Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 30

So I went to the Ems game tonight in Boise. I'd be glad to answer any questions you have, although I will have to admit that I only saw nine innings and to get a good scouting impression, you need to see more than that.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs dropped a doubleheader to the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 4-2 and 5-4 in eight innings. Iowa lost both games in walkoff fashion.

In game one, Adam Warren made his second start for Iowa, and it went a lot better than the first one. Warren allowed two runs on three hits over five innings. Both runs came on a home run in the fourth inning to former Cub Justin Ruggiano. He struck out three and walked no one.

Gerardo Concepcion took the loss when he gave up at two-run walkoff home run to Ruggiano. Concepcion pitched 1+ innings and gave up one hit and a walk. He did not strike anyone out.

Jeimer Candelario hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was his seventh of the season and third for Iowa. He was 2 for 3.

In game two, starter Drew Rucinski allowed four runs on six hits over 6.2 innings. He walked two and struck out five.

Rucinski came within one out of a complete game, but he was pulled after allowing a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh. Corey Black came on to get the save, but he gave up a wild pitch and an RBI single to blow the save. Then Black went on to pitch the eighth and allowed a two-out walk, a stolen base and a walkoff single. Black's finally line was one inning, allowing one run on two hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Right fielder Juan Perez hit two solo home runs tonight. The first came in the first inning and the second came in the fourth. Perez was 2 for 4.

Shortstop Munenori Kawasaki was 2 for 3 in game two.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blotted out the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 2-1 in ten innings.

Duane Underwood Jr. had a great start tonight, giving up just one unearned run on four hits over six innings. Underwood struck out two and walked one.

Juan Paniagua pitched the bottom of the ninth and immediately got into trouble. A walk and a single put runners on first and third with no outs to start the inning. Paniagua then intentionally walked the bases loaded. Paniagua then got out of the jam with a strikeout, a grounder to first that forced the runner at the plate and a then a strikeout ended the inning. Paniagua got the win when the Smokies scored in the top of the tenth.

David Berg got the save in much less dramatic fashion. He faced three batters and retired them all with ground outs.

Chesny Young scored the eventual winning run in the top of the tenth on a Victor Caratini ground out. Young was 1 for 5. Caratini was also 1 for 5 and he doubled and scored in the top of the ninth to tie the game up.

Ian Happ was 2 for 5.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost to the Potomac Nationals, 3-2 in ten innings.

Jeremy Null pitched the first six innings and surrendered two runs on eight hits. Null struck out three and walked one.

James Pugliese took the loss in relief. Pugliese pitched 1.2 innings and gave up one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out two.

DH Ian Rice hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was his second Pelicans blast and 11th overall. Rice was 1 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs sank the Lake County Captains (Indians), 1-0.

Preston Morrison got the win. He allowed six hits over 7.1 innings. That he didn't allow any runs was probably because he didn't walk anyone and he struck out five.

Craig Brooks pitched the final 1.2 innings for the save. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two.

The lone run of the game came when Carlos Sepulveda led off the sixth inning with a bunt single.  He stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Donnie Dewees ground out. Sepulveda was 1 for 4. The SB Cubs managed to win despite getting only three hits tonight.

Highlights

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds clipped the Boise Hawks (Rockies), 5-1.

Starter Bryan Hudson had some serious control issues tonight. Although he allowed just one run on two hits (one hit could have been ruled an error and the other one was a massive home run to right field), he walked seven and he hit one batter. Hudson only managed one strikeout in the four innings he pitched.

Enrique De Los Rio was terrific in relief, however, and he picked up his second win of the season because Hudson didn't go five innings. De Los Rio three three innings without allowing a hit or a run. He walked two and struck out four.

Left fielder Robert Garcia was 3 for 4 with two doubles. He scored one run and both of his doubles drove in one run each.

First baseman Chris Pieters was 2 for 4 with a triple and a run scored. He also stole a base. Second baseman Yeiler Peguero was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Mariners, 8-7 in ten innings.