Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 15

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs couldn’t dodge the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 10-5.

Starter Duncan Robinson gave up three runs in the first inning, one in the fourth and two more in the fifth to take the loss. The final line on Robinson was six runs on eight hits over 4+ innings. Robinson walked two and struck out three.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone homered again, his third-straight game with a home run and his fourth in five games. Giambrone connected for a two-run home run in the third inning off former Cub Rob Zastryzny. It was his fifth home run of the year. Giambrone was 3 for 5 with a double and a stolen base in addition to the home run.

Center fielder Ian Happ homered with a man on in the fifth inning, his first of the year. Happ went 2 for 5 with a double and he scored twice.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies accepted the surrender of the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 6-2.

Starter Tyson Miller continued the string of strong pitching from Smokies starters by allowing just one run on just two hits over five innings. Miller struck out five and walked one.

The win went to Jordan Minch, who allowed the tying run in sixth inning to score but then pitched a perfect seventh. Minch’s final line was one run on two hits over two innings. He struck out one and did not walk anyone.

Bailey Clark had a two-inning save without allowing a baserunner. He struck out one.

Third baseman Robel Garcia gave the Smokies an early lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. It was his first home run in the Cubs organization. Heck, it’s his first home run in North America since 2013. Robel was 1 for 3.

Shortstop Nico Hoerner went 3 for 4 and scored two runs.

Left fielder Jared Young was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were solved by the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 9-3. The loss drops the Pelicans to 2-10, the only Cubs affiliate with a losing record.

Starter Luis Lugo took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out three.

Catcher Miguel Amaya got the Pelicans off to a good start with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. It was his second home run of the year. Amaya was 1 for 5.

The Pelicans other run came on a home run by left fielder Kevonte Mitchell in the sixth inning. It was also his second home run this year. Mitchell went 1 for 4.

Shortstop Jhonny Bethencourt had a pair of doubles in a 2 for 3 game. He also walked once.

Highlights. At least you can see the Amaya blast—and it was a blast.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs clipped the wings of the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 6-5.

Brailyn Marquez started and gave up two runs on three hits over four innings. Both runs scored on a two-run home run by Loons’ DH Niko Hulsizer. Marquez struck out six and walked two.

The win went to Faustino Carrera, despite Carrera giving up two more home runs to Hulsizer. Carrera pitched three innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits. He struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Ethan Roberts pitched the ninth inning and got his third save. Roberts allowed only one baserunner, who reached first base on a strikeout/wild pitch combo. That was Roberts’ only strikeout.

First baseman Tyler Durna broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-run double. It was his second double of the game. Durna was 2 for 4.

Left fielder D.J. Artis went 2 for 3 with a double, two walks and a stolen base. Artis scored twice.

Shortstop Delvin Zinn was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. He scored once.

DH Nelson Velazquez went 2 for 2 with a triple.