NEWSLETTER
Cub fans in Memphis had a great time on Tuesday night. In addition to the barbecue and Elvis impersonators, they got to watch the Iowa Cubs take very extending batting practice at the expense of the Memphis Cardinals.
Of course, Cub fans in Daytona didn’t have such a bad night either. The Cubs lost the game, but it took extra innings to settle the affair.
Cub fans in Cincinnati just got all wet.
AAA – Iowa Cubs. 10 – 14
Cub fans rejoice! The Memphis Cardinals were blown out by the Iowa Cubs by a score of 13-4. The game wasn’t even that close.
Jay Jackson struck out six over five innings and picked up the win. The Cubs’ bullpen allowed just one run over the remaining four innings.
The offense pounded out twenty hits, including four doubles and a home run. Brett Jackson led the way with four hits (and two doubles), but he was far from the only multi-hit Cub. In fact, of starting the position players, only catcher Juan Apodaca and first baseman Anthony Rizzo had just a single hit on the night. Apodaca offset his lack with two walks. Rizzo, on the other hand, walked just once and struck out twice.
Among the prospects in the starting lineup, Dave Sappelt went 3 for 6 with a double and a home run, Adrian Cardenas was 3 for 5, and Josh Vitters was 2 for 5. Even Jay Jackson collected a hit, a run, and an RBI.
On a night like this it is probably best to take all of these results with a grain of salt. When any team has twenty hits in a game, I think more blame lies with the pitchers than credit with the hitters. Even so, hopefully this will be the game that kicks players like Jackson and Vitters into a hot streak.
AA – Tennesse Smokies. 11 – 15
Tennessee led early, but the bullpen let it slip away. The final score showed a 6-5 Smokies loss.
Brooks Raley pitched six solid innings and left with the lead. Kevin Rhoderick held that lead, but Brian Schlitter had a rough night and let it slip away. Jeffry Antigua was nearly perfect in the ninth.
Logan Watkins and Michael Burgess both homered as part of their two hit nights. Justin Bour also had two hits, and Jae-Hoon Ha smacked a double. In all Tennessee finished with twelve hits and were 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
High A – Daytona Cubs. 7 – 18
Daytona took this one into the tenth inning, and then the bullpen gave out. The Cubs lost in extras 7-3.
Austin Kirk struck out four in his eight good innings of work, but Larry Suarez blew the save in the ninth and then lost the game in the tenth. For the season, Kirk has an ERA of 1.69. Opponents are hitting just .194 off the left hander. Another few games like this one and the Cubs should consider sending Kirk to Tennessee.
The Daytona offense managed just five hits, including a triple by Rubi Silva and doubles by Nelson Perez and Arismendy Alcantara. Daytona made the most of their chances, though, and were 1 for 3 with runners in scoring position.
Low A – Peoria Chiefs. 10 – 15
Peoria had a day off on Tuesday.
