Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 9

Welcome to the first Minor League Wrap of the season! In case you're new to this, every night I recap all of the Cubs' affiliates games. This is a recap of the games and not a "prospect watch." I do give added attention to the top prospects, but if an ordinary minor leaguer goes 3 for 4 with a home run and a top 5 prospect goes 0 for 4, the guy who went 3 for 4 with the home run is going to get mentioned and the prospect may not. It's the way I've been doing it for the past eight seasons and it works for me. Plus, you never know when the top prospect is going to bust and that guy who went 3 for 4 makes the majors.

If you want in-game updates, you can follow me on Twitter at @cubsminorswrap. Most nights I'm listening to at least one game and when anything big happens, I send it out. Most nights. I do have a life sometimes. Not often, but occasionally.

You're going to have to forgive me as I get used to all the affiliation changes in the Cubs system this year. It's all new to me too.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were caught hibernating by the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 7-4.

Donn Roach made the start and allowed four runs on ten hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Drake Britton took the loss in relief. He gave up two runs in the seventh inning. Britton pitched 1.1 innings total and was touched for two hits. He struck out one and didn't walk anyone.

Shortstop Addison Russell was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Kris Bryant had a single and a stolen base in four at bats. He scored once and had one RBI.

First baseman Mike Baxter went 2 for 4 and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies clouded over the Mississippi Braves, 7-2.

Corey Black started and got the win for the Smokies, allowing just one run on four hits over five innings. Black walked three and struck out four.

The Smokies managed to score seven run on only seven hits, thanks in part to wildness on the part of Braves pitchers, who walked six and had two wild pitches. Catcher Kyle Schwarber was 1 for 3 with a triple and two walks. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans picked up where last season's Kane County Cougars left off and pulverized the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals), 9-1 in their first game as a Cubs affiliate.

Starter Duane Underwood dominated the Pelicans for five innings, allowing only one unearned run on four hits. Underwood struck out five and walked two. According to the stadium gun, he was sitting 93-94 mph on his fastball and his big bend curve was at 74.

Jonathan Martinez tossed one scoreless inning, James Pugliese threw two and Starling Peralta closed the game out with a scoreless ninth.

First baseman Jacob Rogers punished Blue Rocks pitchers, going 3 for 4 with a double and a solo home run in the fourth inning. Rogers scored twice and had two RBI.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver went 3 for 4 with a stolen base. He scored once and had one run batted in. He did commit the error that led to the only Wilmington run.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann was 3 for 5 with one run scored and one RBI. Catcher Victor Caratini went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

The Pelicans are really embracing their Cubs affiliation with some ivy wallpaper on the outfield walls and a replica of the Wrigley Field marquee in their picnic area. They had "14" etched in the grass behind home plate. They are also flying a white "W" flag tonight.

Added: Here are the highlights.

South Bend Cubs

Cael Brockmeyer sent the record Opening Day crowd at Four Winds Field happy with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth that beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays), 2-1. It was also their first win as a Cubs affiliate.

Jake Stinnett looked good in his five inning start, only giving up one run on a third inning home run my Thomas Milone. Stinnett gave up just three hits. He walked two and struck out four.

James Ferris pitched the final two innings without allowing a run and picked up the win. Ferris allowed one hit. He also walked two and struck out four.

First baseman Brockmeyer had three of South Bend's five hits tonight. He went 3 for 5 with two doubles and the walk-off home run.

South Bend's other run came on a solo home run by right fielder Jeffrey Baez in the third inning. He was 1 for 4.

Theo Epstein threw out the first pitch in this game and he used it to plunk Clark. He also admitted he threw at Clark on purpose.