Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 21

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs fell down to the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 8-7.

Aaron Brooks started and took the loss. Brooks went 6.2 innings and was touched for eight runs on 11 hits, including three home runs. Brooks did control the strike zone as he struck out seven and walked no one. Seventy-one of his 102 pitches were strikes.

In Brooks’ defense, the wind was blowing about 18 mph straight out to center in Des Moines today. That helped lead to three I-Cubs home runs of their own.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario hit a monster home run in the bottom of the first inning. The solo blast was Candy’s sixth of the year. He was 1 for 5.

Left fielder Mark Zagunis was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a solo home run in the third inning. It was his seventh home run this year. Zagunis scored three times.

First baseman Victor Caratini hit a two-run home run in the third, two batters after Zagunis hit his. It was his fourth home run. Caratini went 2 for 4 with three RBI. He also scored twice.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies split a doubleheader with the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), winning game one 7-1 and dropping the second one 4-2.

James Pugliese started game one and allowed just one run on four hits over four innings Pugliese struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Because Pugliese didn’t go five innings, the win went to reliever Daury Torrez, who improved his record to 3-0. Torrez pitched two scoreless innings and surrendered just one hit. Torrez struck out one and did not walk a batter.

DH Ian Rice hit a two-run home run in the second inning and followed it up with a two-run double in the third. It was Rice’s fifth home run this year. Rice was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Left fielder Jeffrey Baez hit a solo home run with one out in the third inning. Baez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Third baseman Jason Vosler was 3 for 4. He scored twice and drove in one run.

Second baseman David Bote was 2 for 4 and scored on Rice’s double

In game two, starter Duane Underwood Jr. took the loss after giving up four runs on five hits in five innings. Underwood walked three and struck out three.

Jeffrey Baez hit his second-home run of the day to lead off game two. He was 1 for 3 and now has five home runs this year.

Second baseman Andrew Ely was 2 for 3 with a double. He scored the Smokies other run in the third.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dirtied up the Salem Red Sox, 5-1.

Starter Adbert Alzolay was brilliant today. He allowed just one hit over six innings, a solo home run in the fourth inning. Alzolay struck out eight and walked just one.

The Pelicans scored all five of their runs in the seventh inning. Eddy Martinez and Matt Rose hit back-to-back home runs in the inning to put the Pelicans up 2-1. Martinez was 1 for 2. Rose was 1 for 4.

Before anyone asks, I don’t know why Martinez pinch-hit for Eloy Jimenez in the seventh. I’m hoping manager Buddy Bailey just knew that Martinez was going to hit a home run.

Robert Garcia hit a two-run single later in the seventh. He was 1 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were wrenched by the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 5-3.

It was a quality start for Bryan Hudson, who allowed just one run on six hits over six innings. Hudson walked two and struck out two.

The Lugnuts took the lead with a four-run eighth inning that started after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled after Bo Bichette reached on an error off of Chad Hockin. Hockin got the loss after he surrendered two runs, one earned, on two hits over 1+ innings. Hockin struck out three and didn’t walk anyone.

Second baseman Zack Short was 1 for 2 with a double, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. He scored once.