Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 17

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were abducted by the Las Vegas 51s (Mets), 6-2.

Brian Matusz started this game and he really only made one mistake: a two-run home run in the second inning to Kevin Pawlecki. Matusz pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He walked one and struck out five.

Joe Nathan pitched the seventh inning without allowing a hit or a run. He did walk one batter and he hit one batter, however. Nathan struck out one.

Felix Peña tossed a scoreless eighth inning but then he came out to pitch the top of the ninth with the score still tied 2-2. Peña got hammered for four runs in the top of the ninth and took the loss. Peña pitched 1.2 innings and surrendered four hits and he issued two walks. He struck out one.

Left fielder Mark Zagunis tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo home run. It was Zagunis' tenth home run of the season and fifth with Iowa. He was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies devoured the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 6-4.

Starter Michael Wagner pitched well and also only made one real mistake: a solo home run in the second inning. Wagner pitched four innings and allowed one run on two hits. He struck out five and walked no one.

Starling Peralta pitched the next three innings and got the win, although he allowed two runs on four hits. Peralta did not have a strikeout or a walk.

David Garner pitched the final two innings and got his second save. Garner allowed a run on two hits. He walked one and struck out five.

Center fielder Trey Martin broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the eighth with a two-run home run, his second this season. Martin was 2 for 4 and tied a career-high with four RBI.

Second baseman Ian Happ was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Catcher David Freitas was 2 for 5 with one run scored and one run driven in. Shortstop Carlos Penalver was 2 for 5.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were abbreviated by the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 7-2.

Zach Hedges started and took the loss. Hedges pitched six innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. Two of the five runs were unearned. Hedges walked two and struck out two.

Second baseman Andrew Ely hit his first Pelicans home run with the bases empty in the fifth inning. It was Ely's third overall home run. Ely was 1 for 3 with a walk.

First baseman David Bote went 2 for 3 and was hit by a pitch. He drove in the other Pelicans run, also in the fifth.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs trapped the Kane County Cougars (Diamondbacks), 8-5.

Cubs starter Carson Sands didn't make it out of the third inning today. Sands allowed four runs on three hits in 2.2 innings. Sands walked four and struck out two.

Sands was relieved by Greyfer Eregua, who go the win because Sands did not go five innings. But no sane person would think Sands deserved it more than Eregua, who pitched 3.1 innings without allowing a run. He even stranded all three runners he inherited from Sands. Eregua gave up three hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Shortstop Bryant Flete hit a three-run home run as part of a five-run third inning for South Bend. It was his second home run of the year. He was 1 for 4.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees was 3 for 4 and scored a run.

First baseman P.J. Higgins was 2 for 5 with an RBI double. He scored a run in the third inning. Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda went 2 for 5 and scored on the Higgins double.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds dusted off the Tri-City Dust Devils (Padres), 7-6.

Starter Pedro Silvero allowed four runs on six hits over four innings. He walked two and struck out two.

Michael Knighton tossed three innings in relief of Silvero and got the win. He gave up just one hit and one run. Knighton walked one and struck out two.

Thirteenth-round pick Wyatt Short got his first professional save tonight after a throwing a scoreless ninth inning. Short allowed a one-out single, but then struck out the next two batters to end the game.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was the star tonight, going 2 for 4 with a walk and two steals. Mitchell scored three times.

First baseman Chris Pieters was 2 for 5 with one RBI and one run scored. He also stole a base.

Hillsboro lost, so the Ems magic number to win the first-half title is down to three.

AZL Cubs

Off Day