Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-25-2007

[Slugger_16]

The second Tenn game for tonight has been PPD due to a rain delay prior to the start of the suspended game. A DH will be played tomorrow night.

[TruffleShuffle]

Me thinks the PCL pitching sucks, sucks, sucks.

 

pretty true, but iowa still has the best offense in the league.

[rabidawg900]

Soto & Nelson hit HRs, 17-4 Iowa in the 7th.

[E.J.]

Soto needs to be the starting catcher for the big league club. It's ridiculous that he didn't even get a chance.

[TruffleShuffle]

Soto has more XBHs tonight than the rest of our catchers do in like a month. His OPS is up to 1.021 now... hopefully he can get another AB tonight and go for the cycle!

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Kroeger just hit his 9th homer, 2nd of the night, 18-8

[TruffleShuffle]

darn, murton K's and Soto lines out in the 9th, so they won't be padding their stats again tonight.

 

By the way, Mike DeJean pitched the 9th for the Rockies. They have him and Dave Veres on their team... who's next, norm charlton?

[Skyballer]

Iowa has batted around in the 4th.

 

Murton just belted a Grand Slam. 15-0. He's 4 for 4 with 6 RBIs right now.

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

[TruffleShuffle]

dylan johnston hit a walkoff homer to give boise the 4-3 win... after losing their first 8 and 12 of their first 14, they've gone 16-6 to battle back to .500, and first place in their (lousy) division.

[Brian]

dylan johnston hit a walkoff homer to give boise the 4-3 win... after losing their first 8 and 12 of their first 14, they've gone 16-6 to battle back to .500, and first place in their (lousy) division.

 

 

Sounds like the big club, except the first place part.

[the splendid splinter]

How do you know its a lousy division? 1st of all, lot of the teams dont get their full staffs until July 1st or later. For instance Boise didnt have Donaldson, Thomas, Hempy and a few others until after July 1st and in some of those cases, the player isnt 100% ready, beccause the've been sitting for so long. Anyways its not how good the club is, its how many MAJOR LEAGUERS it can produce!

[YearofDaCubs]

Can we please just release Miller and call it a day already? The guy is done.

[Slugger_16]

IowaCubs.com[/url]"]Cubs Blow Out Sky Sox 18-8

Iowa Blasts Five Home Runs for Fourth Straight Win

By Deene Ehlis / http://www.iowacubs.com

 

Matt Murton drove in 6 runs with 4 hits, including a grand slam as Iowa pounded Colorado Spring 18-8. It was a single game high for runs this season for Iowa and tied the season high in hits for one game with 21. The Cubs also hit 5 home runs for the third time in a game this season. Josh Kroeger hit 2 home runs for Iowa and Geovany Soto and John Nelson had the other homers along with Murton's slam. Murton's grand slam capped an 8 run fourth inning for the I-Cubs.

 

J.R. Mathes pitched 5 2/3 innings to win his 8th game against six losses. With all the offense, mgr. Buddy Bailey commended Mathes on his outing, "When you look at how everybody else pitched here tonight for both clubs, J.R. gave us a solid job."

 

It was the Cubs fourth straight win and the 7th consecutive loss for Colorado Springs. Iowa remains 4 1/2 games behind Nashville in the American North.

 

SmokiesBaseball.com[/url]"]Mudcats drill Smokies in completion game 12-5

 

Sevierville, TN – Due to rainy weather, Wednesday night’s scheduled double header between the Tennessee Smokies and Carolina Mudcats was shortened to just the completion of last night’s rained shortened contest. As a result, the Smokies and Mudcats will play a double-header at Smokies Park on Thursday July 26th, with game 1 beginning at 5:15 pm. Gates will open at 4:30 pm on Thursday.

 

In the completion game from Wednesday night, the Smokies suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Mudcats by the score of 12-5. The game began as a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third inning, with the Smokies at the plate. Jemel Spearman, who had a huge game despite the loss, smacked a home run just over the left field wall to give the Smokies a 2-1 lead going into the fourth inning.

