Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 4

Five members of the South Bend Cubs were named to the Midwest League All-Star Team. Three position players were named starters, led by shortstop Gleyber Torres. Joining Torres in the starting lineup are catcher Cael Brockmeyer and outfielder Charcer Burks. Joining those three are pitchers Jeremy Null and James Farris. So congratulations to them.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs ran the Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies) through a centrifuge, 8-2.

Eric Jokisch won his third game this season. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs, both of which came on a home run in the fifth inning. Jokisch gave up six hits total and walked three. He struck out two.

And while he did give up a home run, he hit one himself. Jokisch's solo blast in the second inning gave Iowa a 3-0 lead.

Drake Britton didn't allow a hit over three innings of scoreless relief. He walked one and struck out two.

Christian Villanueva homered for the fourth day in a row. I think he's got a decent chance to win PCL Player of the Week honors. The home run came with a man on in the fourth inning and was his ninth of the season. Villanueva also doubled and walked in a 2 for 4 evening. Villanueva scored three runs and drove three home.

Second baseman Chris Valaika doubled twice in a 2 for 4 game. He also walked once and scored once run.

Catcher Rafael Lopez was 3 for 5 with an RBI. Center fielder Arismendy Alcantara went 1 for 2 with a double and three walks. He also stole two bases and scored twice.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies moved into first place all by themselves with a 6-1 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins).

Felix Peña held the Lookouts in check for seven innings, giving up just one run on a fifth inning home run to Mike Gonzalez. Peña allowed just four hits total. He struck out seven and walked one.

DH Kyle Schwarber was 2 for 4 with a two-run single that was part of a four-run eighth for the Smokies.

Left fielder Chris Denorfia was with the Smokies on a rehab assignment and was 1 for 3 with a walk and a double. Denorfia scored twice.

The Smokies will look to sweep the five-game series tomorrow.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans got stuck in the mud by the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 3-2.

Starter Daury Torrez had his record fall to 4-3 after he allowed three runs on just four hits over six innings. Torrez walked two and struck out six.

Catcher Victor Caratini had an RBI double and a bases-loaded walk. He was 1 for 3.

Left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 3 with a walk. DH Chesny Young was 2 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs detasseled the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 6-4.

Trevor Clifton started and got the win after he gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. Two of those three runs came on a 4th inning home run by Edgar Corcino. Clifton struck out three and walked no one.

James Farris pitched a scoreless top of the ninth for his seventh save. Farris gave up a one-out walk, but no other baserunners. Farris struck out one.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer had a big night, going 3 for 4 with two doubles and a triple. Brockmeyer had two RBI and scored once.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 4 and scored a run.  Left fielder Rashad Crawford was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He had one RBI.