Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 5

I took a slice out of my finger this afternoon preparing dinner. I'm having to type this left-handed. Like Matt Cain, I think Al is going to have to put me on the disabled list.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs shouted down the Nashville Sounds (Brewers), 12-3.

Dallas Beeler was successful in what was both his first start of the year and his first start ever in Triple-A. Beeler got the win after he allowed one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out three and walked no one.

It's hard to believe it in a game that Iowa won by nine, but Blake Parker collected his fifth save of the season. Parker entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning, a man on second and Iowa holding a 5-2 lead. He allowed a double to the first batter he faced to make the score 5-3, but then got a strikeout to end the inning. Then Iowa tallied seven runs in top of the ninth and the close game became a laugher. Parker retired the side in order in the ninth, including his second strikeout of the game.

Iowa jumped out to a three-run lead in the top of the first when shortstop Chris Valaika homered with two men on. It was Valaika's third home run this year. Overall, he went 2 for 5 with a double, the home run and two runs scored.

In the third inning, left fielder Josh Vitters hit his second home run in as many days and fourth overall. Vitters was 1 for 4 with two RBI.

The final home run for Iowa came when center fielder Brett Jackson led off the top of the ninth with his second this year. Jackson was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 5 with a double and a stolen base. He scored twice and had one RBI. Catcher Luis Flores was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Flores scored once. Third baseman Christian Villanueva was 2 for 5 with an RBI double in that seven-run ninth.

The win keeps Iowa in first place at 16-13.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies subjugated the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 11-7.

Starter Ivan Pineyro only lasted 4.2 innings, falling just short of qualifying for the win.  Pineyro allowed five runs on seven hits. One of the runs was unearned. He walked four and struck out five.

P.J. Francescon relieved Pineyro and was awarded the win after not allowing a run over 2.1 innings, although he did permit an inherited runner to score. Francescon allowed one hit and one while while striking out two.

Armando Rivero struck out the side in order in the top of the ninth in a non-save situation.

The Smokies put this game away with an eight-run third inning, highlighted by Rubi Silva's three-run home run, his third of the season. Silva was 1 for 3 with a walk and four RBI.

DH Charles Cutler was a perfect 4 for 4. He scored once and had one RBI.

Stephen Bruno hit two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. He scored two runs and had two RBI,

Kris Bryant went 2 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI. He scored once. Rafael Lopez was 3 for 5 with a double. He scored three runs and had one RBI. Wes Darvill was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were shot down by the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 8-6.

Jose Rosario pitched five innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits. He struck out six and walked two.

Zach Cates took the loss in relief. Cates pitched 2.1 innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits. Cates walked one and struck put two,

Bijan Rademacher hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first to get Daytona off to a good start. It was his third home run this season. Rademacher was 2 for 2 with a walk, as stolen base and three runs scored. He was also hit by a pitch.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars devoured the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 8-4. The win was Kane County's tenth straight win at home.

Tyler Skulina threw the first four innings, allowing only one unearned run on two hits. Skulina walked three and fanned four.

Because Skulina didn't go five innings, the win went to Nathan Dorris, his fourth of the season. Dorris gave up two runs, one earned, over three innings.  He allowed three hits and issued one walk while striking out three.

Zach Godley had a two-inning save, his seventh of the season. He did allow a run, however, the first run that Godley has allowed since the second game of the season. Godley was touched for two hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Yasiel Balaguert hit his first home run this season with the bases empty in the seventh inning. Balaguert was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Jacob Hannemann was 2 for 5 with two RBI and one run scored. Danny Lockhart was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and a walk at the plate. Behind the plate, however, he made two errors. Brockmeyer scored twice.

Shawon Dunston went 2 for 4 with a two-run triple in the eighth inning. He scored one run.

The Shawon-O-Meter 2.0: .210 and rising.