Down on the Farm: Villanueva, Jackson lead Iowa Cubs to 5-2 win

The Iowa Cubs received some early help by Christian Villanueva and a little insurance courtesy of outfield prospect Brett Jackson while the rest of the Chicago Cubs Minor League affiliates looked to do the same. Tennessee, Iowa, Daytona and Kane County were all looking to bounce back from a terrible Saturday night which resulted in all four teams picking up a loss.

Final: Cubs 5, Sounds (Brewers) 2.

Brett Jackson entered the game as a pinch hitter during the top of the seventh inning for pitcher Eric Jokisch, looking to either extend Iowa’s 2-1 with Luis Flores on base. Jackson would send a pitch by Michael Blazek to deep right field, a two run shot that would make it 4-1 – it would be his third home run of the year.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva gave his starting pitcher the early lead during the top of the second inning with a two run blast of his own. The home run came off Nashville Sounds starting pitcher Mike Fiers (6-3, 2.53 ERA), who would make it through 6.0 innings but kept Iowa hitters almost silent after giving up the long-ball. Fiers was charged with two earned runs off three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Jokisch (5-4, 3.28 ERA) was one of five pitchers who would be used throughout the game against the Sounds on Sunday evening. The young left-handed pitcher would also have himself a great outing as he only gave up two hits, one run (unearned) while striking out five.

The Cubs would add another run to their lead on a sacrifice fly by Chris Valaika during the top of the eighth inning to make it 5-1. Nashville cut the lead down to just three during the bottom of the ninth but that’s all they would get from Frank Batista who picked up save number 10 on the year.

Final: Barons (White Sox) 4, Smokies 3

Tennessee would have themselves a one run lead until the final four innings of the tonight’s ball-game against the Birmingham Barons.

Rangelo Ravelo would be the man who would tie the ballgame at three a piece during the top of the sixth by recording an RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field. Chris Curley would give his team the 4-3 lead during the top of the eighth on a single to right field.

Top prospect Kris Bryant continued tear the cover off the ball as he drilled home run number 18 of the season during the bottom of the first which gave the Smokies a 2-1 lead. Bryant would record his third RBI of the ballgame during the bottom of the third inning on a groundout, allowing Jeudy Valdez to come across to score to make it 3-1.

Corey Black (2-4, 3.44 ERA) allowed the Barons to plate three runs (all earned) off six hits while striking out six. Black gave up a home run to Trayce Thompson during the top of the first inning which gave Birmingham the 1-0 advantage to start off the game.

Both teams finished with eight hits and committed errors – Bryant, who was filling in at the designated hitters spot in the lineup, finished the game 1-4 with three RBIs. Valdez was the only Smokies’ player who recorded more than one hit, finishing 2-3.

Final: Mets (Mets) 6, Cubs 0

The St. Lucie Mets strung together some hits during the bottom of the seventh inning which resulted in three runs to extend their lead to 6-0.

Both Jairo Perez and Phillip Evans pulled through for their club with RBI singles while Eudy Pina reached safely on a throwing error by shortstop Tim Saunders. Aderlin Rodriguez launched home run number five off Cubs pitcher Tayler Scott. Scott (3-4, 4.40 ERA) was charged with one earned run (two runs total) off six hits (one home run) before handing things over to Zack Godley after 5 1/3.

Godley (1-1, 9.00 ERA) allowed four runs (five hits) to come across the plate during his 1 2/3 innings of work.

Daytona Cubs who made up for the four hits tonight were Dan Vogelbach, Rock Shoulders, Jeimer Candelario and Gioskar Amaya.

Final: Cougars 2, Chiefs (Cardinals)

There wasn’t a whole lot of offense during this ball game, but the runs that were put on the board were provided by our Kane County Cougars.

Danny Lockhart gave the Cougars the lead after reaching on a fielders choice during the top of the third inning. Chiefs shortstop Juan Herrera committed an error on the play that allowed Lockhart to reach safely, pushing across Trey Martin. Yasiel Balaguert extended the lead to 2-0 on a sacrifice fly to left field during the top of the fifth inning.

Justin Amlung (4-0, 1.54 ERA) has had himself an incredible start to the 2014 regular season – he finished tonight’s ballgame with eight strikeouts and four hits through 5 1/3 innings of work before handing the ball over to Michael Wagner. Wagner (1-1, 5.02 ERA) and Tyler Bremer (4-0, 2.88 ERA) combined for only two hits, three walks and five strikeouts during the final three innings of the game.

Chiefs starting pitcher Blake McKnight (1-5, 5.48 ERA) had himself a decent outing but was unable to receive run support from his own teammates. Peoria committed five errors on the night while collecting six hits as Kane County put together five hits while committing two errors of their own.