Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 27

The Cubs released RHP John Williamson, so the team is now down one rapper. But seriously, good luck to John in his baseball and music careers.

Also, don’t forget that tomorrow night the Iowa Cubs who played in Chicago last season will get their World Series rings, except for Tommy La Stella who already got his. So if you’re in Central Iowa tomorrow night, you are going to want to go to the game and see that.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs grounded the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers), 9-7.

Starter Jake Buchanan allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits over five innings. Buchanan stuck out five and walked one. He’s one of those getting a ring tomorrow.

Ryan Williams gave up a two-run home run in the seventh inning, but took home the win when Iowa struck back for a run in the bottom of the seventh and three in the eighth. Williams allowed two runs on two hits over two innings. He struck out two and walked no one.

Felix Peña, also getting a ring tomorrow, pitched a perfect top of the ninth for his third save. He struck out one.

Right fielder Bijan Rademacher gave Iowa the lead in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run triple. He then scored on an Ian Happ sacrifice fly. Rademacher was 1 for 1 with a walk and two runs scored.

Happ also hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, his eighth home run already this season. Happ went 1 for 2 with two walks and five RBI.

Left fielder Mark Zagunis continued his power team with a solo home run in the second inning. It was his fourth home run of the past five games and his fifth overall this year. Zagunis was 1 for 3 with a walk.

The Cubs scored nine runs on just seven hits, thanks to seven walks and two home runs.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Mississippi Braves, 4-2 in ten innings.

Trevor Clifton started and allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits. He walked one and struck out three.

David Berg took the loss when he gave up a walkoff two-run home run to Carlos Franco in the bottom of the tenth. Berg pitched 1+ innings and gave up four hits. He did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Left fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 5. He drove in one of the Smokies runs and he scored the other one.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans rolled the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals), 4-0.

Starter Adbert Alzolay picked up his second win with six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Dillon Maples threw two scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit and walking two. Maples struck out four. That’s still too many walks for two innings, but Maples is showing some real improvement this season.

Third baseman Jesse Hodges homered for the second night in a row and the third time on the year. Hodges’ solo shot came in the second inning and broke a scoreless tie. Hodges was 1 for 3.

DH P.J. Higgins was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

The Pelicans scored twice in the fifth inning when Blue Rocks fielders twice lost fly balls in the lights.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs dented the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 5-1.

Starter Tyson Miller allowed one run on three hits over three innings. Miller struck out two and walked one.

Pedro Silverio got the win after relieving Miller and pitching the next three innings without allowing a run. He surrendered two hits, issued one walk and struck out four.

Chad Hockin entered the game in the ninth inning with one out after Jared Cheek walked the bases loaded. Hockin got a strikeout and a grounder to first for his second save.

Right fielder Chris Pieters hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, his second of the season. Pieters went 2 for 3 and scored twice.

All five runs scored by South Bend were unearned.