Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were soaked by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 3-2, snapping the I-Cubs five-game winning streak.
Kyle Ryan made his Cubs system debut tonight. The former Tigers farmhand was very good, pitching five scoreless innings and gave up just three hits. Ryan struck out four and walked just one.
Preston Morrison relieved Ryan in the sixth inning and took the loss after he gave up a three-run home run to Paulo Orlando in the seventh inning. The final line on Morrison was three runs on four hits over two innings. Morrison struck out two and did not walk anyone.
One additional note on the pitching:
Reached out to some people. I'm told there is nothing to read into with Adbert Alzolay not starting tonight. Sounds like a reshuffle of the Iowa rotation. #Cubs #MiLB
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) May 11, 2018
However, you do have to wonder why the Cubs felt a need to reshuffle the I-Cubs rotation. Maybe nothing is imminent, but they’re just planning ahead.
First baseman Efren Navarro was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI single in the eighth inning.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies dipped the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins), 7-3.
Oscar De La Cruz started and got his fourth win of the season after allowing three runs on nine hits over five innings. De La Cruz struck out five and walked two.
Trey Martin hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in the sixth inning. It was his third home run this year.
Right fielder Eddy Martinez hit a bases-loaded three-run double that broke the game open in the third inning, giving the Smokies a 5-0 lead. He was 1 for 4.
Center fielder Charcer Burks was 2 for 5 and scored twice. First baseman Yasiel Balaguert was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Shortstop Zack Short was 1 for 3 with an RBI double and two runs scored. He was also hit in the helmet with a pitch tonight, but he appears to be OK and he stayed in the game. But it’s something to watch going forward.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were singed by the Buies Creek Astros, 8-5.
Starter Alex Lange was cruising along with a 4-2 lead when the Astors exploded for six runs in the sixth between Lange and reliever Ryan Kellogg. The final line on Lange was five runs, four earned, on six hits over 5+ innings. Lange struck out two, walked one and hit one batter.
Catcher P.J. Higgins went 3 for 4 with two RBI. He scored once.
Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 2 for 3 with a walk.
Highlights:
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs were cut down by the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 4-3 in 11 innings.
South Bend starter Javier Assad walked a tightrope, but he did not give up any runs over his five-inning start. Assad surrendered seven hits, he walked two and hit one batter. He did not strike anyone out.
Manuel Rodriguez pitched both the tenth and eleventh innings, which means he started both innings with a runner on second base. He allowed a two-run home run in the tenth, but South Bend scored two in the bottom of the inning to force another frame. Rodriguez gave up a run in the top of the 11th after a bunt and a ground out to start the inning. When South Bend failed to score in the bottom of the 11th,
The final line on Rodriguez was three runs on two hits over two innings. Only one of the three runs is considered “earned.” Rodiguez struck out three and walked none but hit one batter.
Shortstop Jhonny Bethencourt was 3 for 5 with a double and a stolen base.
Center fielder Zach Davis was 2 for 3 with a walk and a steal. He drove home one run and scored once in the tenth inning.