Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 13

I was at tonight's Iowa Cubs game. In a note that probably interests me a lot more than you, the Houston Astros and Fresno Grizzlies announced today that they were extending their Player Development Contract through 2018. I think this is very good news, as the Astros have consistently put an interesting product on the field the two seasons that they've been in Fresno.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs mauled the Fresno Grizzlies (Astros), 9-5.

Four Iowa pitchers combined tonight to strike out 18 Grizzlies, which tied a franchise record. Starter Rob Zastryzny got the win after pitching five innings and allowing five runs on six hits, two of which were home runs. (Both were tremendous shots and the one by Jon Singleton was the longest one I've ever seen at Chukchansi Park. Admittedly, I've only been to 15-20 games there.) Zastryzny did have the Grizzlies batters chasing, as he struck out nine batters and walked only one.

Felix Peña struck out five in two innings, Jose Rosario struck out one in his inning and Spencer Patton struck out the side in the ninth in a non-save situation.

DH Tim Federowicz hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning, his sixth of the season. Federowicz was 2 for 5.

Note: Do you know that an iPhone autocorrect wants to change "Federowicz" to "Fed erotica"? I almost made a very embarrassing Tweet.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario was 3 for 5 with three RBI and a run scored. Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 4 with a double and he scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were speared by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds), 4-2.

Michael Wagner took the loss when he allowed four runs on just three hits over six innings. Two of the hits were home runs, one three-run homer and one solo home run. Wagner struck out six and walked one.

Second baseman Ian Happ was 2 for 4 with a double in the first inning. He scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver was 2 for 4 and scored once. First baseman Ben Carhart was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans pan-fried the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 7-6 in 11 innings.

It was a strong start tonight for Jeremy Null, who gave up just one run on eight hits over seven innings. Null struck out seven and walked nobody.

Scott Effross was promoted to Myrtle Beach and was greeted rudely in his High-A debut, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in two innings. He struck out one.

The Pelicans took a 6-5 lead in the top of the tenth, when Craig Brooks got into trouble, putting runners on first and second with one out. Brooks then gave way to Daniel Lewis, who gave up a game-tying double to the first batter he faced. But with runners on second and third and only one out, Lewis intentionally walked the bases loaded and then got out of the inning with a pop up and a ground out. After Myrtle Beach re-took the lead in the top of the eleventh, Lewis gave up two singles to start the inning. But after a sac bunt put runners on second and third with only one out, Lewis got an out at the plate on a grounder to second and a ground ball to first to end the game and get the win.

The final line on Lewis, just in case you couldn't follow that, was no runs (although one inherited runner) on three hits over 1.2 innings. He had just the one intentional walk and no strikeouts.

The Pelicans took the lead in the 11th when Donnie Dewees led off the inning with a bunt single and then David Bote walked. After one out, Dewees and Bote had a double-steal and then Dewees scored on a Bryant Flete ground out.

Dewees was 4 for 6 with his 13th triple of the season. He scored twice and had two RBI. Bote was 2 for 5 with an RBI and that walk.

Third baseman Jesse Hodges was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks, one of which was intentional. Right fielder Jeffrey Baez was 2 for 6. He doubled and scored in the top of the tenth.

Shortstop Andrew Ely was 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored once.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were eaten by the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 13-0.

Nothing to see here. Move along.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds downed the Spokane Indians (Rangers), 9-3.

Pedro Silverio surrendered one run on four hits in a 3.2 inning start. Silvero struck out four and walked two.

Tyler Peitzmeier got the win because Silverio didn't go five. He relieved Silverio and gave up one run on three hits over 2.1 innings. Peitzmeier struck out two and walked no one.

Third baseman Wladimir Galindo was 3 for 5 with a double and four RBI. He scored one run.

Right fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 3 for 5 with a steal. He scored one run and drove one in. Left fielder Chris Pieters went 2 for 3 with a double and a hit by pitch. He was also intentionally walked once. Pieters scored three times and drove home two.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Giants, 3-2.