Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 14

Albert Almora Jr. and Brian Matusz were both placed on the 7-day DL today.

Iowa Cubs

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

Starter Drew Rucinski got into trouble in the fifth inning and because he couldn't finish the inning, he didn't get the win. The line on Rucinski was 4.2 innings pitched while allowing two runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out seven.

The win went to Pierce Johnson, despite the three-run home run to Jon Kemmer that Johnson gave up in the seventh inning. However, Johnson did get out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the fifth that he inherited from Rucinski. The final line on Johnson was three runs on two hits over two innings. He struck out walked two and struck out four.

Armando Rivero had a 2.1 inning save. Rivero allowed just two hits. He struck out five and walked no one.

Just a day after striking out 18 Grizzlies, the I-Cubs struck out 16 Fresno hitters tonight.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario was 2 for 4 with a walk and a two-run triple in the first. Candelario had four total RBI and he scored once.

DH Cael Brockmeyer went 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and a walk. He scored once. Left fielder Kristopher Negron was 2 for 5. He scored one run and drove on in.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds), 10-7.

Brad Markey only lasted 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out no one.

David Berg gave up four runs in the seventh inning and took the loss. Berg's final line was four runs on six hits over 1.1 innings. He had neither a strikeout nor a walk, although he did hit one batter.

Most of the Smokies offense came from catcher Victor Caratini, who was 3 for 4 with a double and a triple. He also walked once. He had three RBI, including two on the triple in the first inning. He scored once.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans laid an egg against the Carolina Mudcats (Braves), 8-6.

The Mudcats scored all eight of their runs off starter James Pugliese in the fourth inning. Pugliese faced the minimum over the first three innings (thanks to a caught stealing in the third) and then the wheels fell off. The final line on Pugliese was eight runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. He walked three and struck out seven.

Catcher Tyler Pearson hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his first home run since 2014. Pearson was 1 for 4 and had two total RBI.

Second baseman Bryant Flete was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored one run and had one run batted in.

First baseman David Bote was 2 for 5 and scored once.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs lost to the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 6-5 in ten innings.

Starter Jose Paulino pitched six innings and gave up four runs, only two of which were earned, on six hits.  Paulino walked one, hit one and struck out two.

Dillon Maples gave up a solo home run in the ninth to blow the save and another run in the tenth to lose the game. Maples allowed two runs on four hits in 2+ innings. Maples struck out two and walked one.

Center fielder Connor Myers hit his first professional home run in the fifth inning with the bases empty. Myers was 2 for 4 with two RBI. He also made a terrific catch in center field.

An inning earlier, third baseman Matt Rose hit a three-run home run, his 12th of the year and eighth with South Bend. Rose was 1 for 4.

Left fielder Eloy Jimenez was 2 for 3 and he scored once. Second baseman Vimael Machin was 2 for 4 with a double and one run scored.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds outshone the Spokane Indians (Rangers), 4-2. With the win, the Ems record on the whole season improved to 40-15.

Starter Bryan Hudson tossed five scoreless innings as he got his third win. Hudson allowed two hits. He walked four and struck out three.

Andin Lopez entered the game with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth inning. He allowed one inherited runner to score, but otherwise shut down the Indians to get his first save. The final line on Lopez was two innings allowing no runs and no hits. He struck out one and walked no one.

Catcher Tyler Payne hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his second of the season. Payne was 1 for 4.

Third baseman Wladimir Galindo also hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was his eighth home run of the year. Galindo also doubled in a 2 for 4 game. He scored twice.

Shortstop Zach Short had the other two Ems RBI on an RBI single in the fifth inning and a squeeze bunt in the ninth. Short was 2 for 3.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Reds, 6-4.