Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 7

Welcome back to another season of Cubs Minor League Wrap. Every night after the games, I give the details of each minor league game. You read about it and can comment or ask questions. It's pretty simple.

This is a summary of the games and not a running tally of the Cubs "top prospects." Sure, the top prospects get more attention than organizational players, but it's not healthy to obsess about the daily results of prospects. And besides, the other guys have friends and family who love them and are trying just as hard to reach the majors. Give them their due when they deserve it.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were too late to catch the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 7-3.

It was a cold and rainy afternoon in Des Moines today, so we'll try not to be too hard on Iowa starter Ryan Williams after he allowed two runs in the first inning and five in the third to take the loss. The final line on Williams was 3 innings, allowing 7 runs, 6 earned, on six hits, including a third-inning grand slam by Jared Hoying. Williams walked two and struck out two.

Catcher Willson Contreras was 2 for 4 in his Triple-A debut. He was also 2 for 4 throwing out runners trying to steal. He also had a passed ball.

First baseman Dan Vogelbach was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI in his Triple-A debut. Third baseman Kristopher Negron was 3 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies mauled the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 7-3.

Rob Zastryzny started and got the win after allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. Zastryzny struck out five and walked two.

Last season, second baseman Chesny Young hit one home run. He hit the first pitch he saw in 2016 over the wall in left-center field. Young finished the game 2 for 2 with two walks and a stolen base. He scored twice.

Three batters later, catcher Victor Caratini homered with a man on to make the score 3-1, a lead the Smokies would never relinquish. Caratini was 1 for 4.

Bijan Rademacher hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the sixth inning.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann was 2 for 4 with two stolen bases.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans unlocked the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 5-2.

Starter Jonathan Martinez got the win after allowing just one run on three hits over five innings. Martinez walked two and struck out one.

David Berg came on in the ninth inning and while he did allow a one-out double, he closed out the game without further incident and got the save. Berg struck out two.

Shortstop Gleyber Torres was 1 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

Like last season, we have highlights.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were frozen out by the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 9-4.

South Bend Starter Preston Morrison fought the cold, the flurries and the Whitecaps and the Whitecaps won. Morrison allowed eight runs on seven hits over four innings. Only three of the runs were earned, but some of those unearned runs were because of Morrison's own error. Morrison walked two and struck out two.

Left fielder Eloy Jimenez was 2 for 4 with a triple. He scored once and had one RBI. Shortstop Andrew Ely went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees went 2 for 5. Catcher P.J. Higgins was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

Right fielder Eddy Martinez was 2 for 4 in his professional debut. Martinez had one RBI and scored once.