Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 29

Things are getting ugly in Triple-A.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost their eighth-straight game, 5-3 to the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Alec Mills started and took the loss. Mills allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Shortstop Ryan Court hit a two-run home run in the second inning that gave Iowa a 3-0 lead early. It was Court’s second home run this year. He was 1 for 5.

Third baseman Chesny Young was 2 for 3.

Iowa loaded the bases with no outs against former Iowa Cub Brian Schlitter in the top of the ninth, but they failed to score a run after Jacob Hannemann struck out and Court hit into a game-ending double play.

To add insult to injury, former Iowa Cub Cael Brockmeyer was 3 for 3 with a double. Former Tennessee Smokies infielder Wes Darvill grounded out in a pinch-hitting appearance.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies swept a doubleheader from the Chattanooga Lookouts (Twins), winning game one 3-2 and winning the second game by the same 3-2 score.

Thomas Hatch improved his record on the season to 3-0 after he allowed two runs on six hits over five innings. One of the two runs was unearned. Hatch put the ball in play as he walked just one and he did not strike anyone out.

Dakota Mekkes pitched a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save. He struck out one. Mekkes has not allowed an earned run (and only one unearned one) in 9.1 innings so far this year.

The Smokies had two solo home runs in game one. Second baseman Trent Giambrone connected for his first home run of the year in the top of the first inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk.

In the fourth inning, first baseman Yasiel Balaguert connected for his first home run this year to tie the game up 2-2. Balaguert was 1 for 3.

Left fielder Jeffrey Baez pushed across the eventual winning run of the game on a squeeze bunt in the fifth inning. Baez was 1 for 3 with a double.

Center fielder Trey Martin was 2 for 3.

In game two, Oscar De La Cruz had a seven-inning complete game win. De La Cruz gave up two runs on four hits. He struck out five and did not walk anyone, although he did hit one batter.

Baez hit an RBI double in to cap of three-run top of the fifth inning for the Smokies. Baez was 3 for 3 with the one RBI.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans cleaned up the Salem Red Sox, 5-3.

Matt Swarmer started and took the win. Swarmer gave up just one run on five hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out five. He also hit one batter.

Bailey Clark made his Pelicans debut in this game after his promotion from South Bend and pitched three scoreless innings of relief. Clark surrendered two hits. He struck out four and walked one.

First baseman Austin Upshaw was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Catcher Jhonny Pereda went 2 for 4 with an RBI triple. He also scored one run.

Right fielder Chris Pieters was 2 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were tarred and feathered by the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 9-4.

Jose Albertos is having a rough start to the season. Albertos only lasted 1.2 innings today, allowing five runs on three hits and six walks. Albertos struck out three.

I need to mention the relief outing by Jesus Camargo. Camargo relieved Albertos in the second inning with two outs and a man on second. He got a strikeout end that inning. But over the next two innings he allowed one run on two hits. That’s not remarkable. What is remarkable is that he hit four batters in those two innings: two in the third and two in the fourth.

Right fielder Brandon Hughes was 2 for 4 with two RBI. First baseman Miguel Amaya was 2 for 4 with a double. Amaya scored one run.