Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 23

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs scored five runs in the top of the ninth to force extra innings, but they eventually got run over by the Round Rock Express (Rangers), 8-7 in 13 innings.

Aaron Brooks pitched the first six innings and put Iowa in a hole by allowing five runs on seven hits. Brooks walked two and struck out three.

The I-Cubs went up 7-5 in the tenth, but Felix Peña couldn’t nail down the save. He gave up a game-tying pinch-hit home run to Jared Hoying and then loaded the bases with two outs before getting out of the jam. The final line on Peña was two runs on two hits and two walks over one inning.

Ryan Williams took the loss when he allowed a walk-off double to Travis Snider. Williams pitched three innings and allowed one run and five hits. Williams did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Mark Zagunis put the I-Cubs on the board with a pinch-hit three-run home run in the top of the ninth, his second home run in two games and third of the season. He stayed in the game and was 1 for 3.

Both catcher Victor Caratini and DH Taylor Davis had RBI singles in the top of the tenth inning. Caratini was 2 for 5 with two walks and two runs scored. Davis was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

First baseman Jeimer Candelario was 2 for 5 with two doubles, both in extra innings, and two walks. Candelario scored twice. He leads the Pacific Coast League with 10 doubles already.

Chesny Young was 3 for 6 with a run batted in.

Tennessee Smokies

It does not surprise me that they are building an ark in Chattanooga. What surprises me is that they are actually considering using it as an ark.

Doubleheader rained out.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans scored four times in the top of the ninth and sunk the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 7-4.

The Pelicans fell behind 4-1 when they allowed one run in each of the first four innings. Starter Justin Steele went three innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits. He struck out three and walked one.

The win went to Craig Brooks, who pitched two scoreless innings of relief. He gave up two hits, but did not walk anyone and struck out four.

James Norwood pitched the bottom of the ninth and got the save. He gave up one single. He did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Catcher Tyler Pearson scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on a Wood Ducks error. Pearson went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Left fielder Daniel Spingola had a two-run double in the ninth to provide to big insurance runs. Spingola was 3 for 5 with three RBI.

Robert Garcia was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to come from behind and beat the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 9-8.

Starter Bryan Hudson made his 2017 debut and he was wild. Hudson went 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on two hits. Two of the runs were unearned. Hudson struck out one and only walked two, which doesn’t sound so bad until you notice that he also hit three batters. Of Hudson’s 72 pitches, only 38 were strikes.

Duncan Robinson got the win with 3.2 innings of relief. Robinson gave up two runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Wyatt Short came into the game in the top of the ninth for the save with a three-run lead. He allowed two runs to score, but that was enough for his second save. One of the two runs was unearned. Short gave up two hits. He struck out one and walked no one.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 2 for 3 with an RBI triple and a walk. He scored twice.

Shortstop Isaac Paredes was 2 for 5 with a double and one runs scored. Chris Pieters was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.