Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 17

The Rangers have signed recently-released former Cubs pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs split a doubleheader with the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins), losing game one 5-0 and winning the nightcap 7-4.

In the first game, starter Duane Underwood Jr. allowed only two hits in his 5.1 inning start. But the two hits he did allow were a single and a two-run home run to the first two batters he faced. Then Underwood retired 12 straight batters before a leadoff walk in the fifth inning, a runner he later erased with a double play. Then after two walks and one strikeout to lead off the sixth inning, Underwood left for James Norwood, who allowed both runners to score and one more of his own.

I’m saying this to make it clear that Underwood pitched a lot better than his line looks: 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks. Underwood struck out seven.

Underwood also had one of the two hits Iowa had in game one.

Alec Mills was activated before game 2 and he made his first start of the season. Mills gave up just one run on eight hits over four innings. Mills struck out three and did not walk anyone.

The win went to Matt Carasiti because Mills didn’t go five innings. Carasiti pitched 1.1 innings and gave up two hits but no runs. Carasiti struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Catcher Ian Rice was promoted from Tennessee before the game and he made a great first impression, hitting a three-run home run in his first ever Triple-A at-bat in the second inning. Rice was 2 for 4. He scored twice and had the three RBI.

Third baseman Phillip Evans was 2 for 4 with one run batted in.

Wynton Bernard went 2 for 2 with a double. He also scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were forced to retreat before the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 7-6.

It was a good start for Cory Abbott, who surrendered just one run on three hits over 5.2 innings. The one run was a second-inning home run. Abbott struck out seven and walked only one. He did hit one batter.

Manuel Rondon was tasked with protecting a 5-1 lead and he couldn’t, getting rocked for six runs in the seventh inning. The final line on Rondon was six runs, five earned, on four hits and three walks. He struck out one.

Robel Garcia hit a three-run home run in the third inning, his second of the season. Garcia was 1 for 3.

P.J. Higgins was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans snapped a four-game losing streak by unlocking the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 5-3. The Pelicans had lost nine of their last ten games coming into this contest.

Bryan Hudson got his first win of the season after giving up just two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. Hudson walked two and struck out three.

Brian Glowicki got a two-innings save. He allowed just one hit and no runs. Glowicki struck out two and did not walk anyone.

First baseman Cam Balego doubled in the bottom of the first inning two plate two runs and give the Pelicans a 2-1 lead. Balego actually hit two doubles in a 2 for 3 game. Balego scored once, drove in the two and stole one base.

Right fielder Jimmy Herron went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Herron had one RBI and he stole one base.

Left fielder Zach Davis was 2 for 3 with a triple, a walk and a stolen base. He scored once and drove in one.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs plucked the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 2-1.

The big news here was the rehab appearance by Mike Montgomery. Montgomery pitched the first two innings, allowed just one single and struck out four while walking no one. Montgomery threw 27 pitches, 19 for strikes. He looked great. If he feels great in the morning, he’ll probably be in Chicago on Friday.

The win went to Cam Sanders, who threw five scoreless innings and allowed a mere three hits. He did walk three and hit one batter. Sanders struck out four.

Riley McCauley pitched the ninth for the save. He allowed a leadoff walk, but that runner was thrown out trying to steal third. He struck out the other two batters he faced.

Left fielder D.J. Artis hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning that scored Christopher Morel and turned out to be the winning run. Artis was 1 for 2 and also scored the Pelicans’ first run.

DH Delvin Zinn was 2 for 3.

We’ve got highlights.