Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 27

RHP James Norwood was promoted from Myrtle Beach to Tennessee. RHP Jake Stinnett was activated off the DL and sent to Myrtle Beach to make his non-rehab season debut.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs put the El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres) on a leash, 6-5.

Five Iowa pitchers combined to strike out 20 batters in this game, which is a team record for a nine-inning game. The El Paso broadcasters said that it tied a PCL record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game, but I haven’t been able to confirm that. Starter Williams Perez only lasted 2.1 innings and he allowed three runs on four hits. One of the three runs was unearned. Perez walked two and struck out four.

Pierce Johnson pitched the next 2.2 innings and allowed a run on two hits. Johnson struck out four more and he walked one.

Dillon Maples pitched the bottom of the sixth inning and got the win. Maples allowed a run on one single, one walk and one hit batsman. But Maples struck out three in his one inning of work.

Jack Leathersich pitched two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. Leathersich struck out six and walked one.

Matt Carasiti pitched the ninth inning and got the save. Carasiti walked the first batter he faced, but then struck out the next three.

The I-Cubs recorded their final 12 outs by strikeout. If you take out Christian Villanueva thrown out at second base trying to stretch a single into a double, they recorded their final 14 outs by a strikeout.

Second baseman Tommy La Stella was 3 for 5 with an RBI. Right fielder Mark Zagunis went 2 for 4 with one run batted in and one run scored. Zagunis also stole one base.

Shortstop Elliot Soto was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. He also scored one run. Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were kneaded by the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 6-3.

Trevor Clifton only got through one inning and took the loss. Clifton allowed five runs on six hits. He walked one and did not strike anyone out.

Shortstop Carlos Penalver was a perfect 3 for 3 with a walk. Penalver scored twice.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer went 2 for 4. He had one RBI and one run scored.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were vetoed by the Potomac Nationals, 5-4. It was the Pelican’s fifth-straight loss.

The 20-inning scoreless streak of Michael Rucker came to an end as he gave up a run in the first inning. Rucker pitched five innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Jake Stinnett took the loss in relief. He gave up two runs on four hits, including a solo home run, over 1.1 innings. Stinnett struck out two and walked one.

Third baseman Jesse Hodges hit a two-run home run in the third inning. It was his tenth homer of the year. Hodges went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Left fielder Eddy Martinez provided both of Myrtle Beach’s other runs on a two-run home run in the sixth, his 12th of the season. Martinez was a perfect 3 for 3 with a walk.

Shortstop Zack Short went 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. Catcher Tyler Pearson was 2 for 4 with a double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were boarded by the Lake County Captains (Indians), 9-7.

Carson Sands put South Bend in an early hole with poor control. Sands allowed five runs on three hits and five walks over just 1.2 innings. Sands struck out three.

The Cubs trailed this game 9-0 after 3 ¹⁄₂ innings, but rallied to make it close, at least. Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 2 for 5 and scored once. Shortstop Isaac Paredes was also 2 for 5 with a run scored, but he chipped in a two-out, two-run single in the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate. However, D.J. Wilson struck out to end the game.

Catcher Tyler Payne went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds stopped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 8-5.

Matt Swarmer started and got the win. He allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Catcher Michael Cruz hit his third home run in three days with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Cruz was 3 for 4 with three RBI.

Right fielder Brandon Hughes went 2 for 4 and scored twice. First baseman Gustavo Polanco went 2 for 4 and scored once.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Angels, 5-2.