The Cubs announced their "official" Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June and the selections are Kris Bryant and Juan Paniagua. Your choices were Bryant and Tsuyoshi Wada, although Wada beat Paniagua by fewer than five votes in your tally. They all had great months.
Congratulations to Josh Harrison for making the All-Star Game. That's why I mention everyone who has a good night in the minors and not just the top prospects. You never know if one of those other guys ends up making the All-Star Game one day.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs plucked the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros), 5-4.
Kyle Hendricks started this game, but he exited after only two innings. Hendricks allowed one run on three hits. Henricks struck out four and didn't walk anyone.
The I-Cubs confirmed that Hendricks was not injured. The strong rumor is that he only pitched two innings to prepare to start against the Reds on Wednesday, but they have refused to confirm that.
Yoanner Negrin pitched the next 4+ innings and was charged with three runs on four hits. He struck out three and walked three.
Armando Rivero entered the game in the seventh inning after Negrin allowed the first two batters to reach. Rivero unfortunately allowed both runners to score to tie the game 4-4. However, Rivero got the win when the Cubs scored in the top of the eighth. Rivero pitched two innings and allowed two hits and no runs of his own, but he did let the two inherited runners to score. He did not strike out a batter and he intentionally walked one.
With Blake Parker (deservedly) off to the majors, the closing duties in Iowa fell to Zac Rosscup. Rosscup pitched the ninth and allowed a single and walk, but no runs as he got his second Iowa save and third overall. Rosscup struck out two.
Third baseman Kris Bryant gave Iowa a 2-1 lead in the top of the second with a two-run home run, his 30th home run of the season and eighth for Iowa. Bryant was 1 for 4.
Shortstop Javier Baez gave Iowa a 3-1 lead with a solo bomb in the sixth inning. It was Baez's 13th home run. He was 1 for 4 and was intentionally walked once.
Left fielder Ryan Kalish hit Iowa's third home run, a solo home run in the seventh. It was his third home run. Kalish was 2 for 4.
After OKC tied the score in the bottom of the seventh, DH Manny Ramirez singled home first baseman Chris Valaika to give Iowa the lead for good. Ramirez was 2 for 4. Valaika was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies stormed the manor of the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 9-1.
Corey Black had a few control problems early, but he settled down and got an easy win. Black pitched six innings and allowed one run on two hits. Black walked four and struck out six.
DH Jorge Soler played his first game for Tennessee since May 15 and hit a monster solo home run to left field in the sixth inning. He was 2 for 5 with two RBI.
And we have video:
<iframe src='http://www.milb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=34369465&width=400&height=224&property=milb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>
First baseman Dustin Geiger had a pair of doubles in a 3 for 5 game. He scored three runs and had one run scored.
Third baseman Jonathan Mota was 3 for 4 with three runs scored.
Right fielder Pin-Chieh Chen went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs batted in. He also scored once.
Catcher Charles Cutler went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
Shortstop Addison Russell made his Cubs/Smokies debut today and was a rough 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and an error. However, he scalded two line drives to the left side of the infield and was robbed of a hit both times. Despite the line, I was impressed.
Daytona Cubs
Rained out. Doubleheader tomorrow.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars were axed by the Clinton LumberKings, 2-1 in 14 innings.
Tyler Skulina started and allowed one run on five hits over six innings. Skulina struck out three and walked no one.
Jen-Ho Tseng piggybacked Skulina and gave up only one hit over five innings. Tseng struck out three and walked one.
James Pugliese tossed the next two innings without allowing a run. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one.
Gerardo Concepcion entered the game in the bottom of the 14th and loaded the bases with one out after a single and two walks. He took the loss when he allowed a walkoff single to Martin Peguero. Concepcion had one strikeout.
Left fielder Shawon Dunston was 2 for 4 with two walks. He drove in the sole Kane County run. Center fielder Trey Martin went 2 for 6. He doubled in the sixth inning and scored on a Dunston single.
DH Ben Carhart, third baseman Jeimer Candelario and second baseman David Bote were each 2 for 6.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks crushed the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 10-5.
Ben Wells started and allowed three runs, but only one earned, on five hits over four innings. Wells struck out four and walked two.
Josh Davis got the win because Wells didn't pitch five innings. Davis tossed two scoreless innings in relief of Wells, allowing just two hits. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone.
It was a Boise debut to remember for 14th round pick Chesny Young. Young was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and he was hit by a pitch. Young scored three runs and drove home two.
Left fielder and third-round pick Mark Zagunis is off to a great start in Boise. Tonight he was 2 for 4 with a walk and two steals. Zagunis had two RBI.
Right fielder Jeffrey Baez went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. He was also hit by a pitch. Baez scored three runs and had one RBI.
Center fielder Rashad Crawford was 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI. He also scored once. Catcher Justin Marra went 2 for 5.
AZL Cubs
The Arizona Cubs were trailing the Rangers 6-5, in the sixth inning. I will update with the final score later.
Kyuji Fujikawa made his season debut in this game and pitched one inning. The only baserunner he allowed came on an error. He struck out one.
Seventh round pick James Norwood and 18th round pick Austin Willis had rough professional debuts. Norwood allowed three runs in one inning and Willis allowed two runs, one earned, in only a third of an inning.