June 2, 2004 - Minor League Report

Notes: Wahoo!!! The whole system decided to take a loss yesterday. The team of the day? Daytona, who had a day off. The Diamond Jaxx even managed to lose twice. Nice.

Farm Player of the Day: Dwaine Bacon CF, Diamond Jaxx: 3-5, R, 3B (5), BB, RBI (11), 2 SB (31) in two games.

Iowa Cubs 5, Nashville Sound (PIT) 7 - - Box Score

Wouldn't you know it, a Pittsburgh farm team trails late in the game, but still pulls out a victory against a Chicago team. Sound familiar? Trailing 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh the Sound made some noise (sorry for the horrible pun) by reeling off 5 straight hits to score 4 runs and take the lead for good.

On the bright side of things, Trenidad Hubbard started a new hitting streak by going 2-5 with a HR, 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored. This after an 0-4 day on June 1st ended his previous hitting streak of 18 games.

Additional Stats:
Gookie Dawkins: 0-2 K and a fielding error (Welcome to the Cubs)
Bill Selby: 2-5, RBI (21)
Brendan Harris: 2-4, R, 2B (7), RBI (11)

Record: 30-23, 1/2 GB of Albuquerque
Streak: Lost 1

Game 1: West Tenn Diamond Jaxx 1, Birmingham Barons (CHI) 4 - - Box Score
Game 2: West Tenn Diamond Jaxx 3, Birmingham Barons (CHI) 4 - - Box Score

Okay, I am quickly learning that Minor League game recaps aren't all they could be. For instance:

Eduardo Villacis pitched a complete game shutout and the Birmingham Barons defeated the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, 4-1 in game one of their doubleheader Wednesday.

That is strange seeing as how Villacis didn't pitch a complete game and the Diamond Jaxx scored a run. I mean, at least look at the score. I know it is tough, but when writing a 100 word game recap you shouldn't have problems getting facts straight; you are only stating like four of them.

Annnnyyyway, the Diamond Jaxx were pretty much shut down by Villacis (6IP, 0ER, 4K's, 0BB) while Bobby Brownlie, on the other hand, struggled to contain the potent (like I know) Baron offense giving up four runs on eight hits in a six inning COMPLETE GAME performance.

In game two things didn't get much better as a Birmingham single in the bottom of the 7th plated the winning run sending the Diamond Jaxx to their second loss of the day, even though they had the Player of the Day (see above) on their team. Sad, sad, sad.

Additional Stats:
Mike Dzurilla: 2-3 R, 2B (5), BB, RBI (22)
Russ Rohlicek: L (4-4), 1.2 IP, H, R, 2 BB, K (wonder if girls are still asking for his number; see bottom of post)

Record: 30-23, 2 games up
Streak: Lost 2

Daytona Cubs - - scheduled off day

Record: 31-24, 2 1/2 GB of Palm Beach
Streak: Lost 1

Lansing Lugnuts 5, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (SEA) 7 - - Box Score
Ooohh, I like the recap the Timber Rattlers provide over the internet; short and sweet. I am going to steal it as there is not much more to say:

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers banged three home runs and Eric O'Flaherty pitched seven strong innings as Wisconsin beat the Lansing Lugnuts 7-5 Wednesday night at Oldsmobile Park. Chris Colton, Wladimir Balentien, and Brent Metheny all homered for the Rattlers.

Additional Stats:
Brian Dopirak: 2-4, R, RBI (36), HR (13 - second most in the Midwest League)
Carlos Mejia: 2-4, R, RBI (20), 3B (2)

Record: 31-22, 4 GB of South Bend
Streak: Lost 1

Post Script: I will try to issue this report on a daily basis, but I cannot make any promises. Well, I can, but I will most likely break them. If I get up early in the morning it will be posted then, but if I were you, I would usually expect it later in the day. On another note, I would like to thank Brad over at No Pepper for allowing me to pretty much steal the whole format of his Braves minor league report.

Also, if someone has a deep seeded desire to help out with this report please feel free to let me know.

Minor League Report - May 31, 2004

Iowa Cubs (AAA):
Current Record: 29-22, 1/2 game behind

May 31, 2004:

In an apparent attempt to copy the big club's performance earlier in the week, Iowa went down to the Oklahoma Redhawks 14-10 on a grand slam in the top of the 9th by David Newhan (still checking to see if the kid recently had a baby). The loss in the series finale drops the beloved Cubbies down to 2nd place in the PCL Central Division, trailing the Albuquerque Isotopes by a 1/2 game.

Box Score

Notes of interest:

- Trenidad Hubbard extended his hitting streak to 18 games with 2 hits in Monday's game.
- Every starter on the Cubs nabbed at least one hit for the second straight day.
- Infielder Matt Creighton, who was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Cubs in 2002, has batted a robust 12-22 with 2 HR and 7 RBI's in his last six games, and is now batting .395 in his 16 games with the Cubs

Next game: 7:00 @ Nashville Sounds

West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (AA):
Current Record: 29-20, 2.5 games up in the Western Division

May 31, 2004:

Off

Notes of interest:

- Richard Lewis (acquired in the Juan Cruz trade) is 19 for his last 31, during which he has scored 12 times, driven in 13, hit 4 2B's, 2 3B's, and 2 HR for a insane 1.065 slugging percentage over the last seven games.

Next game: 6:00 @ Birmingham and 9:00 @ Birmingham

A Teams:

Daytona Cubs: 30-23, 2.5 GB - Last: 12-10 Win over Vero Beach - Next: 6:00 @ Vero Beach

Lansing Lugnuts: 30-21, 3GB - Last: 13-1 Win over Cedar Rapids - Next: 7:05 vs Wisconsin

Boise Hawks: 0-0, 0GB - Last: None - Next: 06/18 7:05 vs Spokane