Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 8

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs hung on to beat the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 10-9. The I-Cubs won their first three games of the year for the first time since 1998.

Aaron Brooks started this game and got the win. Brooks allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. Brooks did strike out five and walked no one.

Jose Rosario had a game he’d like to forget tonight. With the I-Cubs leading the Dodgers 10 to 5 in the bottom of the ninth, Rosario entered the game to close it out. He faced five batters and allowed four runs on a double, two home runs and two walks. He failed to retire anyone. But David Rollins then came in to protect a one-run lead with a man on first and nobody out. The first batter bunted the runner over to second base and the next one hit a line drive to second baseman Ian Happ who turned it into an easy unassisted double play to end the game.

Happ also hit his second home run in as many nights when he connected for a two-run blast in the third inning. Happ was 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Fors the second night in a row, third baseman Jeimer Candelario had five RBI. Candelario hit a three-run home run in the first inning and a two-run double in the fifth. Candelario was 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Center fielder John Andreoli went 3 for 5 with a triple and a walk. Andreoli had three runs scored, one RBI and also stole one base.

The Cubs signed shortstop Ozzie Martinez a couple days ago and he made his Cubs debut tonight. He was 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies stuffed the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Reds), 9-2.

Starter Trevor Clifton gave up a two-run home run to the second batter he faced, a rehabbing Devin Mesoraco. But he only allowed one more hit all night and got the win in his first Double-A game. His final line was two runs on two hits and a walk over five innings. Clifton struck out four. He also hit an RBI single in his first professional at-bat.

Shortstop Andrew Ely was 2 for 4 with an RBI triple in the second inning, and then scored on the Clifton single. He actually scored twice tonight and had two RBI.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer went 2 for 5 with a double and two runs scored.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI. Balaguert scored once. Second baseman David Bote was 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were scratched by the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians), 6-1.

Justin Steele started and allowed four runs on four hits over four innings. He walked five and struck out only one.

The Pelicans only run in this game came on a home run in the fifth inning by catcher Tyler Pearson. Pearson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs wiped out against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 2-0. The SB Cubs have now gone 32 innings to start the season without scoring.

Dylan Cease made his season debut and he looked strong. Although he struggled with control on his fastball at times, he was sitting 94-96 mph and hit 99 once. His curveball was absolutely filthy. Despite this, he got the loss after allowing one run on a solo home run in the third inning to Cam Gibson, Kirk’s son. The final line on Cease was one run on three hits over four innings. Cease struck out eight and walked three.

South Bend had five hits tonight, all singles.