Down on the Farm: Iowa Cubs win in extras, 9-6

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; World infielder

celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

What’s going on Chicago Cubs fans? I hope everybody’s enjoying their weekend, despite the results of tonight’s big league club. Yesterday I covered a couple arms who have been performing exceptionally well during the early part of the 2014 regular season. Now one prospect I want to shine a little bit of light on tonight is infielder Arismendy Alcantara.

Alcantara is currently on the Cubs’ 40-man roster and has been hitting great against both lefties and righties to start off the year. Through 21 games and 76 at-bats, Alcantara has recorded 20 hits, seven of those have been doubles while three of them have been triples. He’s launched two home runs with 12 RBIs on a batting line of .263/.275/.513. The young infielder who represented the Cubs in last year’s All-Star Futures Game at Citi Field could have a decent shot at cracking the Major League roster once the league allows the teams to extend their active roster in September.

With Darwin Barney‘s future in question with the Cubs, Alcantara is making a solid case for himself to come up and show this club that he has what it takes to become an everyday starter. It’d be a tough task at hand, but it’s absolutely doable if he plays up to his full potential.

Speaking of Alcantara, we’ll go ahead and kick off tonight’s recaps with the Iowa Cubs.

The Iowa Cubs were in action against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox yet again.

Iowa was able to pick up the early lead by putting up a run during the top of the second and third inning before losing the lead during the bottom of the fourth when Colorado Springs put up a three spot. Chris Valaika and Jonathan Mota would launch solo home runs to left field to pick up the 2-0 lead for the Cubs. Michael McKenry, Drew Garcia and Paul Janish would help the aforementioned Sky Sox take a 3-2 lead during the bottom of the fourth.

The man of the night, Arismendy Alcantara would pick up his first RBI of the night on a single to left field to tie things up at three apiece. He would later triple during the top of the 13th inning. This would be his fourth triple on the young 2014 season. Javier Baez would also help out his team shortly after Alcantara reached third base safely by roping a single to left field to drive him in to make it 9-6.

Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks made it through six complete innings but was tagged for 10 hits on the night. Hendricks was charged with four earned runs, issued two walks and struck out four before he was pulled from the game. Yoanner Negrin would be the man to replace Hendricks on the mound, who would eventually end up blowing the lead by giving up two home runs.

Ben Paulsen and Michael McKenry took Negrin deep during the top of the seventh inning, erasing a one run Cubs lead. These two long-balls to left field would make it 6-5 Colorado Springs after seven innings. Alcantara would tie things up at 6-6 during the top of the ninth inning with a single to shortstop Paul Janish. He would finish 5-7 on the night with three RBI’s under his belt.

Catcher Eli Whiteside would also homer during the top of the sixth inning to give the Cubs a one-run lead.

Winning pitcher tonight is Jeffry Antigua (1-0, 0.00 ERA), losing pitcher is Dan Houston (0-2, 5.40 ERA) with the save being awarded to Blake Parker (2).

Final Score: Cubs 9, Sky Sox 6.

Iowa Cubs improve to 13-9.

The Kane County Cougars would take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in another exciting game in Midwest League action.

Wisconsin would take a 4-0 lead after three innings thanks to Rafael Nada and Taylor Smith-Brennan who picked up RBI’s singles that pushed across two runs apiece. It would take the Cougars until the bottom of the seventh inning when Cael Brockmeyer sent a single to right field that would send David Bote across to score. This would make it 4-1 Wisconsin through seven innings.

Starting pitcher Duane Underwood took the mound today for the Cougars and was pulled from the game after 3 2/3 innings of work, giving up five hits and three earned runs. He was later replaced by Gerardo Concepcion, who would work through 4 1/3 innings and would not allow the Timber Rattlers to score.

Kane County would enter the top of the ninth inning down 4-1. This team has fought back from a couple deficits late in games so far this season. Jordan Hankins was able to help cut the lead to two, which was followed up by a bases loaded walk which made it 4-3.

Yasiel Balaguert would give his team the win on a single to left field. Left-handed reliever Nathan Dorris would enter the game for the Cougars and slam the door on the Timber Rattlers.

Winning pitcher from tonight’s contest is Nathan Dorris (2-1, 1.50 ERA), losing pitcher is Harvey Martin (1-1, 3.52 ERA).

Final Score: Cougars 5, Sky Sox 4.

Kane County Cougars improve to 16-6.

The Daytona Cubs were matched up against the Brevard County Manatees yet again.

Tonight’s game wouldn’t show off much offense, but the pitching from Daytona’s starter was outstanding. Starting pitcher Jose Rosario took the mound today for the Cubs and worked through six solid innings. He only gave up five hits tonight against the Manatees, but walked three while striking out six before he was replaced by Austin Reed.

Reed entered the game hoping to keep the lead and would do exactly that. Daytona would pick up two runs during the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to designated hitter Tim Saunders. Saunders would triple to center field to drive in Chadd Krist and Rock Shoulders. Reed would be pulled after two innings, where he gave up only one hit. The man replacing him on the mound was Andrew McKirahan.

McKirahan would finish out the game and pick up the save.

Winning pitcher is Jose Rosario (2-2, 3.86 ERA), losing pitcher is Damien Magnifico (1-2, 3.46 ERA) with the save being awared to Andrew McKirahan (1).

Final Score: Cubs 2, Manatees 0.

Daytona Cubs improve to 8-14.