Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 19

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs couldn’t make any noise against the Nashville Sounds (Athletics), 1-0 in ten innings.

Scheduled I-Cubs starter Luke Farrell was scratched before this game. No reason was given and he was still at Principal Park according to Des Moines Register reporter Tommy Birch.

So it was a bullpen game for Iowa and they turned in a great one. Alberto Baldonado started the game and he did allow two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. Baldonado struck out four.

The real gem was turned in by Rob Zastryzny, who entered the game with two on and two out in the second inning. He pitched out of that jam and then went on to toss 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. He walked one and struck out three.

Anthony Bass and Justin Hancock both tossed two scoreless innings before Cory Mazzoni came on to pitch the tenth inning. He allowed a leadoff infield single and the runner that started the inning on second base scored on a ground out one batter latter, so he took the loss. The final line on Mazzoni was one inning, allowing one unearned run on one hit. (The runner that starts the inning on second is considered an unearned run.) He struck out one and walked no one.

Iowa lost because they only managed four hits, all singles. Mark Zagunis and Efren Navarro were both 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies battered the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 5-1. It was Tennessee’s fourth-straight win over Montgomery.

A terrific start for Oscar De La Cruz, whose first two starts this season were something far less than terrific. De La Cruz allowed just one hit and no runs over six innings. He struck out six and walked just one.

Catcher Erick Castillo gave the Smokies some insurance runs with a two-run home run in the top of the ninth, his first of the season. Castillo was 1 for 4.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single in the fourth inning. Balaguert was 2 for 4.

Left fielder Jeffrey Baez was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored one run and drove one in.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The misery continues for the Pelicans as they were sunk by the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 6-5. The loss was the Pelicans’ fourth in a row and drops their record to 3-12.

Starter Tyson Miller gave up two runs in the first inning and three in the second and took the loss. The final line on Miller was six runs, five earned, on seven hits over six innings. Miller struck out seven and walked two.

Daniel Spingola replaced Kevonte Mitchell, who went on the DL, on the Pelicans roster today and Spingola hit his second home run of the season with the bases empty in the second inning. Spingola was 1 for 3.

DH Vimael Machin cut into the Wood Ducks lead with a solo home run in the third inning. It was his first of the year. Machin was 2 for 4 with a double, the home run and a walk. He scored twice.

Second baseman Andruw Monasterio was 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth that got the Pelicans to within a run. Monasterio also walked once.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were swept by the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 3-2.

Erich Uelmen started and took the loss. Uelmen allowed three runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Bailey Clark kept the Dragons in check the rest of the game, not allowing a run over the 3.1 innings. Clark gave up two hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out seven.

Left fielder Roberto Caro was 2 for 4 in his first game of the season.