Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 24

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs silenced the Nashville Sounds (Rangers), 6-4.

It was a strong start for Matt Swarmer, who collected his second win of the year by allowing just one run on two hits over six innings. The one run scored on a Willie Calhoun home run. Swarmer struck out six and walked one.

Carl Edwards Jr. came off the injured list and pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out two.

Third baseman Cristhian Adames hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his second of the season. Adames went 2 for 3 with two walks tonight. He scored once and drove home two.

First baseman Jim Adduci was 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI single. Adduci also had one stolen base.

Center fielder Ian Happ was 2 for 4 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Happ scored in the eighth inning on an RBI single by shortstop Addison Russell, who made his first appearance since his suspension. Russell was 1 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice.

In case you were wondering, the crowd at Principal Park cheered Russell. It wasn’t a wild, enthusiastic round of applause, but it was more than an average I-Cubs hitter usually gets and if anyone was booing, it was drowned out by the applause.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies couldn’t hide from the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 4-3.

Zach Hedges did his part and then some, throwing five scoreless innings and allowing just three hits. Hedges walked one and struck out three.

The loss went to Michael Rucker, who relieved Hedges in the sixth inning and gave up two runs in the seventh and a two-run home run in the eighth. Rucker’s final line was four runs on four hits over three innings. He walked one, hit one batter and struck out four.

All three Tennessee runs came on a three-run home run by Robel Garcia, his fourth of the young season. Garcia was 1 for 5.

Second baseman Christian Donahue was 2 for 5 and scored once.

Shortstop Clayton Daniel was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Jhonny Bethencourt hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans stunned the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), 3-2.

Starter Oscar de la Cruz pitched six innings and allowed just two runs, one earned, on five hits. Most impressively. de la Cruz struck out eight and did not walk anyone. He threw 88 pitches and 61 of them were strikes.

Jesus Camargo pitched the final two innings without allowing a hit or a run and got the win. Camargo walked one and struck out two.

The Pelicans struck for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win this one. Shortstop Aramis Ademan singled home pinch-runner Yeiler Peguero to tie the game. Ademan went 2 for 3 with a triple and a walk.

Bethencourt was 2 for 3 alongside that game-ending sac fly.

Highlights, including Stupid Dog Tricks:

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs stripped the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays), 10-8.

Starter Cam Sanders gave up five runs, four earned, on six hits over four innings. Sanders walked five and struck out two.

Ryan Lawlor pitched much better and got the win. He had three scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit. Lawlor struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Shortstop Delvin Zinn was a perfect 5 for 5 with two doubles and a triple. Zinn scored two runs and drove in two.

DH Nelson Velazquez was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI single. He scored after leading off the fourth inning with the double.

Left fielder D.J. Artis went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Artis scored twice and had one RBI.

First baseman Tyler Durna went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and had one run batted in.

Shortstop Andy Weber was 2 for 5 with an RBI.