NEWSLETTER
The Cubs have three draft picks in the books, and another thirty nine to go.
I do want to thank all of you for hanging out in the comments, on the Message Boards, and on Twitter last night. I think I speak for Brett and I both when I say that covering a four hour long draft like that is exhausting, but you guys make it completely worthwhile. And we’ll be at it again this afternoon, covering rounds two through fifteen. I hope to see all you back here, on the Message Boards, and following along on Twitter (@bleachernation and @ltblaize).
By the way, there were some minor league games played yesterday.
AAA – Iowa Cubs. 25 – 32
Iowa lost another close game. The RedHawks beat the Cubs by a final of 6-5.
Chris Rusin gave up two home runs on his way to allowing five runs in five innings. This is the fourth start in a row in which Rusin’s hit totals have been higher than I like to see them. I’m not sure what the problem is, but I suspect the league may have adjusted to him. If that is the case, his job is now to adjust to the league and start shutting teams down again.
Esmailin Cardid allowed a solo home run and a walk while striking out three in his two innings of work, but that was enough for him to earn the loss. Mike MacDougal finished the game with a scoreless inning.
Chris Rusin helped his own cause with two hits and an RBI. Anthony Rizzo went 3 for 5 with a double, as did Ty Wright. Wright also hit his third home run of the season. Brett Jackson was 0 for 3, but he did walk twice and score a run. Josh Vitters was 0 for 5.
AA – Tennesse Smokies. 25 – 33
A big seventh inning was enough to lift the Smokies to a 7-4 win.
Dallas Beeler was effective, but he did not figure into the decision. Marcus Hatley pitched an inning and two thirds of scoreless relief, good for his second win of the season. Alberto Cabrera pitched a flawless ninth for his fifth save.
Justin Bour had the Smokies’ only extra base hit in this game, a double. Bour had two hits; James Adduci led the team with three hits. Adduci also stole his seventh base of the season.
High A – Daytona Cubs. 24 – 31
Daytona is starting to roll along, and they are doing it with a great mix of pitching and hitting. That combination led to an 8-3 road win on Monday night.
Frank Del Valle is now 4-1 this season after allowing just for hits over six innings in this game. Joseph Zeller gave up two runs in his two innings of relief. Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth.
Six different Cubs had multi-hit games, including a team leading three hit performance by Nelson Perez. John Andreoli, Arismendy Alcantara, Greg Rohan, Rubi Silva, and Taylor Davis all had two hits apiece.
Matt Szczur did not play in this game, and there is still no word on where he has been. He is not on the disabled list, the Cubs are quiet, the local press has nothing, and if any local fans have piped up with an answer to the mystery, I have not seen it yet. The most likely scenarios involves a minor illness or a day to day injury. We’ll keep an eye out for information and let you know if we learn anything.
Low A – Peoria Chiefs. 26 – 32
Peoria is slowly starting to climb the standings. After a 2-0 win on Monday, they are just six games under .500.
Ben Wells started this game, but he left after getting just six outs with an apparent injury. Luis Liria, Larry Suarez, and Sheldon McDonald each pitched two innings of shutout baseball before handing the game over to Yao-Lin Wang in the ninth. Wang collected his fifth save, and the Chiefs cashed in on a five pitcher shut out.
It’s a good thing the Chiefs had a shut out from their pitchers, because their offense was rather quiet. Pin-Chieh Chen had two of Peoria’s five hits. Javier Baez doubled for the team’s only extra base hit.
Along with Baez and Chen, Zeke DeVoss, Oliver Zapata, and Wes Darvill all had a stolen base in the game.
