Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 13

Just two days until Eugene takes the field.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs silenced the Nashville Sounds (Athletics), 8-4.

Starter Casey Kelly went five innings and surrendered four runs on six hits. He had some control issues as he walked five (although one was intentional) and hit one batter. Kelly struck out three.

David Berg relieved Kelly in the bottom of the sixth and pitched a perfect inning. He struck out one. Berg got the win when Iowa exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh.

The big blow in that seventh inning was a three-run triple by Mark Zagunis. Zagunis was 1 for 5 and scored later in that inning.

Victor Caratini hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth. It was his sixth this season. Caratini was 1 for 4 and was intentionally walked once. Caratini scored twice.

Second baseman Chesny Young went 2 for 5. He had an RBI single and also scored a run in the seventh.

Left fielder BIjan Rademacher was 2 for 5 with a double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies surrendered to the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 8-7.

Preston Morrison threw the first five innings and allowed four runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Justin Hancock took the loss in relief when he gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth. The final line on Hancock was two innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, all of which came in the eighth. He struck out one.

Left fielder Charcer Burks went 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert went 2 for 5 with a two-run single in the sixth. He scored once in the fifth inning.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer was 2 for 5 with a two-run triple in the fifth inning.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans locked down the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 2-0.

Adbert Alzolay continued his strong season with seven scoreless innings. Alzolay allowed five hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Pedro Araujo threw two innings without allowing a hit. He did walk one and struck out four to get the save.

Catcher P.J. Higgins hit his first home run since August 13, 2015 in the eighth inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk and the one RBI.

Highlights:

With the win, Myrtle Beach’s magic number for clinching the division first-half title drops to two with five games to play. If they clinch, it would be their seventh-straight trip to the postseason. That would tie a Carolina League record. (OK, four of those playoff trips were with the Rangers organization. But they’ve won two titles in two years as a Cubs affiliate.)

South Bend Cubs

Zack Short hit a walkoff home run in the bottom of the 13th inning as the South Bend Cubs beat the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 3-2.

Starter Manuel Rondon gave up two runs on just three hits over five innings. Rondon did walk four and he struck out three.

After that, the South Bend bullpen threw eight scoreless innings. Jared Cheek threw two, Chad Hockin tossed two innings and Wyatt Short had three scoreless innings.

Pedro Silverio pitched the top of the 13 and loaded the bases with one out on a single and two walks. But a line drive to second baseman Vimael Machin turned into an inning-ending double play and Silverio got the win.

Short led off the bottom of the inning with a walkoff home run down the left field line. It was Short’s sixth home run. He was 2 for 5 with two walks. He scored twice.

South Bend walked nine times in this game and Lansing walked eight.

With the win, South Bend got to within a half a game of a wild card playoff spot.