Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 12

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs grounded the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 7-2.

Barret Loux made his first start since Tommy John surgery and he didn't look too bad, although the results weren't great. He went 3.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Loux struck out three and walked three.

Drake Britton got his first Cubs win because Loux didn't go five. Britton went 2.1 innings in relief of Loux and only allowed one baserunner, a walk to the first batter he faced. (Unfortunately, that drove in a runner inherited from Loux.) Britton did not have a strikeout.

Zac Rosscup, Armando Rivero and Blake Parker each threw a scoreless inning to close out the game.

Shortstop Addison Russell hit his first Iowa Cubs home run with a man on in the third inning. Russell was 3 for 5 and scored twice.

The next inning, first baseman Jonathan Mota hit a solo home run for his first blast of the season. Mota was 3 for 4 and scored twice.

Finally, some guy you may have heard of named Kris Bryant hit his second home run in as many games with a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Bryant was 1 for 4 with a sacrifice fly for three total RBI.

Center fielder Adron Chambers went 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Chambers had one run batted in.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies evened their series with the Mississippi Braves with a 6-3 win.

Rob Zastryzny looked good in his first start of the season, but it ended in a bad fashion. Zastryzny pitched 3.1 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits. However, the final hit struck Zastryzny in the foot and forced him to leave the game, although he did walk off on his own power. Zastryzny walked three and struck out five.

First baseman Daniel Vogelbach was 3 for 5 with two doubles. He scored one run and had two RBI.

Center fielder Albert Almora went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. The walk was his third in the first four games of the season. Last year Almora only walked twice in 36 games in Double-A and only 14 times in all 125 games. Almora scored two runs.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva was 2 for 5 with two RBI. He scored once. Shortstop Elliot Soto was 2 for 6 and scored once. Catcher Willson Contreras was 2 for 5.

Anthony Giansanti was 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were stoned by the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals), 5-0.

Tyler Skulina threw the first five innings and only really made one mistake, giving up a solo home run to Dominique Taylor in the second inning. It was the only run he allowed, but that was enough to take the loss. Skulina gave up three total hits. He did walk three and struck out five.

The Pelicans only managed three hits and only one after the first inning, when they loaded the bases with only one out and failed to score.

Chris Denorfia played five innings in left field on a rehab assignment. He was 1 for 2 and doubled in the first inning.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs slew the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 8-3.

Starter Zach Hedges pitched the first five innings and got the win. He allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Jasvir Rakkar threw two innings of relief without allowing a hit. He walked one and struck out three.

Left fielder Rashad Crawford did most of the damage for the Cubs out of the number nine spot in the lineup. He was 2 for 2 with two walks. He had a one run single in the third and an two-run single in the seventh for three total RBI. Crawford scored three runs.

Third baseman Jason Vosler was 3 for 5 with a stolen base out of the eight spot in the lineup, so the bottom of the order was the strongest part of the order today. Vosler scored on both of Crawford's singles.

Shortstop Gleyber Torres was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He had one run scored and knocked home two.