Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 9

A few changes in the minor league system today. RHP Dillon Maples got promoted to Double-A Tennessee from Myrtle Beach and RHP David Berg was promoted to Triple-A Iowa from Tennessee. OF Chris Pieters was activated off the South Bend disabled list and OF Brandon Cummins retired. RHP Michael Knighton joined South Bend and RHP Matt Swarmer was sent back to Extended Spring Training in preparation to join the Eugene Emeralds next week.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers), 7-3.

Williams Perez saw his record fall to 0-7 after allowing six runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. Three of the six runs were unearned. Perez walked three and struck out five.

David Berg did pitch 1.1 scoreless innings in his Triple-A debut.

Iowa scored all three runs in the fourth inning. Right fielder Mark Zagunis hit a two-run home run, his ninth this season. Zagunis went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Catcher Victor Caratini went 3 for 4. He scored the Cubs other run on a wild pitch.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies overran the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 4-2.

Starter Trevor Clifton got the win after going five innings and giving up just two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out five. (Hey, that’s a full house!)

The save went to Ryan McNeil, who pitched the ninth inning and allowed just one baserunner, a two-out single. McNeil struck out two.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to give the Smokies an insurance run. It was Balaguert’s fourth this year. He also had an RBI double in the sixth inning to give him a line of 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Shortstop Andrew Ely went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored once.

With the win, the Smokies take a half-game lead in their division.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans had their wings clipped by the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), 1-0. It was the first time the Pelicans were shut out all season.

Thomas Hatch continued his recent streak of solid pitching, but he got his sixth loss anyway. Hatch allowed one run on four hits over 5.2 innings. Hatch walked two and struck out four.

The Pelicans only managed two singles in this game.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were silenced by the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 4-0.

A tough-luck loss for starter Duncan Robinson. Robinson gave up just one run on a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning over his six innings of work. He allowed four hits total. Robinson struck out four and walked two.

Third baseman Vimael Machin was 2 for 3.