Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 30

Joe Maddon said today that he expects Javier Baez, Quintin Berry and Emilio Bonifacio to get called up to Chicago on September 1. One assumes more will get the call when Iowa finishes their season.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs finished the sweep of the Sacramento River Cats (Giants), 9-1.

Dallas Beeler turned in his fifth straight game of at least six innings and allowing one run or fewer today. In fact, today's start was Beeler's best yet as he went eight innings and gave up just one run on two hits. He struck out seven and walked only one.

Second baseman Emilio Bonifacio was 4 for 5 with two doubles. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Third baseman Javier Baez was 4 for 5. Baez scored twice and drive one run in.

Center fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. Andreoli scored three times. Catcher Taylor Davis went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI. First baseman Christian Villanueva was 2 for 4 with a double and a sacrifice fly. He drove in two runs.

With the win and an Oklahoma City loss, the I-Cubs are now only four games back of the Dodgers in the PCL American North Division with nine games to play. Five of those games are against the Dodgers in Oklahoma City. The I-Cubs will probably need to sweep those five games as OKC holds the tiebreaker unless Iowa sweeps all five games.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies clouded over the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 4-3.

Starter Felix Peña got the win after allowing three runs on four hits over seven innings. One of the three runs was unearned. Peña walked two and struck out six.

Neil Ramirez pitched the eighth inning and allowed one hit and one walk but no runs. He struck out one.

Starling Peralta pitched the ninth inning and walked two but didn't allow any hits or runs. Peralta didn't strike anyone out.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning with a solo home run, his fourth of the season. Candelario went 2 for 2 with two walks and two runs scored.

Shortstop Ryan Dent stayed hot, going 3 for 4. Second baseman Stephen Bruno was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. He scored once.

The Smokies trail the division-leading Biscuits by six games with seven to play. So yeah, it's not happening.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Pelicans last regular season home game of the season was rained out.  It will be made up as part of a doubleheader during the Pelicans final series of the year at Wilmington.

The Pelicans have already qualified for the postseason by winning the first half.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs ran the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) off the road, 4-3.

South Bend's pitching staff allowed only two hits tonight, both doubles off of starter Erick Leal. Leal went six innings and allowed no runs. He walked one and struck out four.

Alex Santana allowed three unearned runs in the eighth inning after South Bend committed three errors in the inning. Although Santana made two of them himself. Santana pitched 1.1 innings and walked two and struck out one.

Ryan McNeil pitched the final 1.2 innings and got his second save. McNeil walked one and struck out one.

Center fielder Ian Happ was 2 for 4 with a double and a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was Happ's ninth home run this season and fifth with South Bend. Happ scored twice.

South Bend is six games out of the wild card spot with eight games to play. It doesn't look good.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds leaped past the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 10-4.

Carson Sands started and got the win. Sands allowed two runs on just three hits over six innings. One of the two runs Sands allowed was unearned. Sands struck out five and walked two.

DH Ian Rice hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his second of the season. Rice went 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the seventh inning for two total RBI. Rice scored twice.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees was 2 for 5 with a steal. He scored one run and had one RBI.

Left fielder Eloy Jimenez was 2 for 5 with one run scored. First baseman Blake Headley went 2 for 4 with one run scored tonight.

AZL Cubs

Waiting to find out who they will play tomorrow in the one-game Arizona League Semi-Final playoff.