Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 16

Both John Andreoli and Dan Vogelbach played for the Tacoma Rainiers against the I-Cubs tonight. That was very confusing.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs fell down against the Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), 5-4.

The I-Cubs got a good start from Trevor Clifton, who surrendered just two runs, one earned, on five hits over 5.2 innings. Clifton walked two and struck out five.

The Iowa bullpen melted down in the bottom of the eighth inning. Dillon Maples relieved Shae Simmons with runners on the corners and one out and he not only allowed both of those runners to score, he let in one of his own to take the loss. The final line on Maples was one unearned run on one hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

The Cubs wasted Victor Caratini’s first ever multi-home run game. Caratini hit solo home runs in the first and third innings. He now has three homers on the road trip and three for the season. Caratini was a perfect 4 for 4 with a double and a walk. Caratini scored three times.

Second baseman David Bote went back-to-back with Caratini in the first inning for his 11th home run this year. Bote went 1 for 3 with two walks.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were greased by the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 8-4.

Starter Thomas Hatch allowed five runs in 3.2 innings: three in the first inning and two in the fourth. Hatch surrendered five hits and he walked four while striking out two.

The Smokies were trailing this game 8-0 in the ninth inning when a pair of home runs made the final score less embarrassing. Second baseman Trent Giambrone broke up the shutout with a solo home run in the ninth, his eighth on the year. Giambrone was 1 for 4.

Later in the ninth, right fielder Eddy Martinez connected for his third home run of the year with two men on. Martinez was also 1 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans split a doubleheader with the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), losing the first game 2-1 in nine innings (and extending their losing streak to six games) and winning game two 2-0.

Erick Leal started game one, allowing just one run on four hits over five innings. He struck out two and did not walk anyone.

Wyatt Short was terrific with three innings of perfect relief. (Is it still a perfect inning if the runner starts the inning on second base?) Short struck out three.

Jhon Romero got a crappy loss. He allowed the runner on second to score after a bunt and a sacrifice fly. Romero struck out one and intentionally walked one batter after an error.

Catcher Jhonny Pereda hit a solo home run in fourth inning, his fifth of the year. He was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Shortstop Andruw Monasterio went 2 for 4.

In game two, Casey Bloomquist snapped the losing streak with five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. Bloomquist neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Tyler Peyton relieved Bloomquist in the sixth and retired all six batters he faced for the save. He struck out two.

Center fielder D.J. Wilson led off the bottom of the first inning with his first home run of the year. Wilson was 1 for 3.

Second baseman Monasterio was 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were wrenched by the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 6-3.

Starter Javier Assad took the loss after he gave up six runs on eight hits over four innings. Two of the six runs were unearned. Assad struck out three and he did not walk anyone, but he did hit two batters which pretty much counts as a walk.

Catcher Michael Cruz hit a solo home run in the second inning, which was the first run of the game. It was Cruz’s eighth home run this year. Cruz went 1 for 4.

Right fielder Roberto Caro was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the third inning. Caro later scored in the third.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 8-4, improving to 2-0 on the season.

Jeffrey Passantino got the start and he got his fourth win in four appearances in 2018. (The other three were in South Bend.) Passantino allowed two runs on just three hits over five innings. Passantino struck out five and walked no one.

DH Jonathan Sierra had a big night, hitting a pair of doubles in a 3 for 4 game. Sierra scored twice and had two RBI. He also stole a base.

Right fielder Nelson Velazquez was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

First baseman Ramsey Romano was 2 for 4.