If you made it out to Geneva tonight, the Chiefs sure did put on a good show for you.
Rich Harden goes for the Iowa Cubs tomorrow. Monday. [Edit: Harden's rehab start pushed back a day]
Iowa Cubs
The I-Cubs stopped the Round Rock Express, 3-1.
It's been a rough season for Mitch Atkins so far, but all of that was forgotten tonight as Atkins allowed only one run on a solo home run over seven innings. Atkins gave up seven hits total and most impressively, struck out seven express hitters and walked nobody on the way to his third victory of the season.
Blake Parker has been lights out since assuming the I-Cubs closer position a little less than a month ago. Parker notched his sixth save tonight with a scoreless ninth. He allowed one hit, walked nobody and struck out one. He now has not allowed a run in his last ten appearances and has an ERA in AAA of 0.82.
Aaron Miles played third base in a rehab start and was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Center fielder Sam Fuld went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Second baseman Matt Camp was 3 for 3.
Tennessee Smokies
Two down, ten more to go. The Smokies won their second game in a row tonight by blinding the Chattanooga Lookouts, 5-3.
Hung-Wen Chen notched his third victory by allowing three runs in five innings. As per usual for Chen when he's going good, he scattered nine hits and didn't walk anyone while striking out four.
Brian Schlitter got into trouble again in the ninth inning, loading the bases on three singles with only one out. However, a strikeout and a ground out got him his seventh save with no damage done. Schlitter had two strikeouts in the inning.
Second baseman Tony Thomas busted out tonight by going 3 for 3 with a walk and a double. Thomas also stole two bases and scored twice.
Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.
Daytona Cubs
The D-Cubs got pinched by the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 10-2.
The day after Ryan Searle got named to the FSL All-Star Game, he got blasted for six runs in a 3.1 inning start. Searle gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out three.
DH Jake Opitz hit his first home run of the season. Opitz was 2 for 4 with two RBI.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs went to Geneva tonight and clobbered the Kane County Cougars, 8-1.
Aaron Shafer had his first start since coming off the DL and had three shutout innings. He allowed two hits and neither walked nor struck anyone out.
Jeff Beliveau got the win by tossing another four shutout innings of relief. Beliveau gave up only two hits and issued only two walks. He struck out five. Beliveau has now struck out 44 batters in 34.2 innings. If he just hadn't walked 23 batters this season.
Ryan Flaherty hit his sixth home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Flaherty went 1 for 5 with 3 RBI.
Kyler Burke went 1 for 3 with a double and two walks. Burke leads the Midwest League with 22 doubles.
Josh Vitters had another "ho-hum" 2 for 4 with a double game. Vitters scored twice and had an RBI. He was also hit by a pitch again, so I don't wonder if the early book on him is to try to jam him inside.
Center fielder David Macias, left fielder Josh Harrison, DH Nelson Perez and catcher Mario Mercedes were all 2 for 5 tonight. Macias, Perez and Mercedes each hit a double. Macias, Harrison and Mercedes each scored a run and Harrison chipped in one RBI.
0 recs | 28 comments
Vitters
Apparently he bats right on the plate, which explains the 8 HBPs already.
Raisin - June 6, 2009
It's as good as a walk!
Maybe he’s so impatient he just can’t wait for the pitcher to throw him four balls. :-)
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
Here's a photo I took of Vitters
hitting in Boise last season.
Stance is slightly open. Back foot is somewhat close to the plate, but he’s not hanging over it. Maybe a little. Not the best angle to tell, however.
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
Was that in the throwback game?
Those look like the 1908 replica uniforms they wore in one game last year.
Al Yellon - June 7, 2009
Yes it was
Those uniforms were spectacular.
Raisin - June 7, 2009
Wel... he must be crowding the plate somewhat.
Don’t ya think?
The HBP, is almost becoming a regular box score for him. LOL.
SackMan - June 7, 2009
Watched most of the Cubs game tonight....
Didn’t hear Brenely go on and on about his son. Maybe he did yesterday?
