Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 13

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs iced the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), 5-2.

Starter Aaron Brooks got his second win of the year in as many starts. Brooks allowed just one run on five hits over five innings. Brooks walked three and struck out three.

Pierce Johnson pitched the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit or a run. He did walk one and he struck out four. It was Johnson’s first professional save and yes, he kept the ball.

In the bottom of the first inning with the bases empty, Ian Happ hit his fifth home run of the season already. Happ was 2 for 4.

First baseman Victor Caratini was 3 for 4 with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to provide some insurance runs.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were losing to the Mississippi Braves 7-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, but they roared back to score eight runs in the ninth to stun the Braves, 8-7.

Starter Jen-Ho Tseng pitched five innings and gave up two runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked no one.

Ryan McNeil pitched the top of the ninth and he gave up four runs, three of them on a three-run home run. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out just one. For his efforts, McNeil was the winning pitcher.

The first four batters in the bottom of the ninth reached: Jeffrey Baez singled, Trey Martin was hit by a pitch, Carlos Penalver singled to load up the bases and then Erick Castillo singled home Baez and Martin. But the next two batters flied out and while Penalver scored on a sac fly, the score was 7-3 with two out and Castillo on first. It looked like the comeback was over.

But the next two batters, Andrew Ely and David Bote, both singled to load the bases again. At this point the Braves changed pitchers but the new one, Danny Reynolds, couldn’t throw strikes. Cael Brockmeyer and Baez walked in runs and it was 7-5 and the winning run was on first base. Martin hit a bloop single that scored two and tied up the game and then Penalver singled home Baez with the winning run.

Third baseman Ely was 3 for 4 with a double. Center fielder Martin was 2 for 5 with a double. Shortstop Penalver went 2 for 5.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Pelicans’ pitchers combined on a three-hitter as they put the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians) out for the night, 4-0 in their home opener.

Starter Justin Steele got the win with five innings, allowing just two hits. Steele struck out six and walked one.

Craig Brooks pitched two innings without giving up a hit. He walked one and struck out four. Scott Effross pitched the final two innings in a non-save situation. He gave up one hit, but he didn’t walk anyone and he struck out one.

Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda was 3 for 4 and he scored a run. Catcher P.J. Higgins was 2 for 4.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs.

The South Bend Cubs were caught in the riptide of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 3-2.

Dylan Cease dominated the Whitecaps for five scoreless innings. Cease did allow three hits, but he struck out seven and walked just two.

Matt Schwarmer relieved Cease in the sixth inning and gave up three runs in the inning, taking the loss. Schwarmer pitched three innings and allowed the three runs on five hits. He struck out four and didn’t walk anyone.

DH Jhonny Pereda was 2 for 4.