Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 5

With the holiday festivities yesterday, I forgot to announce the winner of the BCB Minor League Pitcher of the Month vote! You voted for Myrtle Beach’s Duncan Robinson, who didn’t walk anyone all month. The Cubs also named Robinson as the “official” Minor League Pitcher of the Month and South Bend first baseman Jared Young as the Player of the Month. You voted for Victor Caratini, but he was already back in Chicago by the time the Cubs announced their winner.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were sharp against the flat Nashville Sounds (Athletics), 7-1.

Casey Coleman made a victorious return to the Cubs organization, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings. Coleman struck out nine and walked just two.

Iowa exploded for six runs in the sixth inning and that much more than the I-Cubs pitching staff would need.

Second baseman Chesny Young gave the I-Cubs the lead with a two-run single in the sixth. Young was 2 for 4 with three RBI. He scored one run.

Catcher Taylor Davis went 2 for 4 with one run scored.

Shortstop Ryan Court hit an RBI double that was lost in the lights in the sixth inning. (It would have been a sac fly anyway.) Court went 2 for 4 and scored later in that inning.

Right fielder Jacob Hannemann went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored two runs.

Here’s video of Young’s two-run single.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies accepted the surrender of the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 16-3.

Oscar De La Cruz has struggled recently, but tonight he was back on the right track. De La Cruz surrendered just one run on four hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out two.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone hit three home runs tonight. The first one was a first inning solo shot. The second one was a two-run home run in the fifth inning. The third was was an insurance grand slam in the ninth. Giambrone now has 14 home runs this year, taking over the team lead from the promoted Jason Vosler.

But wait, there’s more. Giambrone also had a two-run double in the eighth inning. His final line was 4 for 5 with the double, the three home runs and 14 total bases. Giambrone had nine RBI and scored four times.

Right fielder Eddy Martinez hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning, his sixth this season. Martinez went 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Left fielder Charcer Burks is off to a good start to July. He went 2 for 5 with a double and two runs batted in. He also scored twice.

Here’s Giambrone’s grand slam.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were grounded by the Buies Creek Astros, 6-1.

Starter Cory Abbott allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings. Abbott walked just one and struck out four.

Third baseman Wladimir Galindo was 2 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs junked the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays), 3-0.

Rollie Lacy got the win after keeping the Hot Rods off the board for five innings. Lacy gave up just four hits. He walked one and struck out eight. That’s pretty good.

Ryan Lawlor made his Cubs debut after signing earlier in the day. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Lacy. He allowed two hits. Lawlor struck out three and didn’t walk anyone.

Ben Hecht pitched the final two innings for the save. He gave up one baserunner, a leadoff single in the ninth, and erased him two batters later in a game-ending double play. Hecht struck out two.

Jared Young celebrated his award with a solo home run in the third inning, his tenth of the season. Young went 3 for 4.

Left fielder Brandon Hughes was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were tarnished by the Boise Hawks (Rockies), 8-5.

Starter Faustino Carrera had a solid outing, giving up two runs, but only one earned, over four innings. Carrera allowed four hits. He walked two and struck out two.

The loss went to Casey Ryan, who was hammered for four runs on six hits in just one inning of relief. Ryan did not walk or strike anyone out.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez hit a two-run double with two out in the bottom of the ninth to get the game a little closer. Vazquez was 2 for 4.

Second baseman Luis Diaz was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Nico Hoerner did not play tonight, the fourth-straight game he’s missed. He reportedly has a jammed pinky finger.

AZL Cubs

Cubs 1 beat the Padres, 3-1.

Corey Black started this game and pitched an inning in his first action since missing all of 2017 with Tommy John surgery. He struck out two, walked one and didn’t allow any hits.

Cubs 2 were off.