Madison Cub Fan - June 6, 2009
I didn't watch last night
so I don’t know if he did then. He didn’t tonight.
But as much as I like to tease Brenly for his being a proud dad, I am actually glad he is because he calls attention to the whole farm system when he does so.
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
Which is more than you can say for just about any other announcer
Madison Cub Fan - June 7, 2009
And, Michael Brenly looks like an actual prospect...
… maybe the Cubs got lucky here.
Al Yellon - June 7, 2009
He's a great prospect
for someone taken as a nepotism pick in the 36th round. He seems to have really good defensive skills. He probably projects out as a major league backup, but I can see him having a career like Koyie Hill. Maybe a little better, if given the opportunity.
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
For a 36th round pick...
… that’s a pretty good upside. Most picks that low never see even a cuppa coffee in the major leagues.
Al Yellon - June 7, 2009
Exactly
If you get a major leaguer after the 20th round, you’re happy.
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
How exactly did...
Vitters score twice and drive in a run, despite the Chiefs only scoring one?
ChiCubs23 - June 7, 2009
They scored 8
Kane County scored 1
CHCOWNTHECENTRAL - June 7, 2009
What happened to Yusuf Carter?
I know he was taken by the A’s in the rule 5 draft, but he hasn’t appeared in a game and last night I saw he is playing in Stockton. I never heard anything about Oakland sending us a player so did they just send cash in exchange for Carter?
CHCOWNTHECENTRAL - June 7, 2009
He was in the AAA Rule 5 draft
rlpete - June 7, 2009
Which means
He should be in Sacramento, not Stockton. He needed to stay at AAA.
I’m guessing that the Athletics offered him back to us and we said “No thanks, you keep him.” He was a strong candidate to get cut by us anyway. Any player we would have gotten back for Yusuf Carter wouldn’t have been worth it.
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
How
much longer until Vitters heads up to Daytona? Or maybe even TN
wild bill - June 7, 2009
I'm guessing sometime after the draft.
Al Yellon - June 7, 2009
Good point
thanks
wild bill - June 8, 2009
Harden
our morning paper said he was pushed back a day due to sickness. This info was somewhat buried in with Miles going 2-3 last night. I cannot find any other confirmation because I was going to the game today. The I-Cubs were expecting a big crowd with Harden pitching and probably don’t want to advertise that he was pushed back. I think it may not be sickness but all the rain we’ve had and more threats today, they may want Harden to pitch on “dry ground” instead of chancing a slip and throwing his back out of whack again. If anyone finds out more, please post!
mrcubsfan - June 7, 2009
Harden
Officially pushed back to Monday, according to I-Cubs Twitter.
Josh Timmers - June 7, 2009
Which means...
… the rotation for the upcoming weekend probably again includes Sean Marshall.
Al Yellon - June 7, 2009
Tweet from Gordo....
… indicates Harden will start on Saturday vs. Twins, this likely means Marshall on Friday.
Al Yellon - June 7, 2009
Well Hung Chen isn't looking as wondrous as he was being portrayed
BLou - June 7, 2009
Not as well hung as you though he was? LOL.
SackMan - June 7, 2009
I was at the game Saturday night
It was good to see that not only can the future go yard, but they were able to manufacture runs as well. I was also very impressed with the pitching as well. I only remembered a couple of the players from last year plus Vitters. I guess Josh this is for you: Who were some of the pitching prospects I should have been looking for last night/in the future. Last couple of years I took the time to go through the Vine-Line Minor League prospectus issue and write down the stuff I need to know about who’s down at Peoria. It was also good to see the Chiefs play without any errors in the field, though Vitters was close to one (I couldn’t see it, but i guess it took a wicked bounce right before it got to him). Going to several MWL games a year, it’s been weird to see a team without any errors suprising enough.
Off topic from the Chiefs, the renovations done to Elfstrom Stadium are awesome. The concourse area was a bit of an eyesore but now it looks awesome. The food from the grill is still awesome and the beer selection is still awesome. Also, love me some Zooperstars!, fireworks, and ALL AGES run the bases.
TkGoUWGB - June 7, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.