Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 24

Following up on the Triple-A All-Star Game, Minor League Baseball doesn't release the exact vote totals, but today they said that Tacoma's Nick Franklin had a "slim" lead over Javier Baez. Obviously we can't permit that to happen. You can vote here.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs burst the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers), 6-2.

Tsuyoshi Wada worked over the Isotopes like a scientist at Los Alamos. He allowed only one run on four hits over six innings. But most impressively, he struck out ten batters and only walked one. He improved his record to 8-4.

Third baseman Kris Bryant hit another home run today, a three-run home run in the first inning that just cleared the right field wall near the foul post. It was his fifth home run for Iowa in six games and his 27th on the season. He was 1 for 3 with a walk. Yep, he still doesn't have a PCL hit that isn't a home run.

They don't seem to let you embed it today, but you can see the HR here.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He also stole a base. Alcantara scored twice and had one RBI.

Left fielder Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Javier Baez was 1 for 2 with two walks and an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies accepted the surrender of the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 6-2 in a game that ended with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning because of rain.

Dae-Eun Rhee pushed his record to 4-3 after he allowed one run on three hits over 5.2 innings. Rhee struck out three and walked three.

Lendy Castillo faced one batter and struck him out. Thanks to the rain, he got his first save of the season.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva doubled three times in a 3 for 4 game. Villanueva had two RBI and scored once.

DH Stephen Bruno was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. He scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs downed the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-5.

Starter Felix Pena allowed three runs on ten hits over five innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Andrew McKirahan entered the game in the top of the eighth with a man one second, one out and Daytona leading 5-4. He gave up a game-tying single to the first batter he faced. But he stayed in the game and got the win when Daytona retook the lead in the bottom of the inning. McKirahan pitched 1.2 innings and allowed no runs on two hits. he did not walk anyone and struck out one.

Daytona retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning on Albert Almora's third home run of the season. Almora was 3 for 5.

You can read about Almora's home run here. The home plate umpire was sick and asked Almora if he could swing to get the game over quickly.

Right fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. Chen scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk.  He scored twice.

First baseman Rock Shoulders went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one run batted in.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars defanged the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 9-3.

Starter Paul Blackburn got the win after he allowed three runs on five hits over five innings. He walked four and struck out two.

Right fielder Trey Martin set a Cougars franchise record with five stolen bases tonight.  Despite that, he only scored one run tonight. Martin was 2 for 3 with a walk. He stole second three times and third twice.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann was 3 for 4 with a walk and two stolen bases, one of which was the back-end of a double-steal with Martin. He had two RBI and two runs scored.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver went 2 for 5 with one run scored and one run batted in.

First baseman Jacob Rogers was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks lost to the Spokane Indians (Rangers), 7-3.

Ben Wells started and took the loss. Wells allowed two runs on three hits over four innings. He struck out four and walked three.

Jasvir Rakkar had a rough night in relief, giving up five runs in 2.2 innings in his first game after being demoted from Daytona.

Third baseman Jesse Hodges hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning. It was his first of the year.  Hodges was 2 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Angels, 4-2.