Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 31

There was some movement in the minors today as the Cubs promoted Pelicans pitcher Jonathan Martinez to Double-A Tennessee, South Bend pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. to Myrtle Beach and Emeralds pitcher Mark Malave to South Bend. Also, Iowa Cubs infielder Stephen Bruno was sent back down to Tennessee

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs drowned out the Nashville Sounds (Athletics), 10-1.

A strong start today for Jordan Preis as he gave up a solo home run to the third batter he faced and then not another run over his seven innings of work. Preis got his sixth win after allowing just the one run on three hits. He struck out seven and walked no one.

Iowa had 17 hits today, but only one of them left the yard as shortstop Kristopher Negron connected for a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was Negron's ninth home run this year. He was 2 for 5.

Center fielder Albert Almora Jr. had his first ever career four-hit game, going 4 for 5. Almora scored three times and drove in one.

First baseman Jeimer Candelario was 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. Rademacher scored three times and had one RBI.

Left fielder John Andreoli was 2 for 5 with a sacrifice fly and a stolen base. He also scored once. DH Matt Murton was 2 for 4 with a walk and three RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies toppled the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 8-7.

Jonathan Martinez made his first ever Double-A start and got his first ever Double-A win. Martinez pitched five innings and gave up three runs on five hits,  two of which were solo home runs. Martinez struck out eight and walked only one.

James Farris pitched two perfect innings for his fifth save. He struck out two.

DH Ian Happ doubled twice in a 2 for 5 night. Happ scored one run and had one RBI. Left fielder Chesny Young went 3 for 5 with a double and two RBI. He also scored once.

First baseman David Freitas was 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Third baseman Jason Vosler was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored one run.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver went 2 for 3 with a double and a sac fly. Penalver scored once.

Here's center fielder Trey Martin making a great catch, robbing a possible game-tying home run to end the game.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were shut out by the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians), 3-0.

Preston Morrison was terrific tonight, but all he got was a no-decision. Morrison pitched six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits. He walked two and struck out nine. He did also hit two batters, however.

Tommy Nance relieved Morrison and took the loss. Nance allowed three runs on three hits and two walks. He did not strike anyone out.

The Pelicans managed just four hits. Second baseman David Bote was 1 for 3 with a double and a walk.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs wiped out against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 3-1.

Oscar De La Cruz took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. De La Cruz struck out three and walked two. He also hit one batter.

Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda was 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored. Catcher P.J. Higgins drove in Sepulveda in the eighth inning with a single. Higgins was 2 for 4.

Shortstop Andruw Monasterio was 2 for 4.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds outshined the Tri-City Dust Devils (Padres), 3-2 in 12 innings.

Starter Manuel Rondon threw five scoreless innings, giving up just three hits. He struck out seven and walked three.

Andin Diaz went to protect a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, but he blew the save thanks to the defense behind him committing back-to-back errors to lead off the inning. Diaz pitched two innings and allowed two unearned runs on no hits. He did walk one and didn't strike out anyone.

Jed Carter pitched a perfect top of the 12th to get the win. He struck out two.

Right fielder Jose Gonzalez led off the bottom of the 12th with a single and went to second on a weak ground out. Gonzalez then went to third on a passed ball and scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Yeiler Peguero.

Gonzalez was 2 for 5 and Peguero was 2 for 4.