Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 1

It’s June already? The draft is just two days away.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were outrun by the Round Rock Express (Astros), 2-1 in ten innings.

Adbert Alzolay was absolutely dominating tonight. Alzolay allowed just one hit and one walk, both in the first inning. He retired 16 straight hitters after the walk in the first inning. He struck out eight and walked just one over six scoreless innings.

Round Rock’s AJ Reed greeted the first pitch Randy Rosario threw in the eighth inning with a game-tying home run. Matt Carasiti took the loss in the tenth when he gave up a run after Iowa failed to score in the top of the inning. His final line was one unearned run on one hit over 1.1 innings. Carasiti walked three and did not strike anyone out.

Iowa had just three hits tonight. Phillip Evans was 1 for 2 with two walks and he scored the lone Iowa run on a Jacob Hannemann sac fly.

Carlos Gonzalez went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in his Cubs debut.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies chipped the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers), 7-6 in ten innings.

Starter Cory Abbott pitched five innings and allowed four runs on eight hits. One of the four runs was unearned. Abbott struck out seven and walked one. He also hit one batter.

Craig Brooks pitched the ninth and tenth innings without allowing a run to get the win. Brooks did not surrender any hits, although he did walk two. One walk was intentional. Brooks struck out three.

The Smokies scored five runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by center fielder Charcer Burks. It was Burks’ second home run of the year. Burks was 2 for 4 with four total RBI. He scored on a fielder’s choice in the top of the tenth with what proved to be the winning run.

Right fielder Roberto Caro was 2 for 5 with two runs scored.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans impeached the Potomac Nationals, 7-2.

Paul Richan started and allowed two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven and did not walk anyone.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning, his ninth of the year. The nine home runs put him in a three-way tie for the Carolina League lead. Mitchell was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Second baseman Aramis Ademan was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Ademan scored one run and had one RBI.

First baseman Grant Fennell was 2 for 4 with a double. He also had one RBI and scored once.

DH Tyler Payne went 2 for 5 with one run scored.

Highlights:

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs slew the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 2-1.

Derek Casey gave up one hit, a home run to lead off the fourth inning. Casey got the win after six innings of work. He walked one and struck out four.

Jose Albertos was good in 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out three. He did only have 16 strikes in 31 pitches, which isn’t that good but certainly a good sign for him that he only walked one.

Eugenio Palma got the save after pitching the final 1.1 innings. Palma allowed just one baserunner, a one-out walk in the ninth. Palma struck out one.

Left fielder Brennan Davis hit his first professional home run with the bases empty in the fourth. Davis went 2 for 4.

South Bend’s other run also came on a solo home run, this one from Rafelin Lorenzo in the sixth inning. It was Lorenzo’s second home run of the year. Lorenzo was 1 for 4.

Here’s video of Davis’ home run.