Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 23

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Oklahoma CIty Dodgers, 6-4 in 13 innings.

Stephen Perakslis made his first ever professional start and did just fine, allowing two runs on four hits over 4.2 innings. Perakslis struck out six and didn't walk anyone.

Giovanni Soto took the loss after allowing two runs in the top of the 13th. Soto pitched two innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits. Soto walked two and struck out three.

Center fielder Albert Almora hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, his second homer in four days. Almora was 2 for 5 with a walk.

First baseman Tim Federowicz entered the game in the eighth inning and was 2 for 2 with a double and he was intentionally walked. Federowicz scored once. However, he was thrown out at the plate in the 12th inning trying to score from second on an Almora single.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning and sank the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 5-2.

Starter Paul Blackburn gave up two runs in eight innings, but both runs in the sixth inning were unearned. (Of course, it was Blackburn's own error, so how "unearned" they are is a matter of philosophical debate, although not one of the rules.) Blackburn allowed seven hits, but he didn't walk anyone and he struck out just one. Blackburn improved his record to 3-0 with the win.

Juan Paniagua came on to pitch the ninth inning and got his second save. Paniagua got into trouble early when he allowed a single and a walk to start the inning. But a double-play grounder and another ground out ended the game with no more runs allowed.

All four runs in the ninth inning scored after two were out. The big blow that broke the 2-2 tie was a two-run single by left fielder Mark Zagunis. Zagunis was 1 for 5.

First baseman David Freitas was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Second baseman Chesny Young was 0 for 2 with three walks.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans hung on to beat the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 6-5.

Starter Jake Stinnett got the win after allowing just one run on three hits over 6.2 innings. The best piece of news was that Stinnett struck out seven and didn't walk anyone.

Closer David Berg was summoned from the bullpen with runners on second and third and two out in the eighth inning. He got a ground out to end that inning, but then Berg pitched the ninth inning when he gave up three runs on three hits and an error before even retiring a single batter. But Berg retired the next three hitters to end the game and get his third save.

The final line on Berg was 1.1 innings pitched, allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits. He had no walks or strikeouts.

Second baseman Ian Happ hit his third home run of the season with a man on in the fifth inning. Happ was 1 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice.

Here's Happ's line drive HR to left field

Shortstop Gleyber Torres was 2 for 3 with a walk and a triple. Torres scored twice. DH Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the third inning, scoring Torres. He also scored one run.

Third baseman Jason Vosler was 2 for 3 with a sac fly. Vosler scored once.

South Bend Cubs

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

Adbert Alzolay got his first win of the season after allowing just one unearned run over six innings. Alzolay struck out four and walked two.

Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda was the hero tonight, going 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI. Sepulveda scored twice.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees also had two doubles, going 2 for 5.

Catcher P.J. Higgins was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI. DH Sutton Whiting was  for 4.

South Bend has now won 4 games in a row and is only a half game out of first. All this came after I declared that it was looking like a long season for South Bend. By that, I meant a "long season" because they'll have lots of playoff games. Let's see if you'll buy that.

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