Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 7

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 6-5 in 11 innings.

This game was scoreless after nine innings. Both teams scored three runs in the tenth inning under the new extra-innings rule where a runner starts the inning on second base. Then Oklahoma City scored three more runs in the top of the 11th and the Cubs only managed two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Anyway, the Cubs couldn’t take advantage of a good start by Luke Farrell, who pitched 5.2 scoreless innings. Farrell gave up three hits, all singles. He struck out six and walked two.

Alberto Baldonado took the mound in the top of the 11th and took the loss. He was charged with three runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. One of the runs was unearned, because the runner that starts the inning on second is considered an unearned run if he scores.

Right fielder Bijan Rademacher was 2 for 5 including a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 11th that got the I-Cubs to within a run, but that would prove to be the last run of the game. Both of Rademacher’s hits were in extra innings.

Catcher Taylor Davis was 2 for 5 with an RBI single in the tenth inning but he also hit into a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the 11th to end the game.

Just a reminder, tomorrow’s I-Cubs game was moved to last Thursday night, so they are off tomorrow.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies split a doubleheader with the Mississippi Braves. They won the completion of yesterday’s game 7-2 and lost today’s regularly scheduled game 7-5.

Duncan Robinson started game one yesterday and he pitched two innings before the rains came. Robinson allowed one run on four hits, but he didn’t walk anyone and he struck out two. Robinson also singled in a run in the second inning and scored after a throwing error moved him to second base and a passed ball and wild pitch then allowed him to score. It should be noted that it was Robinson’s first ever professional at-bat, as all games played below the Double-A level use the DH in every game.

Zach Hedges started the action today. He pitched quite well and got the win because Robinson obviously didn’t go five innings. Hedges went four scoreless innings and gave up just two hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Trent Giambrone was 2 for 3 with a two-run double and a walk in game one. He also scored one run.

In game two, Thomas Hatch started and he gave up three runs on four hits over four innings. Hatch struck out six and walked two.

James Pugliese relieved Hatch to start the bottom of the fifth inning and ran into trouble immediately. Pugliese allowed four runs on two hits and three walks. Pugliese only retired one batter, but at least he struck him out.

Giambrone was 1 for 3 with another two-run double and a walk in game two. He also stole one base and scored once.

Center fielder Trey Martin was 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Rained out. Doubleheader tomorrow.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs blanked the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 1-0 in South Bend’s home opener.

Javier Assad, Rollie Lacy and Manuel Rodriguez combined for the five-hit shutout. Assad started and got the win. He pitched five innings and gave up three hits. Assad struck out five and didn’t walk anyone.

Lacy took over for Assad and was terrific, striking out seven in three innings. The only hit he allowed was a two-out triple in the seventh inning, but he struck out the next batter to end the inning and no damage was done.

Rodriguez pitched the ninth for the save. He gave up a leadoff single, but that runner was caught stealing and thus Rodriguez faced just three batters. He did not strike any of them out.

The only run of the game came in the fifth inning when DH Miguel Amaya lead off the inning with a double. Amaya then went to third base with one out on a fly out and then scored on a wild pitch. Amaya was 1 for 3.

Center fielder Chris Singleton was 2 for 4 with two doubles. Shortstop Rafael Narea went 2 for 3.