Chicago Cubs Minor League Playoff Wrap: September 7

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were decoyed by the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 4-1, The Wood Ducks take a one game to none lead in the best-of-three series.

Michael Rucker started and took the loss. Rucker allowed three runs in the fourth inning before getting pulled. The final line on Rucker was four runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. Rucker struck out three and walked one.

Right fielder Roberto Caro doubled home Tyler Alamo with the only Pelicans run of the game in the sixth inning. Caro was 2 for 4 and Alamo was 1 for 3 with a walk.

DH Vimael Machin was 3 for 4 with a double.

Willson Contreras caught the first four innings. He was 0 for 2 and was hit by a pitch at the plate.

The two teams will now play a seven-inning game tomorrow in Myrtle Beach. If the Pelicans win that game, the two teams will play another seven-inning game tomorrow to decide the series. So the Pelicans have to sweep a doubleheader tomorrow or their season is over.

Alec Mills will start game one tomorrow.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds stomped on the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 10-4. The Ems won the best-of-three playoff series two games to none.

Starter Jesus Camargo went four innings and allowed three runs on four hits. All three runs came on a three-run home run by Pavin Smith, the 7th pick in the draft last June. It was the first home run Camargo has allowed all year and the first profession home run by Smith. Camargo walked three and struck out seven.

Ricky Tyler Thomas pitched the next three innings without allowing a run or a hit. He struck out five and walked one.

Luis Aquino entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with Eugene holding a 4-3 lead. He coughed up the lead, but got the win when Eugene exploded for six runs in the top of the ninth. Aquino pitched two innings and allowed one run on two hits. He struck out three.

Catcher Miguel Amaya hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth that broke the 4-4 tie. Amaya was 2 for 4 with two RBI. He scored twice.

Center fielder Chris Singleton blew the game open when he hit a three-run double two batters after Amaya’s double. Singleton was 1 for 4.

Right fielder Brandon Hughes hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Ems a 3-0 lead at the time. Hughes was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice and had three total RBI.

Shortstop Jhonny Bethencourt was 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

The Ems advance to the best-of-five Northwest League against Vancouver finals as they look to repeat as league champions. Games 1 and 2 will be played in Eugene, starting on Saturday.

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs cut the AZL Giants down to size, 13-5. Thus, the Mesa Cubs win the Arizona League championship series, 2 games to 1.

Emilio Ferrebus started for the Cubs and allowed one run on two hits over two innings. He struck out one and walked one intentionally.

Jeffrey Passantino was awarded the win because Ferrebus didn’t go five innings. Passantino pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He struck out two and walked no one.

Mesa banged out 16 hits tonight, 13 singles and three doubles. Shortstop Luis Vazquez was 4 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Right fielder Jonathan Sierra was 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI. He scored twice. Third baseman Delvin Zinn went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk.

Catcher Marcus Mastrobuoni went 2 for 3 with two walks. He scored one run and drove in one.

Mesa finished the regular season 25-31, but they won the second-half division title with a 16-12 record. They went 4-1 in the postseason to claim the league title.

Here’s a photo of the celebration.