Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 17

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs won their fifth straight game, 8-7 over the Sacramento River Cats (Giants).

Stephen Fife was activated off the disabled list and made his first start for Iowa since May. He went four innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Felix Peña got the win because Fife didn't go five innings. That's a bit surprising because Peña was also eligible for the save and official scorers usually try to give out both awards. But since Fife wasn't eligible and and Miguel Mejia allowed three runs in two innings and Armando Rivero survived only a third of an inning and allowed a run, the win was given to the best pitcher of the game. Interesting concept.

But Peña was the best pitcher. He entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh and a one-run Iowa lead. Peña got out of the jam with an inning-ending double play and then retired the side in order in the eighth and ninth. Seven batters, eight outs. Two of the outs were strikeouts.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario hit a solo home run in the second inning and an RBI double in the fifth. Candelario was 2 for 4 and scored twice. It was his 11th home run this year and seventh for Iowa.

Logan Watkins was 2 for 3 with a sac fly. He scored once and had two total RBI.

Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 3 with one run batted in. Right fielder Juan Perez was 2 for 4. He scored once and drove one run in as part of a six-run fifth inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were burned by the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 5-1.

Tyler Skulina pitched the first 5.1 innings and took the loss after surrendering four runs on 11 hits. Two of those hits were solo home runs. (Although one bounced off right fielder Ian Happ's glove and over the fence.) Skulina walked three and struck out three.

Happ was 3 for 3 with a walk and a steal in this game. He scored the lone Smokies run on a sac fly by Jason Vosler in the fourth inning.

Tommy La Stella returned to the field and he got a single to right field in his first at-bat. In his second AB, he got hit in the foot with a pitch. He stayed in the game one more inning after that, but he then stayed in the dugout to start the fifth inning.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans cut short the comeback of the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 6-5.

Preston Morrison started and improved his record in the Carolina League to 3-0. Morrison pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Morrison walked three and struck out six.

Ryan McNeil entered the game with a 6-3 lead in the eighth inning and threw a scoreless inning. But then he came out for the ninth and got into trouble. He allowed two runs and had the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on first with only one out when he yielded to Tommy Nance. Nance got a slow roller to third that David Bote made a great play on and threw out the runner trying to score from third. Nance then got a grounder to short to end the game and get a well-earned save.

Left fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 5 with two doubles and two runs scored. Shortstop Andrew Ely was 2 for 5  and scored once. First baseman Yasiel Balaguert went 2 for 4 with a walk. Balaguert scored once and had one RBI.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs lost a tire against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays), 8-5.

Oscar De La Cruz had his first bad start of the season, taking the loss after getting tagged for six runs on eight hits in only three innings. De La Cruz struck out four and walked one.

All five South Bend Runs came on home runs. DH Adonis Paula hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. It was his second of the season. Paula was 1 for 4.

Third baseman Matt Rose hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning. Rose has hit 13 home runs this year and nine of them came for South Bend. Rose was also 1 for 4.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds won their 13th straight game, 3-2 over the Boise Hawks (Rockies).

Starter Dylan Cease and reliever Duncan Robinson did not allow a hit until there was one out in the seventh inning. Cease went 3.2 innings. He walked three and struck out eight. Robinson allowed just the one hit over three innings, but was charged with two runs after Josh Conway relieved him and walked the first three batters he faced, forcing in two inherited runs. Robinson struck out two and walked one.

Tyler Peitzmeier pitched the final two innings and got the win. Peitzmeier allowed just one hit and no runs. He struck out one and walked no one.

Third baseman Trent Giambrone singled home Kevonte Mitchell with two out in the bottom of the ninth to end the game. Giambrone was 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Mitchell was 2 for 4 and doubled with one out in the ninth.

AZL Cubs

Beat the White Sox, 15-7.