Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 9

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost their first game of the season as they were tripped up by the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 12-1.

Jake Buchanan got hammered for four runs in the bottom of the first inning and never recovered. Buchanan allowed eight runs on eleven hits in 5.2 innings. Three of those hits were home runs. He walked two and struck out two. At least he ate some innings for the team.

Iowa only managed three hits today, but one of them was Ian Happ’s third home run of the season already. Happ was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies scored early, but Pensacola scored late as the Smokies were speared by the Pensacola Blue Wahoo (Reds), 4-3.

Preston Morrison started this game and other than some control issues, did well. Morrison pitched five scoreless innings and gave up just two hits. He did walk four batters and he struck out three.

Ryan McNeil entered the game with two outs in the eighth and pitched out of a jam left him by Daniel Corcino, who had already allowed two runs to make it 3-2. But then McNeil came out to pitch the ninth and he gave up two runs as Pensacola completed their comeback. The final line on McNeil was 0.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk.

Left fielder Charcer Burks led off the game with his first home run of the year. Burks was 1 for 5.

Second baseman David Bote was 4 for 5. Right fielder Jeffrey Baez was 2 for 4 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans shaved the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians), 4-3.

Oscar De La Cruz made his season debut and picked up a win with five scoreless innings. De La Cruz allowed five hits. He struck out five and walked two.

Scott Effross got his second save of the year, but not without a lot of difficulty. He allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning and two runs in the ninth after two were out. His final line was 1.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. Effross struck out one.

Third baseman Matt Rose opening up the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Rose also hit a two-run single in the fifth inning for three of the Pelicans’ four RBI. Rose also doubled in a 3 for 4 game.

First baseman Tyler Alamo was 2 for 4 with a double. Left fielder Daniel Spingola went 2 for 5.

South Bend Cubs

Not only did South Bend score today, they won! In fact, South Bend scored seven runs as they calmed the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 7-1.

Manuel Rondon started and got the win. He gave up one run on three hits over 5.2 innings. Rondon struck out seven and walked two.

Catcher Alberto Mineo had five RBI today: an RBI double, a two-run single, an RBI groundout and an RBI “reached on an error.” Mineo was 2 for 4.

Shortstop Zach Short was 3 for 3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. He scored four times.

Shortstop Isaac Paredes was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Paredes scored three times and had one RBI.