 

Chicago Cubs pitcher Wade Miller (0-1) came on in relief of last night’s starting pitcher Mike Nannini for a rehabilitation start. Miller struggled throughout the contest, lasting only three innings while giving up seven earned runs. Jai Miller of the Mudcats did the bulk of the damage, tagging the Smokies for three home runs in the game. Wade Miller gave up six hits but did strike out six Mudcat batters. By the time Miller departed the game, Carolina had a commanding 8-2 lead.

 

Things did not get better for the Smokies, as Paul Shappert surrendered an additional four runs to stake Carolina to a 12-2 lead after seven innings. The Smokies did not strike back until the bottom of the ninth, with Spearman crushing his 2nd home run of the night off the right field foul pole to pull Tennessee to 12-5. Matt Craig later grounded into a double play to end the Smokies threat.

 

Jimmy Serrano (4-1) notched the victory for the Mudcats, throwing 3 2/3 innings and allowing only one run to score. Spearman finished the game tonight with four RBI, his highest total of the season.

 

The Smokies will continue their series with the Carolina Mudcats on Thursday night with a double-header beginning at 5:15 pm. Probable starters for the Smokies will be RHP Mark Holliman (7-8, 3.08) to face Mudcats RHP Gaby Hernandez (6-8, 3.38) in game 1, and Smokies LHP Ryan O’Malley (0-0, 4.91) against Mudcats LHP Blake McKinley (3-6, 4.60).

 

DaytonaCubs.com[/url]"]Estrada Slays Cardinals in Game One

Cubs Explode Early, Cruise to 5-2 Win

 

[DAYTONA BEACH, FL] Jesse Estrada threw just his second professional complete game Wednesday as the big right-hander led the Daytona Cubs to a 5-2 victory over the Palm Beach Cardinals. The game was the first of a doubleheader at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

 

Estrada went the full seven innings, and allowed just two runs on six base hits. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter to up his record to 3-3.

 

The Cubs jumped on the Cardinals in the bottom of the first. Steve Clevenger sprayed an RBI base hit into left-center field to plate Jonathan Mota with the game's first run. Brian Dopirak followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Matt Camp. Alberto Garcia's single glanced off the pitcher's glove and caromed through the right side to put runners at first and third. Jeffrey Rea walked to load the bases, and Yusuf Carter ripped a two-run ground rule double to left-center to give Daytona a 4-0 advantage.

 

Brian Dopirak extended the lead in the bottom of the second. He crunched a solo home run over the wall in left-center to put the Cubs ahead, 5-0.

 

The Cardinals got on the board in the top of the fourth. John Jay doubled to right, and Brandon Yarbrough's RBI single made it 5-1. Two batters later, A.J. Van Slyke yanked a single into right field to score Yarbrough and cut the lead to 5-2.

 

Estrada took it from there, as he didn't allow a runner to reach second base for the final three innings.

 

Brad Furnish took the loss for the Cardinals, dropping to 0-2 on the season. Palm Beach fell to 14-17 with the defeat, while Daytona improved to 13-19 in the second half.

 

Carter led the Cubs' offense with a 2-for-3 game. He drove in a pair of runs.

 

DaytonaCubs.com[/url]"]Cubs Finish Sweep with 6-3 Triumph

Carter Drives in Three, Atkins Effective Again

 

[DAYTONA BEACH, FL] Yusuf Carter capped a phenomenal day at the plate with a two-run homer to lead the Daytona Cubs to a 6-3 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals. With the win, the Cubs secured their second doubleheader sweep of the season.

 

Carter had just three RBIs on the season coming into Wednesday's twinbill. He drove in five runs in the doubleheader, finishing 4-for-6 with a home run and a double on the day.

 

Mitch Atkins put together another strong start for Daytona. The right-hander improved his record to 8-6 as he notched the victory. Atkins went six innings, allowed two unearned runs on five hits, walked a batter and struck out two.

