NEWSLETTER
There were no wins in the Cubs’ farm system on Tuesday. Iowa played a pretty good game in the afternoon, but Tennessee could not hit in the evening and neither of the A-ball games were particularly good. The Daytona game was outstandingly bad (again). So, before we start sifting through all the bad news looking for a few shining nuggets of good, I think we should contemplate something pleasant. How about pancakes?
I like pancakes. I especially like pancakes that are stacked with melted butter and strawberry jam and drizzled with warm maple syrup. There is nothing wrong with waffles, crepes, or johnny cakes, but none of those quite equal the delicious goodness of pancakes.
Did I mention that there were no wins in the Cubs’ farm system on Tuesday?
AAA – Iowa Cubs. 3 – 3
Jeff Beliveau gave up a solo home run in the ninth, and that run proved to be the difference. Iowa lost by a score of 6-5.
Iowa did not get many chances to score on Tuesday, but they took advantage of what chances they had. Their five runs came from just seven hits. As a team, they were four for eight with runners in scoring position. Adrian Cardenas continued his run of good hitting by driving both a double and a home run in the game. Josh Vitters also collected two hits in addition to his third walk of the season.
Starting pitcher Randy Wells gave up four runs in his six innings of work, striking out five. After two starts, his ERA now sits at 5.25. That’s probably not the fastest way for him to make it back to Chicago.
The home run off Beliveau was the only blemish in his inning and a third. Unfortunately, it was the game winner.
AA – Tennesse Smokies. 4 – 2
The usually reliable Tennessee bullpen was unreliable on Tuesday, but the Smokies’ lack of offense was the bigger problem. Tennessee lost 5-1.
James Adduci led off the game with a home run, but the only other hit for the Smokies was a lone double by Jae-Hoon Ha.
Nicholas Struck followed up his ten strikeout performance by fanning five over six innings. He only allowed two runs despite giving up two walks and six hits, but that was enough for the loss. The bullpen gave up three more runs before Joeseph Zeller came in to pitch a perfect ninth.
Bleacher Nation reader Brandon Howes was at the game, and reported via Twitter that Michael Burgess collected a nice outfield assist by gunning down a runner at the plate. Burgess should have both the range and the arm to play in right field for the Cubs one day, if he can improve his game at the plate. This season he has gotten off to a very encouraging start; hopefully he can keep it up.
High A – Daytona Cubs. 1 – 4
The good news is that Daytona pounded out eleven hits and Austin Kirk had a fairly nice game. The bad news includes nearly everything else. Despite all those hits, Daytona managed to score just two runs on the night. When you combine the ten men they left on base with the four errors they committed in the field, it is no surprise they lost 4-2.
If you’re counting, Daytona has now committed nine errors in two games. The culprits tonight included Ronald Torreyes (twice), Arismendy Alcantara, and Austin Kirk.
Other than his error, Kirk had a fairly good game. He and Casey Harmon held Dunedin scoreless through seven innings, but Tony Zych was victimized by errors and gave up the winning runs in the eighth.
Elieser Bonne had his best game of the season for the Cubs. His two hits drove in both of the Cubs’ runs, and he stole second twice. He was also picked off of second base and was gunned down stealing third, so even his night wasn’t all good.
Low A – Peoria Chiefs. 2 – 3
Zeke DeVoss singled in the first, and Rafael Lopez drove him home. That was the extent of the Chiefs’ offense. Peoria fell 7-1.
Starter Willengton Cruz and finisher Luis Liria accounted for all the runs Quad City scored. In between those two, Scott Weismann and Jeffrey Lorick pitched four and a third perfect innings.
Including DeVoss, there were a grand total of five Peoria base runners all night. This was not a good game for the Chiefs.
And now for some better news. Iowa area Bleacher Nation fans are planning to pick an Iowa Cubs’ home game and gather at the ballpark. Details are being discussed in this thread on the Message Boards. If you live in the area (or could travel in for the festivities) and would like to attend the game, be sure to let your fellow Bleacher Nation readers know. If you happen to live near a different Cub farm team, why not start planning a Bleacher Nation event of your own? Just create a thread in the Message Boards and get to planning. This might also be a good time to check out Bleacher Nation’s fine selection of quality apparel.
