Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 8

The Cubs named catcher Victor Caratini and right-hander Thomas Hatch as their Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively. Those are the same choices as you made in our fan vote. Congratulations to both of them.

Also, remember that Eloy Jimenez is playing in the Futures Game tomorrow. Also of interest, Jose Albertos will be making his Eugene debut, which will give those of us with milb.tv a chance to see him pitch finally. Jen-Ho Tseng will also make his Triple-A debut.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got soaked by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 5-1.

Starter Aaron Brooks made one fatal mistake: a grand slam to Raul Mondesi. Those were the only four runs Brooks allowed in his seven innings of work. He allowed six hits, struck out nine and did not walk anyone.

First baseman Chris Dominguez was 2 for 4 with Iowa’s sole RBI. Second baseman Chesny Young went 2 for 5.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies snuck past the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins), 5-4.

Zach Hedges returned to Tennessee after his rough three weeks in Iowa and allowed four runs in his six-inning start tonight. However, all four of the runs were unearned. Hedges allowed eight hits. He walked one and struck out three.

James Pugliese got the win in relief. Pugliese pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Dillon Maples threw the bottom of the ninth and got the save. He struck out the first two batters he faced swinging before issuing a two-out walk. Then Maples struck out the final batter of the game swinging.

Third baseman Andrew Ely singled home right fielder Yasiel Balaguert in the top of the ninth with what proved to be the winning run. Ely was 1 for 4 and Balaguert was 2 for 4 with a double. Balaguert scored two runs.

Catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, his fifth of the season Brockmeyer was 2 for 4.

First baseman Kevin Cornelius tied the game up 4-4 in the top of the eighth inning with a solo home run, his first of the season. Cornelius was 1 for 3 with a walk.

DH Ian Rice was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans solved the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 9-5.

Thomas Hatch got his fourth win of the year after he gave up just one run on six hits over the first five innings. Hatch struck out five and walked one.

The Pelicans hit four home runs in tonight’s game and they went back-to-back twice. The first time came in the second inning when third baseman Jesse Hodges and first baseman Matt Rose both connected for solo home runs. It was Hodges’ eighth this season and Rose’s 14th. Hodges went 2 for 4 with a double and he scored twice. Rose was 2 for 4 with a double, two runs scored but also two RBI.

The Pelicans went back-to-back again in the top of the ninth as left fielder Trent Giambrone and right fielder Eddy Martinez both homered. Giambrone’s blast came with a man one. Giambrone was 1 for 4 with a walk in tonight’s game and Martinez was 2 for 5.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs scored four times in the top of the eleventh inning and defeated the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 7-3 in 11 innings.

Starter Tyson Miller went six innings and allowed two runs on just four hits. Miller did strike out eight and he did not walk anyone.

Wyatt Short pitched a scoreless ninth and tenth inning and got the win. Short allowed one baserunner, a one-out single in the ninth inning, but erased him with a double play. Short struck out two in his two innings of work.

First baseman Austin Upshaw broke the tie with an RBI single in the eleventh inning, scoring Andruw Monasterio. In the top of the first inning, Upshaw hit his first home run for South Bend (and third overall) with two men on. Upshaw was 3 for 5 with the four RBI and he scored twice. Upshaw was also hit by a pitch.

Monasterio was 2 for 5.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell went 3 for 5 with a big two-run double in the eleventh inning. Mitchell later scored that inning on a wild pitch. He also walked once and stole two bases.

Right fielder Roberto Caro was 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored once. Third baseman Vimael Machin was 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs scored. Catcher Jhonny Pereda was 2 for 5.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds vacuumed up the Tri-City Dust Devils (Padres), 8-4.

Yapson Gomez pitched the first three innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Gomez struck out six, walked one and hit one batter.

The win went to Manuel Rodriguez because Gomez didn’t go five innings, but Rodriguez certainly deserved it. He pitched three innings, faced nine batters and retired them all. He got five of them to strike out.

DH Jhonny Bethencourt led off the bottom of the first inning with his first career home run. He also hit a two-run triple in the third inning. Bethencourt was 2 for 4 with a walk and he scored twice.

Second baseman Jared Young, the Cubs’ fifteenth-round pick last month, made his professional debut and was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Padres, 14-1.