Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 23

Pitchers Jeffry Antigua and Andres Santiago were promoted to Iowa while reliever Drake Britton went on the DL and outfielder Kevin Brown was sent to Myrtle Beach. Pelicans reliever Matt Brazis was promoted to Tennessee while Shawon Dunston Jr. was put on the Pelicans DL.

Also, Javier Baez has reported to Extended Spring Training in Mesa. I assume he'll be back in Iowa once he gets his timing back.

Finally, if you're thinking about going out to South Bend, the SB Cubs announced today that the gates will open two hours before game time on Friday and Saturday nights. So if you want to see the Cubs take batting practice, you'll be able to now.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got tied to the tracks by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 9-2.

Antigua was immediately put to work for Iowa and gave up six runs in the first inning. The game was pretty much over at that point. Antigua's final line for the day was 3.2 innings, allowing all nine runs on seven hits. Only four of those runs counted as "earned," however. Antigua walked four and struck out two.

Santiago relieved Antigua and pitched 3.1 innings without allowing a run, although he did allow a runner inherited from Antigua to score. Santiago surrendered three hits and issued two walks. He struck out two.

Shortstop Chris Valaika hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, his second this season. Valaika was 1 for 3 with a walk. That was pretty much all of Iowa's offense.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies decommissioned the Jackson Generals (Mariners), 9-2.

Felix Pena started and got the win. Pena allowed two runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. Pena struck out eight and walked two.

DH Kyle Schwarber had a big night, going 3 for 6 with a double and his second home run of the season. It was a solo home run in the eighth inning. Schwarber scored twice and had two RBI.

Catcher Willson Contreras had two doubles in a 2 for 3 evening. Contreras also walked twice. He scored two runs and had one RBI.

The Smokies walked twelve times tonight. First baseman Daniel Vogelbach was 1 for 3 with a double and three walks. He scored twice.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans shut down the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 6-0.

Daury Torrez kept the Dash in check for seven innings for his second win. He allowed just four hits, all singles. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann was 3 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. The Pelicans' leadoff hitter scored twice and had one RBI.

Right fielder Billy McKinney was 2 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The day after scoring 16 runs, the SB Cubs followed that up by scoring ten times and sinking the Lake County Captains (Indians), 10-0.

Erick Leal and Tyler Ihrig combined for the shutout. Leal pitched the first five innings and allowed just three hits. He struck out six and walked only one, although he did hit one batter. Ihrig protected the ten-run lead for the final four innings, so he got his first save despite the lopsided score. Ihrig allowed just one hit, whom he erased in a double play. (One other baserunner reached on an error.) Ihrig struck out five and walked nobody.

Right fielder Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He had three RBI and scored once.

Shortstop Gleyber Torres was 2 for 3 with two RBI and one run scored. He stole two bases.

Center fielder Trey Martin was 2 for 5 and scored twice. Chesny Young was 2 for 5 with a steal and one run scored.

Highlights.