Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 15

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs comeback in the ninth inning fell short as they were stopped by the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 7-6.

Williams Perez made his Cubs debut one he’d sooner forget. Perez took the loss after giving up six runs on ten hits in just five innings. Perez did strike out five and walked just two, so that’s good at least.

Zac Rosscup also pitched in his first game since 2015 and allowed a home run to Jared Hoying. Rosscup allowed just the one run on three hits over two innings. Rosscup struck out two and walked no one.

Iowa loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate. But Jeimer Candelario and Mark Zagunis both struck out and while Victor Caratini lined a 3-0 pitch to center field for a two-run single to get the Cubs to within a run, Taylor Davis then grounded out to end the game.

Second baseman Chesny Young was 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. DH Ian Happ went 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Bijan Rademacher went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies split a doubleheader with the Mississippi Braves, winning game one 3-2 in nine innings and dropping the second game 3-1.

Preston Morrison started game one and allowed just six hits over 5.2 innings. However, two of the hits were solo home runs in the sixth inning which accounts for the two runs he allowed. Morrison struck out two and walked no one.

Daury Torrez pitched two perfect innings for the win. Torrez struck out two.

Pinch-hitter Erick Castillo singled home Cael Brockmeyer with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Left fielder Jeffrey Baez hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the game to extra innings. Baez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 4.

In the second game, starting pitcher Duane Underwood gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out three.

The only Smokies run in game two came on a solo home run by third baseman Jason Vosler in the bottom of the seventh. Vosler was 1 for 3.

The Smokies only had three hits in game two.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans got clawed by the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians), 5-3.

Starter Casey Bloomquist took the loss after he was touched for three runs on seven hits over just four innings. Bloomquist struck out four and walked just one.

The Pelicans also mounted a ninth-inning comeback that fell short, scoring two runs on a double by Jesse Hodges. That brought the tying run to the plate with no outs, but the Pelicans couldn’t score again. Hodges was 2 for 3 with all three Pelicans RBI.

Shortstop Bryant Flete was 3 for 4 with a double and scored twice.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were carried out to sea by the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 6-5.

Jose Paulino pitched the first four innings and gave up three runs, but only one of the three runs was earned. Except that it was his own error, and if you’re a longtime reader you know how I feel about that. Paulino gave up five hits, walked two and struck out one.

Pedro Silverio gave up a run on two hits over two innings of relief and took the loss. Silverio struck out one and did not walk anyone.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell hit his first home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. Mitchell was 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored twice.

Second baseman Zach Short went 2 for 4 with a triple and a walk. He scored one run and drove one in.

Catcher Alberto Mineo was 2 for 4 with a triple and a walk. First baseman Vimael Machin was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the second inning.