Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 8

Just two days ago I wrote “It’s hard to understand why he [Seth Frankoff] has never gotten a major league callup.” Congratulations, Seth.

Earlier this season I implored the Pirates to call up Gift Ngoepe and they did just a few hours later. I’m the minor league whisperer.

Hey Brewers! My fantasy team needs you to call up Lewis Brinson.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were run down by the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 6-1.

David Rollins made an emergency start tonight because Frankoff went missing. Rollins took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits, including a solo home run to Alex Verdugo, over three innings. Rollins walked two (one intentionally) and did not have a strikeout.

Iowa’s only run came on a home run by first baseman Chris Dominguez in the second inning. It was his fifth home run this season. Dominguez was 1 for 4.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann was 2 for 4 with a double. Hannemann is 8 for 16 since his promotion from Double-A Tennessee.

Then there was this from our friend (and terrific photographer) Dylan Heuer.

Tennessee Smokies

Charcer Burks scored from third on a walk-off wild pitch in the bottom of the tenth inning as the Tennessee Smokies usurped the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 3-2.

Starter Preston Morrison gave the Smokies eight strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. Morrison struck out five and walked nobody.

David Garner got his first win of the year with two perfect innings of relief. Garner struck out two.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Second baseman David Bote went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk.

Burks was 1 for 5.

The Smokies are now a half-game out of first place in their division.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans crushed the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), 9-3.

Starter Adbert Alzolay had some troubles with the long ball, as he gave up back-to-back home runs to Corey Ray and Troy Stokes Jr. in the third inning. That accounted for all three of the runs he allowed over four innings of work. Alzolay only allowed three hits. He walked three and struck out eight, which is an impressive total for only four innings.

Scott Effross got the win with two scoreless innings of relief. (This wasn’t a “because Alzolay didn’t go five” situation. The Pelicans didn’t take a lead until Effross was pitching.) Effross allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two.

The Pelicans took the lead on a three-run home run by third baseman Jesse Hodges in the sixth inning. It was his fifth blast of the season. Hodges was 1 for 2 with two walks.

DH Eloy Jimenez put this game out of reach with an opposite field two-run home run in the eighth inning, also his fifth of the year. Jimenez went 3 for 4 with a walk and he scored three times.

Left fielder Daniel Spingola was 2 for 3 with two walks and a stolen base. He scored two runs.

Here are the highlights.

The Pelicans now have a 2.5 game lead over Carolina with ten games to play in the first half.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs sabotaged the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays), 8-5.

Starter Manuel Rondon pitched 4.1 innings and allowed four runs on five hits, although two of the runs were unearned. Rondon struck out four and walked two.

The win went to Chad Hockin in relief. Hockin surrendered one run on four hits over 1.2 innings. Hockin did not have a walk or a strikeout.

Dakota Mekkes entered the game in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and one out. He struck out the next five batters to end the game, four of them swinging. It was his fourth save of the season.

Shortstop Isaac Paredes tied the game up 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning with his third home run of the season. Paredes was 2 for 3 with a walk on the evening. He scored twice.

DH Alberto Mineo went 4 for 5 with an RBI double. He also scored once.

Second baseman Yeiler Peguero was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. He also drove one in.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was a home run shy of the cycle, as he went 3 for 4 with a double and a triple. Mitchell had two RBI and scored one run.

Catcher Jhonny Pereda went 2 for 4 with one run batted in and one run scored.

South Bend is currently tied for second-place (and the wild card that goes with it) in their division with Dayton.