Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 12

The I-Cubs are in California and the Emeralds start on Friday, so the days of the Cubs Minor League Wrap posting before midnight central time are mostly over for the year, except on Sundays.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got overpowered by the Fresno Grizzlies (Nationals), 7-6.

Trevor Clifton started and allowed five runs on eight hits over six innings to take the loss. He walked two and struck out three.

James Norwood gave up two runs in one inning of work. One of the runs came on an inside-the-park home run that went down the left field line and underneath the I-Cubs bench in the bullpen. The Iowa pitchers argued that the ball was out-of-play. The umpire disagreed and Wilmer Difo circled the bases. Rowan Wick got ejected for arguing. Wick wasn’t pitching, he was just sitting on the bench that the ball went under.

Iowa staged a comeback in the top of the ninth, scoring three times. The rally was highlighted by a two-out, two-run single by catcher Taylor Davis. Davis was 2 for 5. However, the next batter, Phillip Evans, hit a dying line drive that center fielder Andrew Stevenson made a diving catch on to end the game. Had he missed it, the Cubs would have tied the game and possibly taken the lead.

Second baseman Robel Garcia hit his 17th home run and 11th with Iowa with the bases empty in the sixth inning. Garcia went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored three times.

Right fielder Jacob Hannemann was 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored. He was also hit by a pitch.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies had their line snapped by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Twins), 7-6 in 12 innings.

Starter Oscar De La Cruz allowed four runs on four hits over five innings. Three of those runs came on a three-run home run in the fourth inning. De La Cruz walked four and struck out six.

After Jake Stinnett gave up two runs in the sixth inning, Craig Brooks pitched two perfect innings of relief and then Wyatt Short pitched three scoreless innings, including two in extra innings where the runner started on second base. Brooks struck out four. Short gave up a single in the ninth inning, but no other baserunners. He struck out five.

At that point, the Smokies ran out of pitchers and Clayton Daniel pitched the 12th inning. He retired the first batter on a ground out, but then gave up a game-ending single. At his normal job of hitting, Daniel was 3 for 6. He doubled and scored in the ninth inning to send the game to extras. Daniel scored twice.

Left fielder Jared Young also went 3 for 6 with a double and two runs scored.

Second baseman Vimael Machin went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a walk. He had three RBI.

First baseman Ian Rice was 2 for 5 with a double and one run scored.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were shut out by the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros), 1-0.

Starter Alex Lange had his best start of the year and arguably the best of his career, tying a career-high with seven innings pitched. He gave up a solo home run in the second inning and two hits total. Lange struck out nine and walked two. Naturally, he got the loss.

The Pelicans had three hits tonight, all singles.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs split a doubleheader with the Lansing Lugnuts, losing game one 6-4 in eight innings and winning game two 6-2.

Riley Thompson started game one and allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings. One of the three runs was unearned. Thompson walked two and struck out four.

Ethan Roberts pitched the next three innings and he kept the Lugnuts off the board in the two regularly-scheduled innings. But Roberts gave up three runs in the top of the eighth inning and got the loss. The final line on Roberts was three runs, one earned, on two hits over three innings. Roberts struck out two and did not walk anyone, although he did hit the leadoff batter in the eighth.

Shortstop Andy Weber was 2 for 3 with a walk. He had two RBI and he scored once.

Right fielder Jonathan Sierra was 2 for 4.

In game two, starter Jack Patterson gave up one run on three hits over four innings. He walked one and struck out one.

Jose Albertos got the win in relief because Patterson didn’t go five innings. It was Albertos’ first win since 2017. Albertos allowed one run on one hit and two walks over three innings. He struck out four.

Center fielder Brennen Davis hit a three-run home run in the second inning, his third of the season. Davis was 2 for 3 with four total RBI.

Second baseman Delvin Zinn was 3 for 3 with a stolen base. He scored twice.

First baseman Tyler Durna was 2 for 3.