Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 23

The Cubs deal with Dominican international free agent third baseman Christopher Martinez is off because of an unspecified medical issue. The Cubs and Martinez had agreed on a $1 million bonus.

A light schedule tonight.

Iowa Cubs

Off day as they travel back to Des Moines for the final homestand of the season.

Tennessee Smokies

Rained out. Doubleheader tomorrow.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans cracked the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 9-7.

Starter Brad Markey improved his record to 6-0 as he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. He struck out six and walked no one.

Closer Jasvir Rakkar entered the game in the ninth with a five-run lead in a non-save situation. He gave up three runs and brought the winning run to the plate before getting out of the inning. Two of the three runs in the ninth were unearned, however.

Yesterday the Pelicans hit four home runs against the Keys and today they hit four more. Third baseman Ben Carhart hit two of them. The first was a solo home run in the fourth inning and the second was a three-run shot in the top of the ninth, providing what proved to be crucial insurance runs. Carhart now has six home runs on the season. He was 3 for 4 with four total RBI and three total runs scored.

Catcher Victor Caratini hit a two-run home run later in the fourth inning to give the Pelicans a 3-2 lead. It was his fourth this season. Caratini was 2 for 4 and also doubled.

Finally, first baseman Cael Brockmeyer hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, his tenth of the season. Brockmeyer was 2 for 4 with a double and scored twice.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen was 2 for 5 with one run scored and one RBI.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs cooked the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 7-4.

Starter Zach Hedges allowed four runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings. Three of the four runs were unearned. He walked three and struck out three.

Because Hedges didn't go five innings, the win went to Ryan McNeil, who tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in relief of Hedges. McNeil allowed one hit. He walked two and struck out three.

Corbin Hoffner pitched the final two innings without allowing a run for his ninth save. Hoffner surrendered one hit and he walked two while striking out one.

Left fielder Charcer Burks gave the Cubs an early lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. It was Burks third home run this season. Burks was 3 for 4.

Two batters later, second baseman David Bote connected for a solo home run to give South Bend a 3-0 lead. It was Bote's sixth home run of the season. Bote went 1 for 4.

DH Kevin Encarnacion was 3 for 4 with two steals and two runs scored. Third baseman Jesse Hodges had a pair of doubles in a 2 for 4. game. Hodges had one RBI and he scored once. Right fielder Jeffrey Baez went 2 for 5 with a double and his 29th steal of the season. Baez scored twice and had one RBI.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were buried in lava by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 4-3 in 11 innings.

Starter Casey Bloomquist threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Bloomquist struck out four and walked one.

Kyle Miller pitched the next three innings and allowed one unearned run on one hit and one walk. He struck out two

The Ems had a 3-1 lead going into the top of the ninth, but Scott Frazier failed to retire a batter, giving up a double, a game-tying home run and a single before exiting.

Tyler Peitzmeier relieved Frazier and kept the game tied. But he stayed in the game and took the loss after he gave up a run in the top of the 11th. Peitzmeier pitched three innings and allowed one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked no one.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees was 2 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Dewees tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the third inning.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Giants 1-0 in 11 innings.

Duane Underwood Jr. pitched three scoreless innings in this game.