Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 2

Congratulations to Myrtle Beach Pelicans outfielder Daniel Spingola, who won the vote for Minor League Player of the Month for April! Spingola has really carried the Pelicans offense for much of April.

You still have time to vote for the Minor League Pitcher of the Month.

Ian Happ went on the disabled list today with an owie on his thumb. (That is the correct medical term, by the way.) So don’t worry. He’ll be fine and back in the lineup soon.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were rattled by the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), 5-3.

Seth Frankoff allowed just one hit over five innings: a solo home run to Tomas Telles in the fourth inning. Frankoff struck out six and walked just one.

It was a rough relief appearance for Rob Zastryzny, who took over in the sixth. Zastryzny took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in just 2.2 innings. Zastryzny walked one and struck out one.

Chris Dominguez made his debut in the Cubs organization tonight, taking Happ’s spot on the roster. In his first game, he went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI groundout.

Catcher Victor Caratini was 2 for 4. He scored once and had an RBI single in the first inning.

Right fielder Chesny Young was 2 for 4 with a double. Shortstop Ozzie Martinez was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

Off day as they travel home from Jackson, Mississippi. They take on the Jumbo Shrimp tomorrow. I hope they bring home lots of cocktail sauce.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans got swept in a doubleheader by the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 2-1 and 8-2.

In the first game, Ryan Kellogg went the distance, but still got the loss. He allowed just two runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out one and didn’t walk anyone.

The only Pelicans run came on a home run by first baseman Adonis Paula in the fifth inning, his first of the season. Paula went 2 for 3.

In game two, Kyle Miller made his first appearance in Myrtle Beach after being promoted from South Bend. It didn’t go as well as we would have liked. Miller got knocked around for seven runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over just 2.2 innings. His defense didn’t help him out either as four of the seven runs were unearned. Miller struck out three and walked two.

Both of Myrtle Beach’s runs came on solo home runs. Left fielder Robert Garcia hit his first of the year in the fifth inning. He was 1 for 3.

In the top of the seventh, Paula hit his second home run of the day and second of the year. Paula was also 1 for 3.

Catcher P.J. Higgins was 2 for 3.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Kane County Cougars (Diamondbacks), 7-6.

Starter Jose Paulino went six innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. After striking out just four batters in his first three starts of the season, Paulino struck out seven tonight and walked just one.

Wyatt Short pitched the top of the ninth inning and he loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk. But he got out of the jam with a pop out and a 6-4-3 double play. He got the win after the Cubs big comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Center fielder D.J. Wilson had a two-run single in the ninth inning and later came around to score the tying run. In the fifth inning, Wilson gave South Bend a 3-2 lead with a solo home run, his second of the season. Wilson was 2 for 4 with three RBI.

Shortstop Zack Short walked in the ninth inning and later scored the winning run on a wild pitch. Short went 1 for 3 with two walks. He also stole a base.

South Bend coaches and front office staff got their World Series rings before today’s game. (No South Bend players got rings, although most of them got Eugene Emeralds Northwest League Champions rings during Spring Training.) But manager Jimmy Gonzalez said after the game "As I [look at] this ring in my hand, the part that really stands out is the 'We Never Quit' [inscribed on the bottom of the ring]."

Well said, skipper.