Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 23

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 6-4 in nine innings and 5-2.

Brian Matusz was strong in a game one start. He tossed 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits. He walked two and struck out six.

The I-Cubs took the lead in the top of the ninth on a Jeimer Candelario sacrifice fly, but Gerardo Concepcion couldn't hold the lead and the game ended on a two-out, two-run home run by Charlie Tilson. Concepcion's final line was three runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one and walked no one.

Center fielder John Andreoli was 3 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Right fielder Mark Zagunis was 3 for 4 with a walk. Catcher Tim Federowicz was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs driven in.

Trevor Cahill started game two and took the loss after he was touched for three runs in four innings. All three runs came in the fourth inning and one of the runs was unearned. He gave up nine hits. Cahill struck out five and walked no one.

Andreoli was 3 for 4 in game two with a steal. Juan Perez was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were shut out by the Mississippi Braves, 3-0.

The tough-luck loss went to starter Brad Markey, who allowed one run on six hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked no one.

Center fielder Trey Martin was 2 for 3.

Jorge Soler was 0 for 3 with a walk in a rehab appearance.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans swallowed the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals), 9-0.

James Pugliese started his first game since 2013 and had no problems collecting his third win of the season. Pugliese pitched five innings and allowed five hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out four.

Second baseman David Bote hit his third home run of the season with a man on in the bottom of the first inning. Bote was 2 for 4. He also doubled and walked. Bote scored twice.

DH Ian Rice connected for his 14th home run of the year and fifth with the Pelicans with a man on in the fourth. Rice was 1 for 4 with a sacrifice fly.

Shortstop Gleyber Torres was 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored twice and had one RBI. First baseman Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Balaguert scored two runs and drove in two.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

Rained out. Doubleheader on Monday.

Eugene Emeralds.

The Eugene Emeralds crushed the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 11-4.

Michael Knighton pitched the first four innings without allowing a run. He surrendered just three hits, but he did walk three and struck out only one.

Ninth-round pick Duncan Robinson got his first professional win because Knighton didn't go five innings. Robinson gave up two runs on three hits over two innings. He walked one and struck out nobody.

Catcher Tyler Paine hit his first professional home run as part of a seven-run second inning for the Ems. Paine's homer was a three-run shot. He was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Right fielder Robert Garcia went 2 for 3 with a double, a triple, a walk and he got hit by a pitch. Garcia scored twice and had one RBI.

Center fielder D.J. Wilson was 2 for 4 and scored two runs. Left fielder Michael Foster was 2 for 5 and also scored twice.

AZL Cubs

Beat the White Sox, 7-4.