Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 25

Justin Steele announced he’s heading to Myrtle Beach on Thursday to resume his career after Tommy John surgery. That’s terrific news.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were mauled by the Fresno Grizzlies (Astros), 9-1.

Starter Casey Coleman didn’t make it out of the second inning. He gave up six runs, all in the second inning, on five hits and three walks over 1.1 innings. Two of the hits were home runs. Coleman struck out one.

At least there was some good relief pitching in this game from Dakota Mekkes, Dillon Maples, Cory Mazzoni and Chris Gimenez. Yep, Chris Gimenez.

Shortstop Ryan Court doubled and scored in the ninth inning to extend his hitting streak to 19 games. He was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were thrashed by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 9-1.

Duncan Robinson had a rough outing, giving up seven runs on 12 hits over 4.2 innings. One of the seven runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out three.

Barons starter (and former Cubs) Dylan Cease struck threw seven scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. He struck out 12 and walked only one.

The Smokies only run came on a home run in the eighth inning by right fielder Eddy Martinez. It was his tenth of the year. Martinez was 1 for 3.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hooked by the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), 6-5.

Starter Erich Uelmen left this game in the third inning because of an apparent arm injury. That’s never good. The final line on Uelmen was one run on three hits over 2.2 innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Casey Bloomquist gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to take the loss. Bloomquist pitched 3.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits. One of the three runs was unearned. Bloomquist walked three (one intentionally) and struck out three.

First baseman Jared Young hit two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He drove in three runs.

Shortstop Andruw Monasterio went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored three runs and was driven in by Young all three times.

Second baseman Yeiler Peguero went 2 for 4 with one run scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs snuck past the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 5-4 in 11 innings.

Erling Moreno pitched the first seven innings and surrendered three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Luis Aquino pitched a scoreless top of the 11th and got the win, but not before walking the bases loaded with only one out. Aquino’s final line was no runs, no hits and two walks. He struck out one.

First baseman Austin Upshaw hit a grand slam in the eighth inning. It was his second South Bend home run and fourth overall. Upshaw was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Third baseman Christian Donahue singled home Brandon Hughes in the bottom of the 11th for the walk-off win. Donahue was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds capped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 4-1.

Starter Zach Mort pitched three strong innings. He gave up one run on four hits, but he struck out seven and walked no one.

The win went to piggyback starter Jeffrey Passantino, who was also terrific. Passantino went 4.2 innings without allowing a run. He gave up six hits, all singles. He walked two and struck out five.

Center fielder Nelson Velazquez went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Cubs 1 were off.

Cubs 2 lost to the White Sox, 3-0.