Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 1

Don’t forget to vote for the BCB Minor League Player of the Month award. The winner will be announced in tomorrow night’s wrap.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs swept a doubleheader from the San Antonio Missions (Brewers), 6-1 and 3-2.

Game one was all the Colin Rea show. The Iowa native allowed just one hit and no runs over five innings. Rea walked two and struck out three. Also, he hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, which was his first professional home run.

Left fielder Donnie Dewees was 1 for 4 with a two-run infield single in the second inning.

In game two, starter Trevor Clifton allowed his first earned runs on the season but also picked up his first win of the season. Clifton was masterful, allowing two runs on two hits over five innings. He struck out eight and did not walk anyone.

Randy Rosario pitched the seventh inning and got the save. Rosario gave up a two-out single, but he struck out the other three batter he faced.

Right fielder Johnny Field had a big game, going 2 for 3 with two doubles. He scored Iowa’s first run after his first double and he drove in Iowa’s other two runs with the other double.

Ian Happ was 0 for 4 between the two games today, but it should be noted that he has not struck out in his last 21 trips to the plate.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies snuck past the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 3-2 in ten innings.

Tyson Miller turned in a terrific start tonight and the Smokies nearly wasted it. Miller allowed just two hits over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out nine and walked just one.

The Smokies were one out away from winning when closer Craig Brooks gave up a game-tying solo home run to Daulton Varsho in the top of the ninth. Jordan Minch pitched the top of the tenth and he allowed the runner that started the inning the inning to score, putting the Smokies down 2-1. The final line on Minch was one unearned run on one hit over one inning. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

The Smokies were down to their final out in the bottom of the tenth with runners on second and third when right fielder Roberto Caro hit a broken-bat bloop single into shallow left field. That scored both runs and the Smokies won in a walkoff. Caro was 1 for 5.

Center fielder Connor Myers was 1 for 3 with a double and a key steal of second in the tenth, allowing him to score on the Caro bloop.

Catcher Jhonny Pereda went 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were captured by the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 8-3. It was the Pelicans’ 7th-straight loss.

Starter Erling Moreno gave up two runs in the first inning and five in the third. Moreno’s final line was seven runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out four, walked three and hit one batter. He also pretty much took one for the bullpen for as long as he could. He ended up throwing 92 pitches.

Right fielder Jimmy Herron went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs split a doubleheader with the Burlington Bees (Angels), losing game one 2-1 and winning the second one 2-0.

Starter Cam Sanders allowed one run on four hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked just one.

Ryan Lawlor relieved Sanders and gave up a walkoff single in the bottom of the seventh. Lawlor allowed one unearned run on one hit over 1.2 innings. He struck out three and walked two, one intentionally.

Center fielder Cole Roederer was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in game one.

Derek Casey started and pitched four scoreless innings. He gave up three hits. Casey walked two and struck out five.

Jack Patterson pitched the final three innings without allowing a run or a hit. He also got the win because Casey didn’t throw five innings. Patterson struck out six and walked just one.

Catcher Rafelin Lorenzo scored the first run of the game on an Andy Weber sac fly in the fifth inning. He added on an insurance run with an RBI double in the sixth inning. Lorenzo was 2 for 3.

Left fielder D.J. Artis was 2 for 4.