Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 28

Congratulations to Myrtle Beach broadcaster Nathan Barnett, who was named Carolina League Broadcaster of the Year. Barnett has done a terrific job this season and he's been a good friend to everyone here as well.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs were rained out. Doubleheader tomorrow.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies went supernova on the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 7-0.

Andres Santiago dominated the Suns for eight innings, allowing just two baserunners, both singles. One of those was even a bunt single, and that guy was even caught stealing. Santiago struck out six.

Center fielder Albert Almora was 2 for 5 with one run batted in. First baseman Daniel Vogelbach was 1 for 3 with a double (the only extra base hit of the game) and a walk. Vogelbach scored twice.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans crashed against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals), 7-5.

Duane Underwood Jr. came off the disabled list today and pitched the first four innings. Underwood allowed two runs, one earned on three hits, once of which was a solo home run. Underwood struck out three and walked one.

With the Pelicans leading 5-4 after eight innings, the Pelicans called upon closer Jasvir Rakkar to finish out the game. Rakkar has been very good this season, but he wasn't tonight as he gave up three runs on four hits in one inning. Rakkar struck out one and walked no one.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, his fourth of the season and third for the Pelicans. Chen was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.

DH Victor Caratini was 3 for 5. He tripled and scored the Pelicans first run in the fourth inning and he hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh.

Second baseman Chesny Young was 2 for 4 with a walk and a steal. He scored once. Tonight Young raised his batting average to .332. The second-best batting average in the Carolina League, Lynchburg's Luigi Rodriguez, is hitting .293. His .398 OBP does not lead the league, however. It's second, behind teammate Mark Zagunis' .407.

Highlights

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South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs stuffed the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 10-3.

Jake Stinnett started and got the win after surrendering just one run on six hits over seven innings. Stinnett struck out three and walked one.

Sam Wilson entered the game with two out and the bases loaded in the eighth inning and got a fly out to end the threat. He stayed in the game in the ninth after the Cubs scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth and got his first save of the season. Wilson allowed one run on one hit and two walked over 1.1 innings. Wilson had one strike otu.

Right fielder Jeffrey Baez continued his torrid second half by going 4 for 5 with a three-run home run in the eighth inning. It was Baez's eighth home run of the season--and seven of those have come since the Fourth of July. (The other was Opening Night.) Baez also stole two bases and has 33 steals so far this season. He scored three times.

Earlier in the game, first baseman Gioskar Amaya hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. That was his fourth blast of the season. Amaya went 3 for 4 with a walk. Amaya scored twice and had four RBI.

Shortstop Bryant Flete was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Center fielder Rashad Crawford was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were jumped on by the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 3-1.

Starter Preston Morrison dominated the Hops for three innings, allowing just one baserunner, a two-out single in the first. Morrison struck out seven of the other nine batters he faced.

The game remained tied at 1-1 until the eighth inning when reliever Pedro Araujo loaded the bases with one out. Two runs scored after a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly and Araujo took his first loss of the year. His final line was 2.1 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs on one hit and two walks. One of the two walks was intentional. Araujo struck out three.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees and third baseman P.J. Higgins were both 2 for 4 with a double.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Athletics, 9-1.