NEWSLETTER
Bleacher Nation has readers everywhere, including, probably, the great state of Idaho. If you happen to live in the land of potatoes, mountains, the Hawks, and funky colored football fields, you could be the National Anthem Singer or Public Address Announcer for the Cubs’ Northwest League affiliate.
On June 2 anyone can wander by Memorial Stadium from 9 AM to 11 AM and try out. No experience necessary. No registration necessary. No age restrictions. Presumably you have to be human, but any talking animals with a great speaking voice who can correctly pronounce names from three different continents and several different lingual traditions should absolutely go for it! This could be the first step on a long and glorious journey that will end with you behind the microphone in Wrigley Field.
If any of you do happen to stop by for a tryout, be sure to head over to the Message Board and write up your experience. And, should you happen to be selected to sing or serve as a PA person, I think your performance could only be enhanced by some fine Bleacher Nation apparel.
AAA – Iowa Cubs. 24 – 27
The rains in Nebraska kept Iowa off the field. They’ll make up yesterday as part of a doubleheader today. Remember, as is almost always the case in the minors, double header games last seven innings instead of the usual nine.
AA – Tennesse Smokies. 22 – 31
It usually isn’t a good sign when the starting pitcher does not finish the fifth inning. That was the case in this game as the Smokies lost 6-4.
Dallas Beeler left the game after throwing 95 pitches. Thanks in part to giving up nine hits and two walks, those 95 pitches only got him four and two thirds innings. He took his fifth loss of the season.
Ty’relle Harris and Frank Batista combined for two and a third scoreless innings in relief. Marcus Hatley gave up a run on two hits in his two innings of work.
Junior Lake hit his third home run as part of a two hit game. He had the only multi-hit day for the Smokies. Matt Cerda doubled and Michael Brenly homered (his first) for the team’s only other extra base hits.
High A – Daytona Cubs. 20 – 30
It took another late rally, but Daytona pulled off the win, 6-5.
Frank Del Valle pitched a rocky four and a third innings, giving up five runs on four hits (two home runs) with two walks and three strikeouts. It was far from his best day on the mound, but thanks to the offense he escaped the loss.
The bullpen did a great job of shutting down the Manatees after Del Valle left. Hayden Simpson, Eduardo Figueroa, Tony Zych (who got the win) and Scott Weismann (who earned the save) all pitched well in relief.
John Andreoli was in the lead off slot for this game, and he made the most of it. He finished 2 for 3 with a run scored and two walks. He also stole his fifteenth base of the season. Since Andreoli was leading off, that meant Matthew Szczur was batting third. That also went well (1 for 3, 2 BB). Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 5 with his fourteenth steal. Nelson Perez stole his sixth base of the year.
Thanks to a dismal RISP number (2 for 12), it took Daytona 12 hits and four walks to score their six runs.
Low A – Peoria Chiefs. 23 – 30
Things went south quickly for the Chiefs, and it resulted in a 10-1 blowout loss.
Ben Wells was pitching fairly well when he suddenly exited with one out in the fourth inning. I’m not sure if he was ejected (he had just hit a batter), injured, on a pitch count, or what, but considering he had given up just one run on four hits with one walk while striking out four, it looks a little odd.
Starling Peralta collected five outs, walked five, and gave up a grand slam home run (and three total hits) in a complete disaster of an appearance. Felix Pena got two outs, but also allowed two more runs to score on three hits and two walks.
And that brings me to Hunter Cervenka. The guy we thought very little of when he arrived from the Boston system threw two and a third scoreless innings and struck out six. There is no need to rush to judgement quite yet, but his last two appearances have certainly gotten my attention.
There wasn’t much good news for the Chiefs at the plate in this game. Yaniel Cabezas and Wes Darvill both had two hits, but the team did not have any hits for extra bases.
