Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 22

The Cubs released three players over the past two weeks. Left-handed pitcher Alberto Baldonado and right-handers Dalton Geekie and Ryan Williams were all released. Williams was the Cubs’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2015 but he’s been battling shoulder injuries since then.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs swept a doubleheader with the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 5-3 and 6-3.

Adbert Alzolay had his best start of the season in game one and it resulted in his first win. Alzolay allowed just one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked no one.

Junichi Tazawa pitched another scoreless inning of relief, although he did give up a walk and a single after two were out. He struck out one.

Randy Rosario got into trouble in the ninth inning, giving up a two-run home run. After allowing another single and getting a strikeout for the second out, he exited with a man on second and the tying run at the plate. Dillon Maples struck out the only batter he faced for the save.

All five Iowa runs in game one came on home runs. Third baseman Robel Garcia hit his ninth of the season and third with Iowa with the bases empty in the second inning. Garcia was 2 for 3 and scored twice.

Iowa took the lead for good when first baseman Jim Adduci connected for a three-run home run in the fourth inning. It was Adduci’s fifth home run this year. He was 1 for 3.

Finally, catcher Taylor Davis tacked on an insurance run with his second home run of the year in the fifth inning. (Third homer if you count the grand slam at Wrigley against the Cardinals) Davis was 1 for 3 in game one.

In game two, Colin Rea pitched the first five innings and got the win. He gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings. Rea walked four and struck out three.

Matt Carasiti pitched the other two innings without allowing a run for the save. Carasiti allowed one hit. He struck out two and walked no one.

Game two was all about Ian Happ, who was a perfect 4 for 4 with two doubles and a two-run home run. It was Happ’s sixth home run of the season. Happ scored twice and drove in five of Iowa’s six runs.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies speared the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Twins), 9-3.

Oscar De La Cruz started and got the win after allowing three runs on eight hits over five innings. De La Cruz walked two and struck out four. He hit one batter.

The Blue Wahoos died a death of a thousand cuts tonight as the Smokies had 12 hits tonight and all of them were singles. They also walked nine times and reached once on a hit by pitch. Everyone in the starting lineup except Jhonny Pereda had at least one hit and Pereda walked twice.

Shortstop Vimael Machin had three RBI singles tonight. He was 4 for 5 with one run scored and the three RBI.

First baseman Jared Young was 2 for 5 with three RBI.

Right fielder Roberto Caro was a perfect 1 for 1 with four walks. He scored three times and also stole one base.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were locked up by the Frederick Keys (Orioles), 8-2.

Starter Alex Lange was terrific over the first five innings, giving up no runs on just two hits. Then he came out to pitch the sixth inning and he got into trouble, loading the bases after two were out. Lange then exited for Brian Glowicki, who not only allowed all three inherited runners to score, but two more runs of his own before getting the third out.

The final line on Lange three runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. Lange walked three and struck out six.

Left fielder Grant Fennell was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the ninth inning.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were cored by the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 3-1.

South Bend wasted a terrific start from Peyton Remy, which was his first start of the season. Remy tossed five scoreless innings and surrendered just three hits. He walked one and struck out five.

Zach Mort threw the other three innings and got the loss. Mort allowed a two-run home run in the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie and another run in the seventh. Mort’s final line was three runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out one.

DH Tyler Durna had an RBI single in the seventh inning. He was 2 for 3 with a double.

Shortstop Andy Weber was 2 for 4.