Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 9

Iowa Cubs

Postponed because of inclement weather. They’ll make up the game sometime, but they haven’t decided when yet.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies slipped past the Mississippi Braves, 5-4.

Michael Rucker started and got the win after he gave up just one run on three hits over five innings. Rucker struck out six and walked just one.

Craig Brooks came on to pitch the final two innings of the game to get the save. Brooks allowed two hits and one walk, but no runs. Brooks struck out three.

Third baseman Jason Vosler hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his first of the season. Vosler was 1 for 5.

Center fielder Trey Martin was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Right fielder Eddy Martinez went 1 for 3 with a walk and a steal.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were left standing still by the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 6-4.

Alex Lange made his season debut and he allowed just two runs, one earned, over the first five innings. Lange allowed four hits. He struck out four and did not walk anyone.

Chad Hockin gave up two runs in the top of the ninth inning and got the loss. Hockin allowed the two runs on two hits and pitched 1.2 innings total. He did not issue a walk and Hockin struck out one.

Catcher P.J. Higgins went 1 for 2 with a two-run single and a sac fly to total three RBI. Higgins also walked twice.

Third baseman Austin Upshaw was 2 for 5.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs left the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) choking on fumes, 9-4.

Cory Abbott made his first start of the year a winning one. Abbott gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits over five innings. Abbott struck out five and walked one.

Bailey Clark threw three scoreless innings of relief of Abbott. Clark allowed just two hits. He struck out four and didn’t walk anyone.

South Bend won this game on patience and wildness by the Hot Rods. They walked eight times, were hit by two pitches and Rays pitchers uncorked three wild pitches.

Also, the Hot Rods starting catcher was injured in this game and the starting DH had to come in the game to catch. That meant that Bowling Green played most of this game without the DH and the pitchers had to hit, which is rare for the Midwest League.

Catcher Tyler Payne was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.

Right fielder Chris Carrier went 0 for 1 with three walks and two runs scored. Two of those walks came with the bases loaded, so Carrier had two RBI.

Second baseman Jared Young went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. He scored twice.