Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 2

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs split a doubleheader with the Round Rock Express (Rangers), losing the completion of a suspended game 3-2 but winning the second game 4-1. The win in game two snapped an 8-game losing streak by Iowa against the Express.

Game one is interesting in that Arismendy Alcantara, Willson Contreras and Albert Almora Jr. were all in the starting lineup. That's undoubtedly the last time you'll see that in an Iowa box score. But Jake Buchanan picked up where the last game ended with one out in the bottom of the first inning and pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Armando Rivero came into the game after Buchanan allowed a single to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Rivero would allow the inherited runner to score and two more runs of his own on a three-run home run. Rivero allowed one hit and one walk in the one inning he threw. He struck out three.

Tim Federowicz got the I-Cubs to within a run with a solo home run in the top of the ninth. He was 1 for 4.

Game 2 was started by Pierce Johnson, who allowed one run on two hits over 3.2 innings. Johnson walked two and struck out six.

C.J. Riefenhauser entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning. He got out of that jam and then pitched one more inning without allowing a run. Riefenhauser got the win because Johnson didn't go five innings. He walked one and stuck out two in his 1.1 innings of hitless relief.

Felix Pena was perfect over the final two innings for the save. He struck out four.

John Andreoli led off the game with his 11th home run of the season. Andreoli went 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. He stole two bases. (Iowa had a total of five steals in this seven-inning game.)

Logan Watkins was 3 for 3 with a double and one steal. Watkins scored once and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies got badly burned by the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 7-2.

Starter Brad Markey took the loss. He allowed four runs on six hits, including two home runs in the third inning, over four innings. Markey walked three and struck out four.

Left fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Ian Happ and Victor Caratini were both 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans out-slugged the Potomac Nationals, 11-9.

Jake Stinnett started and got the win, although he won't put this start in his scrapbook. Stinnett allowed six runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. Stinnett struck out seven and walked three.

Ryan McNeil came on to get the last out and the save. He got a bases-empty foul out to end the game.

Catcher Ian Rice hit a solo home run in the third inning. It was his 12th home run this season and third for the Pelicans. He was 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Shortstop Gleyber Torres went 2 for 5 with one runs scored and one RBI. Second baseman David Bote went 3 for 4. He scored twice and had one run batted in.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs loosened the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 3-1.

Kyle Miller and Tyler Pietzmeier combined to throw a four-hit gem tonight. Miller pitched the first six innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits. He struck out seven and walked no one. That's pretty good.

Pietzmeier threw the final three innings and got his first save of the season. He gave up two hits, no runs and no walks. Pietzmeier struck out four.

Right fielder Eddy Martinez hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. It was the seventh home run of the season for him. He was 1 for 4.

South Bend's other run came on a seventh-inning home run by shortstop Bryant Flete, his first of the season. Flete was 1 for 2 tonight.

Center fielder Donnie Dewees went 3 for 4. First baseman Tyler Alamo was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored on the Martinez HR.

More Highlights:

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds sacrificed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 4-3.

Manuel Rondon started this game and surrendered two runs on three hits over four innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Because Rondon didn't go five innings, Michael Knighton got the win with three innings of scoreless relief. He gave up just one hit. Knighton struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Mark Malave pitched the ninth and got the save. Malave walked two, but he got a double-play in-between the two so the Volcanoes never had a major rally going. He didn't give up any hits nor did he record a strikeout.

Catcher Tyler Payne went 2 for 4. He tripled and scored in the third inning. Right fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 1 for 2 with two walks. He walked in the seventh inning, stole second and went to third on a wild throw. Mitchell then scored on a wild pitch.

The Ems are now 11-5 on the season.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Athletics, 9-5.

Brian Matusz pitched two scoreless innings in this game.