Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 6

First night I haven’t watched (almost) any baseball this season, so you’ll have to forgive me. I do have a life outside of baseball. Barely.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were pitch perfect against the Nashville Sounds (Rangers), 10-4.

Matt Swarmer gave up a three-run home run in the fourth inning, but other than that was fairly good in his first start and first win of the season. Swarmer allowed three runs on three hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked three. Swarmer also hit one batter.

Catcher Taylor Davis hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Davis went 1 for 3 with two walks and he scored twice.

Center fielder Ian Happ was 2 for 5 with a double. He had three RBI and he scored once.

Shortstop Dixon Machado was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies snuck past the Mississippi Braves, 4-3.

Keegan Thompson was terrific tonight in his first start of the year. How terrific? He’s yet to allow a hit this year. Thompson no-hit the Braves for five innings, striking out eight. He walked one and also hit one batter.

Jordan Minch blew a save opportunity in the top of the eighth, but the Smokies came retook the lead in the bottom of the inning so Minch got the win. He allowed one run on two hits over one inning of work. Minch did not have a strikeout or a walk.

Craig Brooks pitched the ninth inning and got his second save of the young season. Brooks allowed a one-out double, but he struck out the other three batters he faced.

First baseman Jared Young hit his second home run of the year already, a solo home run in the bottom of the first. Young was 1 for 4 and was intentionally walked once. He scored twice.

Right fielder Eddy Martinez went 2 for 4. He had one RBI and one run scored.

Third baseman P.J. Higgins was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans won their first game of the year, 2-0 over the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians).

The Pelicans pitching staff gave up 11 hits tonight, but no runs. The Hillcats pitching staff allowed just three hits, but two runs.

Starter Paul Richan pitched the first 3.2 innings. He allowed four hits and he walked one. Richan struck out two.

Ryan Kellogg relieved Richan and got the win. He pitched 3.1 innings and surrendered three hits. He struck out four and didn’t walk anyone.

Ben Hecht pitched the final two innings and got the save. He allowed four hits and he walked one. The game ended when Kevonte Mitchell threw out a runner trying to score from second on a single to left field. Hecht struck out three.

The Pelicans didn’t have a hit until the sixth inning. First baseman Wladimir Galindo had the first hit and scored the first run. He was 1 for 2 with a walk. He also stole a base.

Catcher Tyler Payne was 1 for 3 and scored the other run on a passed ball.

Highlights. You can see Mitchell’s throw.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs lost their first game of the year, 3-1 to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers).

Eury Ramos started and got the loss after allowing three runs on four hits over 4.2 innings. All of the damage was done in the fifth inning before he exited. Ramos walked two and struck out three.

Ryan Lawlor pitched the other 3.1 innings without allowing a run. He gave up two hits, walked no one and struck out four.

Third baseman Fidel Mejia was 2 for 4 with the lone run scored. Center fielder Nelson Velazquez was 2 for 4.