Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 4

Happy 4th of July!

Congratulations to Victor Caratini, your choice for the BCB Minor League Player of the Month! It will likely be the last time Caratini wins the award. At least he hopes it will be.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs couldn’t escape the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 5-2.

Starter Casey Kelly went six innings and gave up three runs on five hits. Quality start, but he got the loss. Kelly walked three and struck out two.

First baseman Chris Dominguez singled home the first I-Cubs run in the third inning and doubled and scored the second I-Cubs run in the top of the ninth. Dominguez was 2 for 4.

Second baseman Jemile Weeks was 2 for 4 with a double.

Kyle Schwarber watch: 1 for 3 with a walk. No strikeouts.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were outlasted by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins), 6-5 in 14 innings.

Duane Underwood Jr. started and allowed five runs on six hits, including a two-run home run, over five innings. Underwood walked two and struck out two.

Then the bullpen took over. Daury Torrez pitched the next two innings and allowed a single to lead off the seventh inning. The Lookouts would not get another hit until two out in the bottom of the 14th. Justin Hancock pitched two innings, David Garner threw one, Craig Brooks pitched two and then James Pugliese pitched the 13th inning without allowing a hit, although he did load the bases with three walks after two were out.

Dillon Maples struck out the first two batters of the 14th inning, but he got the loss after allowing a walkoff single after he loaded the bases with a single and two walks.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 6 with two doubles and three RBI.

Third baseman Jason Vosler went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. Vosler scored twice and drove in two.

Left fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 7 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were crushed by the Buies Creek Astros, 12-3.

Ryan Kellogg started and allowed seven runs on 11 hits, including three home runs, in just four innings. He struck out one and did not walk anyone.

Left fielder Trent Giambrone was 3 for 4 with a double. He drove in one run and he scored one.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs served up the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 5-4 in 12 innings.

Bryan Hudson threw the first five innings and surrendered two runs, one earned, on just three hits. Hudson walked two and struck out five.

Michael Knighton pitched the top of the 12th and got the win. He put runners on the corners with a one-out walk and a two-out single, but his only strikeout ended the threat.

Second baseman Austin Upshaw led off the bottom of the 12th with a single. He stole second base and then scored on a walk-off error. Upshaw was 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs scored.

Center fielder Luis Ayala sent the game into extra innings when he tripled in the bottom of the ninth and scored on a Vimael Machin single. Ayala was 1 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He stole one base and scored twice. Machin went 3 for 5 with a walk and a steal.

Right fielder Roberto Caro was 3 for 4 with two walks and two steals. He scored once.

Shortstop Andrue Monasterio was 3 for 6.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds are in the 18th inning tied 3-3. I’ll have to update this tomorrow.

EDIT: I’m leaving that original lede up, but the Ems lost to Boise 7-5 in 20 innings.

Jesus Camargo went five innings and gave up just one unearned run on only two hits. Camargo struck out five and walked one.

Catcher Tyler Payne was doing a good job as a relief pitcher. He pitched four scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. He did not strike out or walk anyone, although he did hit one batter with a vicious 78 mph fastball that floated in like a knuckler.

The loss went to real pitcher Junior Marte, who allowed four runs on three hits over one inning. However, all four of the runs were unearned. Marte did not have a walk or a strikeout.

Third baseman Austin Filiere was 2 for 8 with two doubles and a walk. He drove in two runs.

DH Edgar Rondon was 3 for 7 with a walk and one run scored. He also stole one base.

Catcher Miguel Amaya went 2 for 8 with a triple and a walk. He also struck out four times. Amaya scored three runs.

First baseman Gustavo Polanco was 2 for 9 with five strikeouts. He had one RBI.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Padres, 9-7.

Carson Sands pitched three scoreless innings in a rehab appearance.