Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 4

I spent a needed day with my family today. I did get to see Javy’s game-winning home run. I’m kind of sad that I wasn’t watching when Taylor Davis hit that grand slam. I’ve been following Davis since he was in Peoria in 2012 and it was really great to see him have a moment like that.

I’m also kind of giddy about how good the I-Cubs seem to be this season. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2008, which was the second year I was doing this.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs brought the thunder to the Omaha Storm Chasers (Rangers), 6-1.

Duane Underwood Jr. turned in a terrific start for his second win of the season. Underwood allowed just one unearned run on eight hits over 6.1 innings. Underwood struck out six and did not walk anyone.

Shortstop Dixon Machado hit his fourth home run of the season in the sixth inning with the bases empty. Machado went 2 for 4.

First baseman Trent Giambrone hit two doubles in a 2 for 3 game. Giambrone also walked twice. He scored once and had one RBI.

Third baseman Phillip Evans was 3 for 5 with a double. He had one run batted in and he scored once.

Left fielder Donnie Dewees was 3 for 5 and scored once.

Center fielder Ian Happ was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. He was also hit by a pitch.

It was Iowa’s fifth-straight win. They are now 19-10 with a 2 ¹⁄₂ game lead in their division. Iowa’s magic number dropped to 110.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies outmaneuvered the Jackson Generals (Diamondbacks), 6-3.

Starter Corey Abbott gave up two solo home runs to top D-Backs prospect Jazz Chisholm, but those were the only two runs he allowed over 6.2 innings, so he got the win. Abbott allowed four hits but he did not walk anyone and he struck out seven.

Craig Brooks struck out the side in order in the ninth for his fifth save.

Third baseman Robel Garcia hit a three-run home run in the third inning It was his team-leading sixth home run of the year. Garcia was 2 for 4.

Left fielder Jared Young was 1 for 4 with a two-run single and an RBI groundout to account for the other three runs.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans rinsed the Salem Red Sox, 3-2. That’s two wins in a row, which is kind of big for the Pelicans, who are now 9-21 on the season.

Alex Lange was terrific as he did not allow a hit or a run over five innings. Lange did walk four while striking out seven.

Jake Stinnett gave up the first hit of the game for Salem in the seventh inning. He allowed two unearned runs that inning.

Tommy Nance threw the final two innings without allowing a run for the save. He did give up two hits. Nance struck out two and walked no one.

The Pelicans had but two hits in this game, but one of them was a three-run home run by third baseman Luke Reynolds, his first of the season. He was 1 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were chopped down to size by the Clinton Lumber Kings (Marlins), 4-3.

Riley Thompson started and took the loss. He gave up four runs on four hits, but only one of the four runs was earned. Thompson struck out eight and walked two.

Lumber Kings pitchers struck out 18 South Bend Cubs tonight.

DH Nelson Velazquez hit his first Midwest League home run with the bases empty in the fourth inning. Velazquez was 1 for 4.

Catcher Eric Gonzalez was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.