Down on the Farm: Cougars only winners on Opening Night

Mar 21, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher

(18) pitches against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. The Cubs won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to day two of ‘Down on the Farm’ and before we begin, I would like to wish you all a Happy Opening Day. Now while the Major League team is preparing to play its fourth game of this newborn season, the Minor League affiliates will be playing their second game of the season.

Let’s recap some of the action from first four games that took place. Quick note in case you’re reading my ‘Down on the Farm’ post for the very first time, the Boise Hawks don’t start their season until June 13.

Time to get this show on the road, we have a couple games to get through so let’s start off with the Triple-A affiliate Iowa Cubs.

Iowa Cubs vs Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals Triple-A):

Starting off yesterday’s action was left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin and the Iowa Cubs as they took on the Memphis Redbirds in their home opener. Rusin was absolutely hammered by the young Cardinals prospects, as he was only able to make it through 3 2/3 innings. He was charged with five earned runs off six hits, two of those were taken deep in the very first inning of the game.

Rusin was replaced by right handed pitcher Yoanner Negrin, who worked 3 1/3 solid innings without giving up any runs. Rusin begins the season 0-1 and will carry a 12.27 ERA into his next start. Memphis put up three runs in the top of the first, two runs in the fourth and added another five in the ninth.

Josh Vitters helped out the home team by launching a two out solo home run to left field, his first of the year. Matt Szczur grounded into a force out that helped drive in a run in the ninth. Winning pitcher was David Aardsma, who worked through only one scoreless inning.

Final Score: Redbirds 10, Cubs 2.

Tennessee Smokies vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati Reds Double-A): 

Veteran right-handed starting pitcher Mat Latos took the mound for Cincinnati’s Double-A affiliate last night. He’s currently working his way back up to the starting rotation for the big league Reds after being placed on the 15-day disabled list. Tennessee got off to a great start, led by third base prospect Kris Bryant, who hit his first home run of the 2014 campaign on a fly ball to left center field. This was Bryant’s only hit of the game, but he was able to give his team a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

Bryant would be hit by a pitch in the third inning, and ended up stealing second. He put himself in scoring position and would later score on a throwing error by Pensacola’s shortstop, Devin Lohman.

The Smokies would add one run in the second inning, then score their final two runs of the game in the third inning. Picking up RBIs during those two innings besides Bryant’s two in the first frame were center fielder Zeke DeVoss and catcher Rafael Perez.

Right handed pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee worked through four innings during last night’s loss to the Blue Wahoos. He gave up two hits, was charged with two runs, walked four batters and struck out four as well. He wasn’t charged with the loss, so he’ll carry a blank record with a 4.50 ERA into his next start. Pensacola starting tallying runs as they picked up two at the bottom half of the third inning.

Shortstop Jeudy Valdez committed an error, allowing pitcher Mat Latos to come around to score to kick things off for the Blue Wahoos. Devin Mesoraco picked up a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Bryson Smith to make it a 5-2 ball game through three. Steve Selsky would help make it a 5-3 ball game after picking up an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Moving onto the sixth inning, shortstop Devin Lohman made it a 5-4 game after hitting an RBI double to left field allowing Juan Silverio to come around and score. Pensacola would add the final two runs of the game in the bottom of the eight off a Brodie Greene single.

Quick note: Jorge Soler was pulled from the game after seeing only one at-bat. He finished with a hit, and reports indicate that he was removed as a precautionary measure after he tweaked a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier this spring.

Final Score: Blue Wahoos 6, Smokies 5.

Daytona Cubs vs Brevard County (Milwaukee Brewers Class-A): 

The 2013 FSL Champions opened up the 2014 season on the road against the Brevard County Manatees last night. There wasn’t much offense during this game, but the pitching was pretty solid on both sides. Right-handed pitcher Felix Pena looked great during his outing against the Manatees. Pena pitched six innings, gave up three hits, was charged with an earned run and added three strikeouts to his numbers.

He still picked up the loss in last night’s season opener, but will carry a solid 1.50 ERA into his next outing. The only run of the game was tallied during the bottom of the third inning. Tyrone Taylor roped an RBI double to left field, allowing Brandon Macias to come around and score. Zach Cates and Arodys Vizcaino would enter the game after Pena, pitching two scoreless innings combined.

The winning pitcher of last night’s contest is Tyler Wagner, who made it through five innings before being removed from the game. Tommy Toledo would pick up the save for the Manatees in the 1-0 shut out over the Daytona Cubs.

Final Score: Brevard County 1, Daytona Cubs 0.