Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 16

Kyle Schwarber gave it his all. He was only beaten by the hometown hero.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were beaten by the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 6-4.

Luke Farrell pitched the first three innings and did not give up any runs, but he did walk four and allow two hits. Farrell struck out five.

Duane Underwood Jr. piggybacked with Farrell and went the next four innings. It was his best appearance in almost a month, allowing only one run on one hit. Underwood walked two and struck out two.

Cory Mazzoni took over for Underwood in the bottom of the eight inning he got plastered for four runs in just one-third of an inning. Mazzoni gave up four hits, three singles and a double, to the five batters he faced. He then exited the game for Dakota Mekkes, who struggled to finish the frame and he allowed two inherited runners to score and Memphis took the lead for good.

Third baseman Jason Vosler hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. It was Vosler’s fifth for Iowa and 17th overall, which leads all Cubs minor leaguers. Vosler went 1 for 4.

Shortstop Chesny Young went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored on the Vosler blast.

Second baseman Ryan Court went 2 for 4 with one run batted in and one run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were vassalized by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 9-2.

Starter Michael Rucker threw the first five innings and gave up two runs on seven hits. Both of the two runs scored on a pair of solo home runs. Rucker struck out five and did not walk anyone.

Zach Hedges relieved Rucker and got the loss after allowing a two-run home run in the sixth inning. The final line on Hedges was two runs on two hits over two innings. He walked two and struck out just one.

First baseman Yasiel Balaguert hit a solo home run in the second inning, his seventh of the season. Balaguert went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Connor Myers went 3 for 4 with an RBI.

Catcher Ian Rice went 2 for 4 and scored once.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans shut out the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 2-0.

Starter Alex Lange threw the first five innings, giving up just three hits. He walked one and struck out six.

If you want to watch a video about how happy Lange is to be a Cub, click here.

Manuel Rondon and Jhon Romero each pitched two innings to finish out the shutout. Rondon gave up two hits and struck out one. Romero allowed one hit and struck out three. Neither pitcher walked anyone.

Center fielder Roberto Caro stole three bases tonight after going 2 for 3 with a walk. Caro scored once.

Third baseman Yeiler Peguero went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs defanged the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 9-2.

Ryan Lawlor was terrific today and got his first ever win in the Cubs organization. Lawlor allowed just one run on one hit over five innings. Lawlor walked one and struck out 11, which tied a South Bend Cubs record.

South Bend banged out 19 hits today: 15 singles and four doubles.

Shortstop Rafael Narea went 3 for 4 with two doubles. He drove in one run and scored twice.

First baseman Cam Balego was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored one run and had one RBI.

Second baseman Delvin Zinn went 3 for 4. He had one run batted in and two runs scored.

Center fielder Zach Davis went 3 for 5 with one RBI and one run scored.

Third baseman Austin Filiere did the same, going 3 for 5 with an RBI and run scored.

Catcher Michael Cruz went 2 for 5 with one RBI.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds stilled the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 6-5 in 11 innings.

Lefty Brailyn Marquez started this game and allowed two runs on four hits over four innings. One of the two runs was unearned. Marquez struck out five and walked one.

The win went to Casey Ryan, who entered the game in the top of the 11th and allowed the runner who started the inning on second to score, but no more. Ryan gave up one hit in his inning of work. He struck out two and walked no one.

After the Ems gave up two runs in the top of the tenth, left fielder Nelson Velazquez crushed a two-run home run down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the inning. It was Velazquez’s fourth home run of the year. He was 1 for 4 with a walk.

After the Volcanoes scored a run in the top of the eleventh, Jonathan Soto doubled in a run in the bottom of the inning. Second baseman Clayton Daniel then singled him home with the winning run. Daniel went 2 for 5. Soto’s double was his only trip to the plate in the game.

Catcher Brennan Kaleiwahea went 2 for 3 with one RBI.

AZL Cubs

Cubs 1 beat Cubs 2, 13-11.

Shortstop Luis Verdugo came a home run shy of the cycle in a 3 for 6 game for Cubs 2.

Second-round pick Cole Roederer hit his second pro home run.