The D-Cubs continue winning games down in the Florida State League and the Sluggin’ Smokies did what they do best … hit the baseball. But this week it was Ryan Flaherty and Rebel Ridling that stole the headlines from Brett Jackson. At Iowa, Jay Jackson made another start.
Doug Davis and Todd Wellemeyer will make their 2011 debuts this week … Davis for one of the A-ball affiliates Thursday and Wellemeyer in Triple-A.
All of that and more in this week’s Down on the Farm Report. Low Class-A – Peoria Chiefs (12-11)
After a day off, the Peoria Chiefs took the field against the Clinton Lumber Kings last Monday. The game was over almost before it started as Peoria put up eight runs in the second and cruised to a 14-2 whitewash. Matt Szczur, Pierre LePage, Greg Rohan, Micah Gibbs, Anthony Giansanti, and Arismendy Alcantara each had a two-hit game. Hayden Simpson pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs. Eric Jokisch finished the game for the victory.
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On Tuesday, Austin Kirk was mesmerizing for Peoria, as he went six innings against Clinton. The LumberKings managed only one earned run as “Kid K” punched out six in a 10-1 laugher. Bryce Shafer, Jeffry Antigua, and Yohan Gonzalez held Clinton scoreless the rest of the way.
The Chiefs’ three hottest hitters made significant contributions. Greg Rohan (3-for-5) and Micah Gibbs (2-for-3) each hammered a double, while Arismendy Alcantara (2-for-5) drove in four runs. Anthony Giansanti also had four RBI, including his first home run, a two-run shot.
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Greg Rohan (2-for-4) continued his hot streak Wednesday, blitzing the LumberKings with two homers and three RBI, as Peoria won 7-2. Matt Szczur has recently come alive, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
Dallas Beeler continued to impress, tossing three scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.29. Robinson Lopez let in one earned run in four innings of work for the victory.
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With a two game losing streak behind them, Hayden Simpson took the mound for the Chiefs on Saturday. Simpson had a rough start, allowing three earned runs in the first inning. However, he settled down to hold Beloit to one earned run while striking out five over the next 3.2 innings. Eric Jokisch didn’t fare much better, with four earned runs in 3.1 innings.
Luckily for the Peoria, they brought their bats. An 18-hit attack clubbed the Snappers in submission. Micah Gibbs (2-for-5) hit a two-run homer (his first of the season) while Smaily Borges (3-for-6) cranked two solo shots. Richard Jones, who has recently been swinging the bat well, was 3-for-6 with a double and three RBI. Marcus Hatley would later come in and slam the door, as Peoria defeated Beloit 13-8.
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High Class-A – Daytona Cubs (16-8)
After two days off, the D-Cubs took the field against the Tampa Yankees on Wednesday. Brent Ebinger struggled, allowing six earned runs in an 8-6 loss. Ryan Searle was the hard-luck loser, a victim of two unearned runs in the ninth.
The D-Cubs staged a late rally to defeat the Yankees on Thursday, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win 9-5. Jake Opitz and David Macias helped keep Daytona close by each going 2-for-4 with a home run. Justin Bour (1-for-3) added a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Junior Lake, Nelson Perez, and Jae-Hoon Ha each had multi-hit nights, with Ha now hitting safely in 13 of his last 14 games.
Brett Wallach allowed three runs (one earned) while striking out five in five innings to record his first victory. Eduardo Figueroa and Kevin Rhoderick each picked up a hold.
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On Friday, before the fans could get settled in their seats, the D-Cubs went up 4-0. Daytona would add four more runs and walk away with an 8-2 victory over Tampa. Justin Bour is making a comeback, going 2-for-3 with a three-run dinger. Nelson Perez and Michael Burgess also had multi-hit games.
Zachary Rosscup pitched his best game for the organization, hurling six innings of one run baseball. The left-hander struck out eight while walking four. Ryan Searle and Jordan Latham mopped up, with Searle allowing his first earned run of the year.
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Daytona managed only three hits on Saturday, but made them all count as they defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays 4-2. Jae-Hoon Ha started the scoring in the fourth inning with a two run bomb. Justin Bour followed with a homer of his own … back-to-back jacks. The D-Cubs added an unearned run in the seventh.
Nick Struck earned his third victory of the season, striking out six and allowing two earned runs in five innings of work. Jeffrey Beliveau and Frank Bautista each pitched scoreless innings. Beliveau earned his third hold while Bautista picked up his fifth save.
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Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (15-9)
After dropping a game to the Jackosnville Suns 8-4 on Monday, Trey McNutt took the hill for the Smokies on Tuesday. McNutt evened his record coming back from the DL, downing the Suns 6-1; he allowed an earned run and struck out four in five innings. Luke Sommer, Kyle Smit, and David Cales blanked Jacksonville the rest of the way.
The star of the night was Matt Spencer. Spencer was 4-for-5 with a double, triple, and two RBI. Ryan Flaherty (3-for-5, double) continued his hot hitting, while D.J. LeMahieu and Blake Lalli each had multi-hit games.
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The Double-A debut of Rob Whitenack ended up being spoiled, as Tennessee lost to Jacksonville 2-1 on Wednesday. The usually reliable David Cales gave up two earned runs in the ninth. Whitenack pitched six innings, striking out three and walking none.
