Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 27

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost their home finale, 4-3 to the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals).

Starter Seth Frankoff gave up three runs in the first inning, but then settled down and kept the Redbirds from scoring again during his five innings of work. Frankoff allowed five hits. He walked three and struck out six.

Justin Hancock took the loss after he gave up an RBI double in the top of the eighth. Hancock allowed one run on one hit and two walks over two innings. Hancock struck out one.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann hit two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He had one RBI.

Third baseman Stephen Bruno was 2 for 4.

During the game, broadcaster Randy Wehofer announced he was stepping down after ten years in the I-Cubs booth. He will now serve as Iowa’s assistant general manager. One last time: “get outta my yard.”

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies usurped the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 4-2.

Casey Bloomquist was promoted from Myrtle Beach before today’s game and he got the win after giving up just two runs on seven hits over five innings. Bloomquist struck out four and walked just one.

Craig Brooks pitched the bottom of the ninth and got the save, although he did have to strike out Eloy Jimenez as the potential winning run to do it. Brooks did not allow a run, but he did put runners on first and second with a single and a walk. Brooks struck out three.

The Smokies took a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning on a three-run home run by first baseman David Bote. It was Bote’s 14th home run on the season. Bote was 1 for 4.

Center fielder Charcer Burks was 1 for 3 with two walks and a steal. He drove in the Smokies’ fourth run with a single in the seventh inning and he scored on the Bote home run.

Left fielder Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 4 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans pan-fried the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), 6-5 in 10 innings.

Thomas Hatch turned in five innings to start the game, allowing just one run on two hits. Hatch walked two and struck out two.

Pedro Araujo entered the game with two on and two out in the top of the ninth with the Pelicans trailing 4-3. He got a strikeout to end the threat, but after the Pelicans scored in the bottom of the inning to send the game to extras, Araujo was in line for the loss when he gave up an unearned run in the top of the tenth. But he ended up getting the win instead when the Pelicans scored twice in the bottom of the inning. The final line on Araujo was one unearned run on one hit over 1.1 innings. Araujo struck out four.

Center fielder Connor Myers had a walkoff RBI single through the drawn-in infield with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the tenth. Myers went 2 for 5 with a double.

Left fielder Trent Giambrone was 3 for 5 with an RBI single that scored the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. Giambrone also scored once.

Third baseman Jesse Hodges tripled to lead off the fourth inning and then scored on a ground out by Tyler Alamo to tie the game at 1-1. Hodges was 2 for 5 with an RBI and Alamo was also 2 for 5 with an RBI. Alamo also singled to lead off the bottom of the tenth and scored the tying run that inning.

This was Myrtle Beach’s final regular season home game, but they will have at least one home game in the playoffs as they try for their third straight Mills Cup title as Carolina League Champions.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were boarded and seized by the Lake County Captains (Indians), 9-6. South Bend’s winning streak ends at nine.

Tyson Miller started this game but exited after the first batter of the game lined a single off his foot. Bailey Clark came in to relieve Miller in his South Bend debut. Clark allowed three runs to score in the first inning, but the run and the loss was charged to Miller. Clark’s final line on the day was seven runs, five earned, on eight hits over four innings. Clark walked four, hit one batter and struck out five. Still, it was a tough way to have to make your Midwest League debut.

South Bend fought their way back into this game after trailing 8-1 after the top of the fourth. Second baseman Yeiler Peguero hit a solo home run in the third inning, his second of the season. Peguero was 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored. He also drove in two runs.

Center fielder D.J. Wilson was 4 for 4 with two doubles and a walk. Wilson scored one run in the bottom of the ninth.

Third baseman Andruw Monasterio was 2 for 4 with a walk and one RBI. Left fielder Luis Ayala went 2 for 4 and scored once.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were soaked by the Everett AquaSox (Mariners), 3-1.

Rollie Lacy, this year’s 11th round pick out of Creighton, got his first professional start after nine relief appearances and took the loss. Lacy allowed three runs, all in the third inning, on five hits over 4.2 innings. Lacy walked two and struck out four.

DH Austin Filiere went 1 for 2 with two walks.

AZL Cubs

Off day.