Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 11

The Cubs released Jen-Ho Tseng today. Tseng was the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year twice, in 2014 and 2017, but he stalled out in Triple-A and was not effective in two short major league stints.

Elsewhere for Iowa, infielders Cristhian Adames and Zack Short were placed on the IL. Short is going to see a hand specialist after getting hit by a fastball on Tuesday. The Cubs are not optimistic about what the doctor is going to say. Replacing the two are infielder VImael Machin, who was promoted from Tennessee and outfielder Wynton Bernard, who was activated off the IL. Additionally, pitcher Alberto Baldonado was activated off the IL. He’ll take Tim Collins’ roster spot.

For the Pelicans, outfielder Zach Davis goes to Myrtle Beach as Grant Fennell hits the IL. RHP Garrett Kelly also joins the Birds as Ryan Kellogg goes back to Extended Spring Training.

Iowa Cubs

Shortstop Dixon Machado hit a walkoff solo home run as the I-Cubs spanked the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), 5-4.

Duane Underwood Jr. started and allowed a walk and three singles to the first four batters he faced. After a mound visit, he settled down and allowed just one more hit and one more walk the rest of the way. Underwood’s final line was 4.2 innings pitched, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out six.

James Norwood blew a save after a walk, wild pitch and two-out single in the top of the ninth. But he got the win after Machado’s home run. Norwood’s final line was one run on one hit and one walk over one inning. He struck out one, of course.

Machado had the big day, going 3 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

The I-Cubs took a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning when second baseman Trent Giambrone connected on a three-run home run. It was his second home run of the young season. Giambrone was 1 for 3.

Right fielder Johnny Field went 2 for 4. He tripled and scored Iowa’s first run in the fifth inning. He also scored on the GIambrone home run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were subjugated by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 5-1.

The Smokies wasted a terrific start from Thomas Hatch, who did not allow a hit over five scoreless innings. Hatch walked one and struck out five. Over two five inning starts this season, Hatch has yet to allow a run.

It was a night to forget for Jordan Minch. He came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth and allowed five runs on four hits ond two walks over two-thirds of an inning. Minch did not strike anyone out.

The Smokies’ lone run came on Jared Young’s third home run of the season. Young was 1 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were pecked by the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros), 3-2.

Bryan Hudson threw the first five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Both runs came on two-run homer in the top of the first inning. Hudson walked two and struck out five.

Garrett Kelly tossed two perfect innings of relief in his season debut, striking out two.

Manuel Rodriguez took the loss after allowing an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning. Rodriguez tossed two innings and allowed one run on two hits. He struck out four and did not walk anyone.

The Pelicans two runs came on a two-run home run by shortstop Aramis Ademan in the seventh inning. Ademan went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda was 2 for 4 and scored on the Ademan home run.

Highlights. Be sure to check out the terrific play on defense that Ademan made as well.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs decoyed the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 3-2.

Cam Sanders allowed no runs and only one hit over the first five innings. Sanders did walk four batters and he struck out three.

The win went to Peyton Remy, who allowed one run on three hits over 2.1 innings. Remy walked two and struck out three.

Ethan Roberts relieved Remy with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and South Bend leading 2-1. He got a grounder to first and a force out at the plate for the second out and a strikeout to end the threat. He then pitched the ninth for the save. The final line on Roberts was no runs and no hits over 1.2 innings. Roberts walked one and struck out two.

Second baseman Levi Jordan was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI single in the eighth inning to add a critical insurance run.

Highlights. Be aware that this was a Loons home game, so the highlights are geared towards the Loons. But you do get to see all the crucial hits by the Cubs.