In a see-saw affair on Thursday, the Smokies strong bullpen shut down Carolina for an 8-5 victory. Starter Alberto Cabrera gave up five runs (two earned) while striking out seven in five innings of work. Hung-Wen Chen and Marco Carrillo then slammed the door. Chen pitched three innings for his second hold. Carrillo, demonstrating his versatility and giving closer David Cales a break, picked up his first save.
Rebel Ridling (3-for-4, double) continued his torrid pace, raising his season average to .418. However, Steve Clevenger was the hitting star, pacing the attack with a 4-for-4 night and three RBI. Ryan Flaherty also continued to stay hot, chipping in two hits and an RBI.
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Once again, it was the bullpen to the rescue on Friday, as Tennessee came from behind to win 10-6. Brooks Raley struggled again, with five earned runs in 4.2 innings. Ty’Relle Harris, Ryan Buchter, Kyle Smit, and Blake Parker held Carolina to one run the rest of the way, Buchter earning the victory.
With an 18-hit attack, it would take too much room listing the offensive standouts. Blake Lalli (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Ryan Flaherty (2-for-5, 2 RBI) each launched home runs. Steve Clevenger and James Adduci each had 3-for-5 nights. Clevenger added a triple to his résumé while Adduci stole his sixth base.
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Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (12-11)
As Iowa took the Field against Memphis on Monday, it seems as if someone forgot to tell the pitchers. In a good old-fashioned slugfest, Iowa defeated the Redbirds 12-8. Luis Montanez was absolutely unstoppable, 4-for-5 with three doubles, a home run, and four RBI. Brad Snyder, Welington Castillo, Scott Moore, and Marquez Smith each had two hits. What can you say about pitching that gave up eight earned runs and eleven hits?
Robert Coello got the win, Polin Trinidad a hold, and Esmailin Caridad his first save.
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The I-Cubs halted a two game skid by defeating the Omaha Storm Chasers 4-3 on Friday. Marquez Smith was responsible for putting Iowa ahead with a three-run blast in the top of the ninth. Ramon Ortiz went six innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out five. Scott Maine pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the victory.
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Iowa ended the week on a high note, outlasting Omaha 7-5 on Sunday. Jay Jackson, getting his third start, was staked to a 6-0 lead in the second inning. The scoring was capped by Brad Snyder’s (2-for-4) three-run blast. However, Jackson allowed four earned runs while getting only one out in the fifth inning. Austin Bibens-Dirkx shut out the Storm Chasers for 1.2 innings for the victory. John Gaub and Chris Carpenter earned holds, while Scott Maine recorded his fourth save.
Luis Montanez continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Scott Moore and Max Ramirez joined Montanez and Snyder with multi-hit games.
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News and Notes
The Iowa Cubs released RHP Jake Muyco. Right Handed pitcher Robert Whitenack was assigned to Tennessee from the Daytona Cubs. The Tennessee Smokies released LHP Luke Sommer.
Tennessee placed RHP David Cales on the 7-Day disabled list. Right Handed pitcher Kevin Rhoderick was assigned to Tennessee from Daytona Cubs. RHP Eduardo Figueroa and RHP Juan Serrano were assigned to the Daytona Cubs from the Peoria Chiefs.
The Daytona Cubs activated OF Nelson Perez and RHP Dae-Eun Rhee from the 7-Day disabled list. Daytona placed C Mario Mercedes on the 7-Day disabled list. Peoria Chiefs activated RHP Marcus Hatley from the 7-Day disabled list. LHP Casey Harman was assigned to the Peoria Chiefs from Cubs Extended Spring Training. Catcher Chad Noble was assigned to AZL Cubs from Peoria Chiefs.
Matt Szczur, a former wide receiver at Villanova, was not drafted in this week’s NFL Draft.
Top Prospect Watch
- Michael Burgess (OF) – .200, .247 OBP, .735 OPS, 5 Doubles, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 2 Outfield Assists (Daytona Cubs)
- Chris Carpenter (RHP) – 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 12.0 IP, 4 ER, 13 K, 8 BB, Hold, Save 1.42 WHIP (Iowa Cubs)
- Micah Gibbs (C) – .375, .500 OBP, 1.000 OPS, 3 Doubles, HR, 6 RBI, Stolen Base (Peoria Chiefs)
- Reggie Golden (OF) is in extended Spring Training
- Jae-Hoon Ha (OF) – .347, .358 OBP, .903 OPS, 7 Doubles, Triple, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 5 Stolen Bases, 4 Outfield Assists (Daytona Cubs)
- Brett Jackson (OF) – .302, .408 OBP, .919 OPS, 5 Doubles, 2 Triples, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 8 Stolen Bases, Outfield Assist (Tennessee Smokies)
- D.J. LeMahieu (IF) – .302, .340 OBP, .747 OPS, 6 Doubles, HR, 11 RBI, 3 Stolen Bases (Tennessee Smokies)
- Trey McNutt (RHP) – 1-2, 2.55 ERA, 17.2 IP, 5 ER, 14 K, 5 BB, 1.36 WHIP (Tennessee Smokies)
- Hayden Simpson (RHP) – 0-1, 5.06 ERA, 21.1 IP, 12 ER, 20 K, 6 BB 1.64 WHIP (Peoria Chiefs)
- Matt Szczur (OF) – .319, .405 OBP, .796 OPS, 5 Doubles, 4 RBI, 2 Stolen Bases (Peoria Chiefs)
- Josh Vitters (3B) -.228, .282 OBP, .700 OPS, 6 Doubles, 3 HR, 14 RBI (Tennessee Smokies)
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