Journeymen of tomorrow: Cubs minor league recap (6.16.16)

Iowa Cubs 6 @ Colorodo Springs Sky Sox 5

Four I-Cubs hitters had three hits apiece and none of them were Willson Contreras. Contreras was 1-5 with an RBI and extended his hitting streak to some number I don’t care about, but maybe you do. What I do care about is that the Cubs best catcher is catching games for the Iowa Cubs. The Cubs have a huge lead and can afford to take their time for whatever reason they think necessary, but the bottom line is that the Cubs are not fielding their best team and that bothers me whether it’s 2006, 2013 or 2016.

John Andreoli was 3-5 with a triple, RBI, run scored and 2 strikeouts. Mark Zagunis was 3-4 with 2 doubles, a walk and 2 runs scored. Jeimer Candelario was perfect at the plate. He was 3-3 with a triple, walk, RBI and run scored. He was also hit by a pitch. Logan Watkins was 3-4 with 2 RBI and a walk. He also stole 2 bases. Munenori Kawasaki was 1-3 and David Freitas was 1-5 with a double.

Rob Zastryzny was not good. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 3 hits and 3 runs, which isn’t terrible by itself, but in typical Cubs fashion, he walked 5 and struckout none. If C.J. Edwards could find the strike zone, he might replace Clayton Richard, but that’s not easy for him. He pitched a hitless 8th inning, but did allow a walk. Spencer Patton allowed a hit and struckout 2 for his 7th save.

Tennessee Smokies @ Jackson Generals (postponed)

Frederick Keys 0 @ Myrtle Beach Pelicans 1

The Pelicans only needed a run, which they scored in the 4th inning. They only need 5 hits and they improved to 34-31.

Rashad Crawford was 2-4 with a double and a strikeout. Gleyber Torres was 1-4 with a strikeout and he committed his 13th error of the season. Jason Vosler was 1-3 with a strikeout and Charcer Burks was  1-3 with a double and a strikeout.

The Pelicans took only 2 walks and struckout 13 times. Gioskar Amaya was 0-3 with 3 strikeouts.

Jake Stinnett improved to 5-3 behind a very good performance. He pitched 7 innings, allowed 8 hits and 0 runs. He walked 2 and struckout 7. Ryan McNeil picked up his 5th save of the season with 2 innings of no-hit baseball. He struckout a batter.

Stinnett was the 45th overall pick in the 2014 draft (2nd round). He hasn’t done a whole lot since being drafted. He pitched in only 11 innings in 2014 and is already 24 years old. He’s old for High A, but he’s finally putting together a decent season so there’s that.

South Bend Cubs 2 @ Dayton Dragons 3

The Cubs had runners on base all night long, but blew some opportunities to win this game. They had 9 hits and 2 walks, as well as 3 doubles and only plated 2 runs.

Ian Rice was 2-4 with a double, home run, RBI , strikeout and run scored. That was his 7th home run this year. Eloy Jimenez was 2-4 with a double, strikeout and run scored. Eddy Martinez was also 2-4 with a double and a strikeout.

The Cubs 6, 7 and 8 hitters combined to go 0-10 with an RBI. CF Roberto Caro was 2-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Ryan Kellogg pitched well enough to win. He threw 6.2 innings, allowed 7 hits and 3 runs. He didn’t walk anybody and struckout 6. He surrendered 1 home run. Scott Efforts pitched the final 1.1 innings and allowed 2 hits and a walk. He struckout a batter.

DSL Yankees1 11 @ DSL Cubs1 3

The Cubs1 had 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 errors. Luis Hidalgo was 2-3 with a home run, walk, RBI and 2 runs scored. Henderson Perez had the other hit. He was 1-3 with a walk and a strikeout. The Cubs did take 7 walks and only struckout 3 times. Jose Jules was 0-1 with an RBI and 2 walks.

Riger Fernandez dropped to 0-2 after throwing 3.2 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and 5 walks. He struckout 5 and gave up a home run. Charlie Sheen’s long lost brother did not do much winning. He pitched 1.1 innings, allowed 3 hits, 4 walks and 4 runs. Juan Rengifo picked right up from there. He pitched 2 innings, gave up 4 hits, 3 walks and 5 runs. The only pitcher who pitched halfway decently was Aneuris Rosario who pitched 2 innings, allowed 0 hits or runs and somehow managed to not walk anybody. He also struckout 2.

You aren’t going to win many games when you give up 9 hits and walk 12 batters.

DSL Cubs2 14 @ DSL Twins

All of the starters except their number 2 hitter, Aramis Ademan (SS) had a hit. Ademan was 0-5 with a walk, 2 strikeouts and an RBI. Let’s do some bullets.

• Yovanny Cuevas (CF): 2-4, triple, 4 RBI, walk, 2 strikeouts, run scored
• Miguel Amaya (1B): 2-4, RBI, walk, 2 runs scored
• Tony Rijo (RF): 1-4, double, 2 RBI, strikeout 3 runs scored
• Henrry Pedra (3B): 1-3, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, 3 runs scored

Carlos Ocampo threw 4 innings, allowed 3 hits and 3 runs. He walked 3 and struckout 4. Ivan Medina picked up the win and improved to 3-0. He threw 4 innings, allowed 5 hits and a run. He walked 1 and struckout 2. Sucre Valdez struckout a batter and pitched a clean 9th.