Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 7

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs zapped the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 8-3.

Starter Drake Britton got the win after allowing three runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. Britton walked one and struck out no one.

Center fielder Matt Szczur led off the game with his fifth home run of the season for Iowa. Szczur was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk in addition to the home run. Szczur scored twice.

Catcher Kyle Schwarber led off the fifth inning with his 17th home run of the season and second for Iowa. Schwarber also doubled twice in a 3 for 5 game. Schwarber scored twice and had two RBI.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva put the game out of reach with a three-run double in the top of the ninth. Villanueva was 2 for 5.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored twice.]

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies defenestrated the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 3-1.

Tonight was all about Pierce Johnson, who allowed just one run on three hits over seven innings. Johnson walked two and struck out three.

P.J. Francescon pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 13th save this season. Francescon struck out two.

Catcher Willson Contreras hit a two-run double in the third inning to break a scoreless tie. Contreras was 2 for 4 tonight.

Shortstop Elliot Soto went 3 for 5 with an RBI double in the seventh. Soto was 3 for 5 and scored on the Contreras double.

Left fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 4 with a double and also scored on the Contreras double.

DH Cael Brockmeyer went 2 for 4 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were cut short by the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 3-1.

Pelicans starter Brad Markey allowed one run on four hits over six innings. Markey struck out two and walked no one.

Dave Berg's first Pelicans appearance didn't go well as he took the loss after allowing two runs in the top of the ninth. Berg allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in his one inning of work. He did not record a strikeout.

DH Mark Zagunis was 2 for 5 with a double and he scored the lone Pelicans run.

We have highlights. Be sure to check out Pin-Chieh Chen robbing a home run and turning it into a double play.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs cooked the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 2-1.

Zach Hedges got the win after giving up just one run over eight innings, his longest outing as a professional.  Hedges allowed seven hits and walked one while striking out two.

Tyler Ihrig pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. Ihrig struck out two.

All of South Bend's offense came on a two-run home run in the seventh inning by first baseman Yasiel Balaguert. It was Balaguert's fifth home run this season. He was 1 for 3.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds stomped on the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 6-4.

Justin Steele started this game and he gave up four runs in only five innings, but only one of the four runs was earned. Steele allowed five hits. He struck out six and walked no one.

Greyfer Eregua was impressive, tossing three innings without allowing a hit or a run. He struck out seven and walked only one.

Jared Cheek came on in the ninth for his second save. He allowed a leadoff single, but nothing else. Cheek struck out two.

Second baseman Frandy Delarosa went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored one run and drove one in.

DH Ian Rice was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Third baseman Adonis Paula was 2 for 4 with a double.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Padres 9-2.