his best start since opening day when he was hit in his pitching hand by a line drive in the seventh inning and exited as a precaution. Scott finished 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing only five hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Zack Godley started the ninth inning with the score 1-0. He gave up a leadoff single, but then struck out the next two batters. With one out to go to win the game, Godley walked the next batter. With runners on first and second and two outs, Godley got Jacob Stallings to hit a pop up behind shortstop. Marco Hernandez went back, but then the wind got the ball and blew it forward and it dropped in.  If there were no or one out, the infield fly rule would have been called. But since both runners were going with two outs, both scored and Bradenton won the game.

Catcher Willson Contreras was 3 for 4 with two doubles and a triple. He scored the Cubs only run. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario was 2 for 4.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars chopped down the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 6-1.

It was a great start for Paul Blackburn, who pitched seven innings and didn't allow a run. He gave up four hits but the best part was he struck out six and didn't walk anyone. Blackburn improved his record to 5-1.

Third baseman Ben Carhart went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.