Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 21

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs put the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins) to bed, 4-3.

Starter Eddie Butler has been good so far this year and tonight was no exception. Butler gave up just one run on eight hits over six innings. Butler walked just one and struck out one.

Dylan Florio relieved Butler in the seventh inning with the I-Cubs leading 3-1. He was perfect in the seventh, but he coughed up the lead in the eighth inning when he allowed two runs on three hits, including a solo home run. However, he got the win when the Cubs re-took the lead in the ninth. Florio did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Felix Peña pitched the ninth inning and got his second save. He gave up a leadoff single, but nothing else. Peña struck out one.

The I-Cubs took the lead in the top of the ninth on a Stephen Bruno pinch-hit single that scored Mark Zagunis, who had walked and was bunted over to second base. Zagunis was 2 for 3 and also had one RBI.

Center fielder Ian Happ hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the I-Cubs that 3-1 lead. It was Happ’s seventh home run already this year. He was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were subjugated by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 4-3.

Preston Morrison started and took the loss. Morrison allowed four runs on five hits in five innings. Morrison walked two and struck out five.

The Smokies were trailing this game 4-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth. They scored two runs and got the tying run as far as second base, but failed to get him home.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann made his season debut tonight and went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Hannemann also stole a base and scored once.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans hunted down the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 6-3.

Starter Adbert Alzolay gave the Pelicans five strong innings tonight, giving up just one unearned run. Alzolay surrendered six hits while striking out seven and walking no one.

The win went to reliever Dillon Maples, who pitched two scoreless innings for his third win of the year already. Maples gave up one hit, walked no one and stuck out four.

Pedro Araujo took over in the ninth after Scott Effross allowed two runs in the eight and pitched a perfect inning for his first save. Araujo struck out one.

Third baseman Jesse Hodges hit a two-run double in the top of the seventh to break a 1-1 tie. Hodges went 3 for 4 and he scored twice.

DH Matt Rose was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs beat the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 4-2.

Starter Jose Paulino gave up one run on just four hits over six innings and was rewarded with the win. He struck out one and walked nobody.

Kyle Miller pitched the final three innings for his first save. Miller gave up a run in the ninth inning on a walk and a double. Miller allowed two total hits and he struck out one.

Second baseman Zack Short clubbed his second home run of the year to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Short was 1 for 4.

Catcher Tyler Payne hit his first home run of the year with the bases empty in the third inning. Payne was 1 for 2 and also hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Left fielder Chris Pieters went 2 for 2 with a triple and a walk. Pieters scored after the triple, which led off the fifth inning.