Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 4

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs split a doubleheader with the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), losing game one 11-6 and winning the nightcap 2-1.

Starter Jake Buchanan had trouble finding the strike zone and only went three innings. Buchanan allowed three runs on five hits. He walked five (although one was intentional) and struck out just one. He threw 77 pitches and only 44 were strikes.

Ryan Williams relieved Buchanan in the fourth and had a rough outing. Williams got hammered for eight runs on six hits, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning and a three-run home run in the fifth. He only pitched the two innings as he took his third loss. Williams walked two and struck out two.

Third baseman Chris Dominguez hit his first home run in the Cubs organization with the bases empty in the fifth. At the time, it tied the game up 5-5. Dominguez went 3 for 4 with a double and four RBI. He scored twice.

Right fielder Chesny Young was 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Shortstop Ozzie Martinez went 2 for 4 and scored once.

In game two, starter Dylan Florio gave the Cubs four strong innings. He allowed just one run on three hits. He struck out two and walked no one.

Zach Rosscup got the win because Florio didn’t go five innings, but Rosscup earned it. He pitched two perfect innings, striking out four.

Pierce Johnson pitched the seventh inning and collected his third save. Johnson allowed just one hit. He struck out one and walked no one.

Both Iowa runs in this game scored when third baseman Jeimer Candelario singled home Chesny Young, once in the third inning and again in the fifth. Both Candy and Young were 2 for 3.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were sickened by the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins), 6-2.

Starter Preston Morrison was terrific over six scoreless innings, giving up just two hits. Morrison struck out three and walked no one.

Stephen Perakslis got called upon in the top of the ninth to close out a 2-1 Smokies lead. He did not accomplish his task. Perakslis took the loss after getting rocked for five runs on five hits and a walk in the one inning he threw. Perakslis did not have a strikeout.

Second baseman David Bote gave the Smokies a short-lived 2-1 lead when he connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth. It was Bote’s third home run this year. He was 1 for 4.

Third baseman Jason Vosler stayed hot, going 3 for 4 with a double. Shortstop Carlos Penalver was also 3 for 4 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were outshined by the Buies Creek Astros, 9-4.

The story of this game was how the wheels came off in the fourth inning on starter Thomas Hatch. Hatch had not allowed a hit in the first three innings (although he did walk a pair) but in the fourth inning he gave up two hits and left the game trailing 2-1 with two outs and the bases loaded. Tommy Thorpe relieved Hatch and he faced six batters and failed to retire any of them. In the end, the Astros scored all nine runs in the fourth inning.

The final line on Hatch was five runs on two hits over 3.2 innings. Only one of the five runs was considered earned, but it was Hatch’s own fielding error that opened the floodgates in the fourth. Hatch struck out five and walked four.

The Pelicans only had four hits tonight. First baseman Matt Rose was 3 for 3 with a double and he was hit by a pitch. Rose scored twice and had one RBI. Daniel Spingola had the other hit, a two-run infield single in the sixth.

South Bend Cubs

Rained out. This game against the Cougars will not be made up. The special “Star Wars” uniforms scheduled for tonight will be worn on May 20, if you were looking forward to those.