Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 20

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were zapped by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 3-2.

It was a good start for Drew Rucinski, who allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. Rucinski struck out ten (!) and walked two.

Brandon Gomes came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth in a 2-2 game. After a leadoff single and a force out at second on a ground ball to short, Kenny Wilson hit a game-ending RBI double.

Center fielder Albert Almora went 3 for 4 tonight with a double and his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the seventh inning.  Right fielder Juan Perez tied the game up with a solo home run in the eighth, also his first of the year. Perez was 2 for 5.

Left fielder Matt Murton was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies couldn't finish the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 6-5.

Starter Tyler Skulina got into trouble in the fourth inning, giving up three runs and exiting early. His final line was 3 runs allowed on three hits over 3.2 innings. Skulina walked four and struck out just one.

The Smokies fought back in the later innings and took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth. But David Garner gave up a three-run home run to Willy Adames and took the loss. Garner allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out two.

The Smokies did have a rally in the bottom of the ninth when left fielder Bijan Rademacher doubled home Taylor Davis to get the Smokies to within a run. But Anthony Giansanti then struck out to end the game. Rademacher was 1 for 4.

Second baseman Chesny Young had a huge game today, going 4 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. He also stole two bases.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans slowed down the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 4-1.

Zach Hedges started and got his first win of the year after allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings. Hedges struck out four and walked one.

James Farris pitched the final two innings and picked up his second save. Farris did not allow a hit or a run, but he did walk one. Farris struck out three.

The Pelicans took a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth when David Bote connected for a solo home run, his first of the season. Bote was 1 for 4.

Shortstop Daniel Lockhart was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs left the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) in the dust, 8-4.

Justin Steele pitched the first five innings and got the win after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits. He struck out six and walked one.

First baseman Tyler Alamo went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Right fielder Eddy Martinez went 2 for 4. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Left fielder Eloy Jimenez went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. DH Daniel Spingola was 2 for 4 with two RBI and one run scored.