Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 25

For the second-straight week, Pelicans pitcher Michael Rucker was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week. Iowa Cubs pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng won the same award in the Pacific Coast League.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs kennelled the El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres), 2-1.

Rob Zastryzny came off the disabled list and hurled a gem. Zastryzny allowed just one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk anyone. The only run he allowed was on a solo home run to the opposing pitcher, Christian Bethancourt. To be fair, Bethancourt spent three years in the majors (and hit 8 home runs) as a backup catcher before converting to the mound.

Matt Carasiti pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth for his league-leading 16th save. He struck out two.

The I-Cubs only had three hits tonight. Fortunately, one of them was a two-run home run by Mark Zagunis in the third inning. It was his 12th home run this season. Zagunis was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were battered by the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 4-3.

Duane Underwood Jr. was done in by three errors as he took the loss after allowing four unearned runs over six innings. Underwood allowed seven hits. He struck out six and didn’t walk anyone.

The Smokies had 14 hits in this game, but they all were singles. Right fielder Yasiel Balaguert was 3 for 4 and he was hit by a pitch. Balaguert had one run batted in.

Third baseman Jason Vosler was 3 for 5. Center fielder Trey Martin went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI.

Second baseman David Bote went 2 for 5 with one run batted in. Catcher Erick Castillo was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were filleted by the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), 4-1.

Kyle Miller started and allowed just one run on a solo home run by Corey Ray in the first inning. Ray dented the ball.

The final line on Miller was one run on two hits over four innings. Miller did walk four, he hit one batter and he struck out six.

After Scott Effross pitched three scoreless innings of relief, Jordan Minch took the loss when he allowed two runs in the eighth inning and one in the ninth. Minch allowed three runs on three hits over two innings. One of the three runs was unearned. Minch walked one and struck out one.

DH Vimael Machin entered the game as a pinch-hitter and was 2 for 2 and he scored the lone Pelicans run on an error. Shortstop Zack Short was 3 for 4.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

Off day as they head home from Wisconsin.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds plugged the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 7-6.

Cubs first-round pick Brendon Little made his professional debut and struggled, giving up three runs on three hits over three innings. One of the three runs was a solo home run. Little walked one and struck out one. Little hit one batter.

The win went to Elvis Diaz, who pitched 2.2 innings and allowed one run on two hits. He struck out four and he didn’t walk anyone.

Luis Aquino pitched the final two innings and got the save. He walked one batter and hit one batter as the only two baserunners he allowed. Aquino struck out one.

The two pitching staffs hit a combined eight batters tonight.

Catcher Michael Cruz hit two two-run home runs tonight. The first one came in the fourth inning and the second one in the sixth. That gives him three home runs on the season and two with Eugene. Cruz was 3 for 4 with the four RBI.

Center fielder Zach Davis went 2 for 4 with one run batted in.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 6-2.

Chris Singleton, the Cubs’ 19th-round pick, hit his first professional home run in this game.