Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 7

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs won their eighth-straight game, 8-5 over the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals). Iowa now has a record of 22-14 on the year and a five-game lead in their division.

Starter Alec Mills gave up a grand slam to Adolis Garcia in the third inning. His final line was four runs on three hits over 3.2 innings. Mills walked four and struck out four.

Dakota Mekkes was awarded the win in relief after Iowa struck for four runs in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead. Redbirds catcher Joe Hudson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth off Mekkes, the only run and only hit Mekkes gave up. Mekkes struck out one and walked one over 1.1 innings.

The save went to Randy Rosario, but not until after he loaded the bases with one out on three singles in the bottom of the ninth. The final line on Rosario was no runs on three hits over one inning. He did not walk or strike anyone out.

Pinch-hitter Wynton Bernard hit a bases-loaded triple in the eighth inning to give the I-Cubs the lead for the first time. He then scored a fourth run in the inning on a squeeze by Jacob Hannemann. Bernard stayed in the game and was 1 for 2.

Iowa had five hits in this game to Memphis’ ten, which included two home runs. But the I-Cubs walked eight times and were 3 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were blinded by the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 8-5.

Really rough start tonight for Justin Steele. Steele gave up two hits in the first inning, but got out of without allowing any runs. He got hammered for seven runs in the second and didn’t make it out of the inning.

The final line on Steele was seven runs on eight hits over 1.2 innings. Steele walked two and struck out only one.

Second baseman Vimael Machin was 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles. He had one run batted in and he scored once, both in the top of the first inning.

Right fielder Roberto Caro went 2 for 5 with a double. He also scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had one run batted in.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans stuffed the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 4-3. It’s the Pelicans fourth-straight win, coming immediately after an eight-game losing streak.

Starter Erling Moreno gave up just one run on four hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out two and did not walk anyone.

Ben Hecht pitched the ninth inning and had a rough start, but he settled down and got the save. Hecht allowed one run on two hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out one.

Shortstop Aramis Ademan was 2 for 3 with an RBI single and a walk.

Third baseman Jhonny Bethencourt went 2 for 4 and also had an RBI single in the fourth.

Each team had two outfield assists in this game. One by right fielder Jimmy Herron in the ninth inning greatly helped Hecht get the save.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were detasseled by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 8-5.

Starter Cam Sanders allowed five runs on six hits over five innings. Two of the five runs were unearned. Sanders walked four and struck out four.

The loss went to Riley McCauley, who ran into big control issues in the eighth inning. McCauley surrendered three runs on one hit and four walks over two-thirds of an inning. He threw 33 pitches and only 12 were strikes.

Right fielder Jonathan Sierra had a three-run double in the third inning. He was 2 for 4 with two doubles.

Third baseman Christopher Morel was 2 for 4 and scored once. Morel also stole a base.

A rehabbing Victor Caratini played five innings and was 1 for 3 with an RBI single. He also scored once.