Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 9

I forgot to write this earlier, but Cubs minor league pitcher Corey Black announced that he had his third Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. He’s vowing that he’ll be back.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost their home opener, 4-3 to the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins).

Starter Duncan Robinson retired nine straight New Orleans batters at one point until a two-run sixth inning. Robinson’s final line on the evening was three runs on five hits over six innings. He walked four and struck out one.

The loss went to Dillon Maples, who unsurprisingly had control issues. In the one inning that Maples threw, he allowed one unearned run on three walks and a hit batter. Even so, the run was unearned after an error by third baseman Phillip Evans. Maples struck out two and did not give up a hit. He threw 30 pitches and only 10 of them were strikes.

Dakota Mekkes threw two scoreless innings to finish out the game.

Center fielder Ian Happ was 2 for 4 with an RBI double and a walk. He also scored one run (see the above photo).

Tennessee Smokies

Travelling to Birmingham.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost the battle of the waterfowl, 5-4 to the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers).

Luis Lugo was strong in his Cubs organization debut. Lugo pitched the first five innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He struck out six and walked just one.

Brendan King also had some control issues. King allowed three runs on two hits and three walks over 1.1 innings. He struck out one.

The loss went to Ben Hecht, who relieved King. He gave up one inherited runner and one run of his own. Hecht pitched 1.2 innings and allowed one hit. He walked one and struck out one batter.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored once and had one run batted in.

Third baseman Luke Reynolds was 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored once.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs sank the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 6-1.

Brailyn Marquez was very good over 3.2 innings before he hit his pitch count. Marquez allowed just one hit and no runs. He did hit two batters and walked two, but he struck out seven. He threw 59 pitches, 37 for strikes.

The win went the Jeffrey Passantino, who allowed just one run on three hits over 3.1 innings. Passantino struck out four and did not walk anyone.

Left fielder D.J. Artis doubled twice in a 2 for 4 game. He also walked once. Artis scored one run.

Second baseman Levi Jordan was 2 for 4. He scored one run and drove one in.

Catcher Eric Gonzalez was 2 for 4. He scored twice and had one run batted in.