Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 13

I’m afraid that with the I-Cubs in Reno and Eugene starting the season on Friday, the days of the Minor League Wrap posting before midnight Chicago time are mostly over, with some Sunday exceptions.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs trumped the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks), 8-7.

Daury Torrez started and allowed three runs on seven hits over four innings. Torrez struck out three and didn’t walk anyone.

For some reason, the official scorer gave the win to Brad Markey, who gave up four runs, three earned, in 2.1 innings over Dakota Mekkes, who got a “hold” and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Mekkes struck out two and did not walk anyone. Markey surrendered four hits, walked one and didn’t strike out anyone. It seems to me that the only reason to award the win to Markey was because then you could give Mekkes a “hold” and you couldn’t give Markey anything.

Dillon Maples made quick work of the Aces in the ninth inning, retiring the side in order and striking out two. It was his fifth save.

Iowa banged out 13 hits in Reno: ten singles and three doubles.

First baseman Taylor Davis was 2 for 4 with three RBI.

Shortstop Mike Freeman was 3 for 5 with a double and three runs scored.

Center fielder Jacob Hannemann went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Hannemann had two RBI and scored once.

Right fielder Mark Zagunis went 2 for 5 and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies battered the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 6-4.

Starting pitcher Oscar De La Cruz couldn’t make it out of the fifth inning, getting pulled when he hit 101 pitches. De La Cruz allowed four runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings. He walked one and struck out three.

The win went to Scott Effross instead, who finished the fifth inning with a strikeout and went on to pitch a scoreless sixth. Effross allowed two hits over the 1.1 innings. He struck out just the one and didn’t walk anyone.

Craig Brooks pitched the ninth inning and got the save. He struck out the side in between a one-out single and a two-out single. A wild pitch put the tying run on second base before he struck out the final batter of the game.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone hit a two-run home run in the third inning to give the Smokies a 5-3 lead. It was his seventh home run of the season. Giambrone also had an RBI triple in the second inning. He was 2 for 3 with a walk. He had the three RBI and also scored twice. Giambrone also stole one base.

Center fielder Trey Martin had a pair of doubles in a 2 for 5 performance. Martin had one run batted in.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were cut short by the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox), 3-2. The loss eliminates the Pelicans from the first-half title chase.

Starter Corey Abbott pitched four innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. He struck out five and walked two.

Casey Bloomquist pitched three scoreless innings, giving up just two hits. He struck out two.

First baseman Austin Upshaw was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI single.

Catcher P.J. Higgins was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Right fielder Luis Ayala went 2 for 3 and scored the other Pelicans run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were devoured by the Dayton Dragons Reeds), 2-1.

Starter Ricky Tyler Thomas allowed two runs on just two hits over 4.2 innings. Thomas struck out six and walked one.

Shortstop Jhonny Bethencourt was 2 for 5.

Catcher Miguel Amaya was 2 for 4 with a double.

Third baseman Delvin Zinn was 2 for 4.

South Bend went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position in this game.