 

A solo home run by Kyle Reynolds put the Cubs ahead in the bottom of the second. He belted a 2-0 pitch over the wall in right field to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

 

Palm Beach tallied a pair of unearned runs in the third, taking advantage of Daytona mistakes. Nate Southard was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. Two batters later, James Rapoport bounced a ball back toward the mound. Atkins launched a throw past the first baseman which got lodged behind the tarp, and runners advanced to second and third. Dan Nelson followed with an RBI groundout and a single by John Jay plated Rapoport to give the Cardinals a 2-1 edge.

 

The Cubs tied the game in the fourth inning. Matt Camp started the frame with a double off the wall in right field. Steve Clevenger bounced a single up the middle to score Camp and knot the game at 2-2.

 

Daytona took the lead for good in the fifth inning. Alberto Garcia singled up the middle, then Matt Matulia legged out a bunt. Yusuf Carter dribbled a single up the middle to score Garcia and give Daytona a 3-2 lead. Then, Mark Reed bunted down the third base line to load the bases. Two batters later, Matt Camp rolled a grounder down the first-base line. Two Cardinal infielders waited for the ball to go foul, but it never did, and a run scored to make it 4-2 Daytona. Reliever Donnie Smith retired the next two batters to strand the bases loaded, but the damage had been done.

 

Daytona added some insurance runs in the sixth. Matt Matulia stroked a two-out single, then Carter blasted a 1-0 pitch to left for a two-run homer. Carter's third home run of the year made it 6-2.

 

The Cardinals threatened in the top of the seventh against reliever Yusdel Tuero. Back-to-back doubles by Chris Grossman and Isaias Garcia cut the lead to 6-3, but Tuero induced three straight outs to end the game.

 

In addition to Carter's big Game Two, Matt Matulia and Matt Camp each went 2-for-3. Camp doubled and scored a run and Matulia crossed the plate twice.

 

Daytona upped its record to 14-19 with the doubleheader sweep. Palm Beach fell to 14-18. Trey Hearne, who started on the mound for the Cardinals, dropped to 4-8.

 

The Cubs have Thursday off, with the Daytona Cubs Golf Extravaganza taking place at the Daytona Beach Golf Course.

 

Daytona is back on the field Friday to start a road series against the Jupiter Hammerheads. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

BoiseHawks.com[/url]"] Hawks Win on Johnston Walk-Off Home Run

 

The Boise Hawks beat the Vancouver Canadians Wednesday night, 4-3 on Dylan Johnston's one-out home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the second home run of the season for Johnston and the third walk-off home run for the Hawks. The win keeps the Hawks in first place with a 2 1/2 game lead over the Spokane Indians.

 

The Hawks were down 3-0 after five innings. Vancouver's Cory Brown hit a home run in the second inning off Boise starter Julio Castillo, Julio Rivera had an RBI single in the fourth inning and the Canadians scored one in the fifth without a hit.

 

Ty Wright tripled home a run in the sixth and scored on Josh Donaldson's sacrifice fly to get the first runs home for Boise. Wright brought in the tying run with a ground out in the seventh inning. Vancouver reliever Earl Oakes then retired six batters in a row until Johnston won it with his blast over the right-center field fence.

 

The Hawks reached the .500 mark for the third time this season with the win and maintained their hold of first place in the Eastern Division of the Northwest League.

 

The series continues Thursday night as the Hawks send left hander Arik Hempy to the mound. He will be opposed by the Canadians Hodsdon. Game time at Memorial Stadium in Boise is 7:15 p.m.

 

Wednesday's game, and all Hawks home games, are web cast and archived on the Hawks web site by Fiberpipe at http://www.Boisehawks.com.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

How do you know its a lousy division? 1st of all, lot of the teams dont get their full staffs until July 1st or later. For instance Boise didnt have Donaldson, Thomas, Hempy and a few others until after July 1st and in some of those cases, the player isnt 100% ready, beccause the've been sitting for so long. Anyways its not how good the club is, its how many MAJOR LEAGUERS it can produce!

