Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 25

Manny Ramirez is here! Ramirez will join the Iowa Cubs tomorrow night in Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, that means someone has to go and that player is Casper Wells. He should be used to that by now. He won't be out of work long. He never is.

Iowa Cubs

Off to Colorado Springs. Bryant, Baez and Ramirez at altitude. Oh my.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies overran the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 4-2.

A strong start for Matt Loosen, who allowed a solo home run in the fifth inning for the only run he allowed over six innings. He allowed five total hits. Loosen struck out five and walked one.

Frank Batista got his second save of the season (and first for Tennessee). He entered the game after Jeff Lorick allowed a leadoff double in the inning. Batista allowed an RBI single to the first batter he faced, but then retired the next three to end the game. Batista did not have a strikeout.

Left fielder Anthony Giansanti gave the Cougars an insurance run in the top of the ninth with his second home run of the season. Giansanti was 1 for 3 with a walk.

DH Christian Villanueva was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs shut out the Dunedin Blue Jays, 7-0.

Starter Jose Rosario pitched six scoreless innings as he got his fourth win. Rosario allowed three hits while walking four and striking out four.

First baseman Rock Shoulders hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning, his fifth on the year. Shoulders was 1 for 4.

Coming  up right after Shoulders, catcher Chadd Krist went back-to-back with Shoulders for his second home run of the season. Krist was also 1 for 4.

Dan Vogelbach had a big night tonight, going 3 for 4 with a tremendous blast over the center field wall. It was his seventh home run of the season and came with the bases empty in the fifth inning. Vogelbach also doubled, had two RBI and scored twice.

Second baseman Gioskar Amaya was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars were bitten by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 3-2.

Cougars starter Tyler Skulina had another good start. He allowed only one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out five and only walked one.

Zak Hermans relieved Skulina in the sixth inning and immediately got into trouble when, after retiring the first batter, loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batsman. Hermans then exited for Corbin Hoffner, and two inherited runners scored on a ground out to and an error by first baseman Ben Carhart. Of the two runs charged to Hermans, one was unearned.

Catcher Kyle Schwarber hit his second Kane County home run and sixth overall with a solo home run in the third inning. Schwarber was 2 for 4. He also stole a base. Even better, he threw out two runners trying to steal second base.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks snapped a seven-game losing streak by topping the Spokane Indians (Rangers), 8-4.

Tyler Ihrig went seven innings tonight, which is really rare for a Hawks pitcher. He allowed three runs on five hits. Ihrig struck out five and didn't walk anyone.

Right fielder Jeffrey Baez began the ballgame with his second home run of the season over the left field fence. Baez was 1 for 5 with two RBI.

In the fourth inning, DH Kevin Brown hit his first Boise home run with a man on to tie the score at 3-3. Brown was 2 for 5.

First baseman Mark Malave was 2 for 4 with a sacrifice fly and a run scored.

All nine Hawks in the lineup tonight had at least one hit.

AZL Cubs

Off Day