Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 16

Gosh. Two nights into Eugene’s season and we’ve already got our first 0-5 evening. Two teams were even eliminated from first-half playoff consideration tonight as well. (There’s always the second half. And Myrtle Beach did qualify.)

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were drowned out in the cacophony of the Nashville Sounds (Athletics), 7-1.

Zach Hedges was promoted to Triple-A and he got knocked around in his first I-Cubs start. Hedges allowed six runs (three in the first inning and three more in the second) on seven hits over five innings. Hedges walked one and he didn’t strike anyone out.

Jeimer Candelario had a productive night at the plate. He had two double in a 2 for 4 game. He drove in Jacob Hannemann with one of those doubles in the third inning for Iowa’s only run of the game. Hannemann went 2 for 4 with a double.

Catcher Victor Caratini went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies gave up three runs in the top of the ninth and were extinguished by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins), 5-3. With the win, the Lookouts eliminated the Smokies and clinched the first-half division title.

Starter James Pugliese kept the Lookouts from scoring over the 3.2 innings he pitched. Pugliese gave up four hits and walked two. He struck out three batters.

Ryan McNeil entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead. After he allowed the first two batters to reach on a single and a walk, a throwing error by first baseman Yasiel Balaguert opened up the gates to a three-run inning. McNeil took the loss giving up three unearned runs on one hit and one walk. McNeil struck out one.

Third baseman Jason Vosler gave the Smokies a 3-2 lead with a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was Vosler’s 12th home run of the season. He was 1 for 2 with two walks.

Center fielder Trey Martin was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were blanked by the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 2-0.

The Pelicans scoreless innings streak ended at 33 when starter Michael Rucker gave up two runs in the third inning. The final line on Rucker was two runs, one earned, on just three hits over six innings. Rucker struck out six and walked two.

Shortstop Andruw Monasterio was 1 for 2 with a walk. Right fielder Eloy Jimenez and second baseman Trent Giambrone were both 1 for 4 with a double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were capsized by the Lake County Captains (Indians), 6-5. The loss eliminated South Bend from the first-half wild card spot in the playoffs.

Dylan Cease came off the disabled list and started for South Bend but he only lasted 2.1 innings as the Cubs are easing him back from his ankle injury. Cease surrendered two runs on three hits. He struck out two and walked two.

Marc Huberman took the loss when unearned runs again came to back to bite the Cubs system. Huberman allowed one unearned run on one hit over two innings. He struck out three and walked one.

Catcher Alberto Mineo was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were defeated by the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 7-0.

The start and the loss went to Jesus Camargo after he allowed four runs on two hits over three innings. Two of the four runs were unearned as the Ems made five errors tonight. Camargo struck out two and walked one.

First baseman Gustavo Polanco went 2 for 4.