 

I think the point is that it's a lousy division if .500 gets you to first place, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a commentary about the talent level.

[the splendid splinter]

How do you know its a lousy division? 1st of all, lot of the teams dont get their full staffs until July 1st or later. For instance Boise didnt have Donaldson, Thomas, Hempy and a few others until after July 1st and in some of those cases, the player isnt 100% ready, beccause the've been sitting for so long. Anyways its not how good the club is, its how many MAJOR LEAGUERS it can produce!

 

I think the point is that it's a lousy division if .500 gets you to first place, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a commentary about the talent level.

I guess if 500 is you gauge and your only talking win and loss % then thats great talk, I thought this was forum to talk about future major leaguers and not win/loss % ?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

How do you know its a lousy division? 1st of all, lot of the teams dont get their full staffs until July 1st or later. For instance Boise didnt have Donaldson, Thomas, Hempy and a few others until after July 1st and in some of those cases, the player isnt 100% ready, beccause the've been sitting for so long. Anyways its not how good the club is, its how many MAJOR LEAGUERS it can produce!

 

I think the point is that it's a lousy division if .500 gets you to first place, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a commentary about the talent level.

I guess if 500 is you gauge and your only talking win and loss % then thats great talk, I thought this was forum to talk about future major leaguers and not win/loss % ?

 

It was a throwaway comment when talking about the standings in the NWL, not intended to be any type of analysis on the players involved(although Truffle can correct me if I'm wrong).

[TruffleShuffle]

How do you know its a lousy division? 1st of all, lot of the teams dont get their full staffs until July 1st or later. For instance Boise didnt have Donaldson, Thomas, Hempy and a few others until after July 1st and in some of those cases, the player isnt 100% ready, beccause the've been sitting for so long. Anyways its not how good the club is, its how many MAJOR LEAGUERS it can produce!

 

I think the point is that it's a lousy division if .500 gets you to first place, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a commentary about the talent level.

I guess if 500 is you gauge and your only talking win and loss % then thats great talk, I thought this was forum to talk about future major leaguers and not win/loss % ?

 

It was a throwaway comment when talking about the standings in the NWL, not intended to be any type of analysis on the players involved(although Truffle can correct me if I'm wrong).

 

Yes... and I do look at W-L records, just because I like to root for the Cubs' minor league affiliates in their playoff races too.

[Lefty]

Soto needs to be the starting catcher for the big league club. It's ridiculous that he didn't even get a chance.

 

He started two games. We're in the race. How much leeway can we really afford?

[rabidawg900]

Cubs Prospect HRs hit yesterday:

 

Boise

SS Dylan Johnston - 2 for 4, HR (Walk-off), RBI, R, BB, SO (2 HR in 32 G)

 

Daytona

1B Brian Dopirak - 1 for 2, 1 "Dope-Slap!", 2 RBI, R (12 HR in 61 G)

 

Iowa

1B Josh Kroeger - 2 for 4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB (9 HR in 33 G)

RF Matt Murton - 4 for 6, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, SO (6 HR in 38 G)

C Geovany Soto - 3 for 5, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R (14 HR in 75 G)

 

That's 2 straight games Soto's gone deep. WTF Hendry.

 

 

Yesterday's Speed Demons:

 

Boise

2B Tony Thomas - 0 for 2, 2 BB, SO, 2 SB (6 SB in 9 G)

 

Iowa

CF Felix Pie - 4 for 6, 3B, 3 R, SB (8 SB in 45 G)

Edited July 26, 2007 by rabidawg900

[Outshined_One]

Soto needs to be the starting catcher for the big league club. It's ridiculous that he didn't even get a chance.

 

He started two games. We're in the race. How much leeway can we really afford?

 

Considering the combined production of our catchers thus far, it would be rather difficult for Soto to do any worse than Kendall or Hill.