Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 14

Before tonight’s game, I got a chance to talk with Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen. I can report he’s a very nice guy and even better, he’s a very good broadcaster. We had a nice chat about Iowa, Fresno and the I-Cubs. We’re both huge fans of tonight’s I-Cubs starter Adbert Alzolay.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs mauled the Fresno Grizzlies (Nationals), 7-2.

Starter Adbert Alzolay turned in another strong outing for Iowa as he picked up his second win. His line of two runs on eight hits over six innings sounds good, although hardly dominating. But he was pretty dominating as he struck out nine and did not walk anyone.

It’s the fifth-straight start for Alzolay of allowing two runs or less over at least five innings.

Duane Underwood Jr., Junichi Tazawa and Dakota Mekkes each threw a scoreless inning to close out the game. Mekkes got the save. He gave up two hits, but no walks and he struck out one.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone hit an opposite-field solo home run in the eighth inning, his eleventh of the year. Giambrone also had an RBI single in the fifth inning and a bases-loaded walk in the ninth for three total RBI. Giambrone was 3 for 4 with the walk and he scored twice. Giambrone also stole a base.

Shortstop Dixon Machado had a pair of doubles in a 2 for 4 night. He scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Donnie Dewees went 2 for 5 with one run scored.

Jim Adduci was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies lost to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Twins), 5-4 in 11 innings.

Justin Steele came off the injured list tonight to start and throw 3.1 innings of no-hit, no-run baseball. Steele did walk four, but he struck out seven.

Craig Brooks blew a save in the bottom of the ninth which sent the game to extras. He did keep Pensacola from scoring in the tenth, however. Brooks’ final line was one run on one hit over two innings. Brooks struck out four and walked two, although one was intentional.

But after Brooks, the Smokies ran out of pitchers again in the 11th so Christian Donahue came on to pitch again after the Smokies took a 4-3 lead in the top of the inning. He took his second loss in three nights when he gave up a bases-loaded, two-out single in the bottom of the 11th.

The Smokies scored three runs in the top of the first inning and then didn’t score again until the 11th. Center fielder Roberto Caro was 2 for 6 with a triple and a run scored. He stole one base.

DH Ian Rice was 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He had an RBI single and later scored in the first inning.

Shortstop Vimael Machin was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were decoyed by the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 5-4.

Starting pitcher Javier Assad gave up just one run on three hits over four innings. Assad walked three and struck out four.

Tyler Peyton gave up two runs in the top of the ninth and took the loss. The final line on Peyton was two runs on three hits over two innings. Only one of the two runs was earned. Peyton struck out two and did not walk anyone.

After getting shut out in their last two games and losing 1-0 in both of them, second baseman Carlos Sepulveda doubled in the top of the first inning and would eventually come around to score on a Cam Balego sac fly. Sepulveda was 2 for 4 with a double and he was hit by a pitch. Sepulveda scored twice and had one run batted in.

Catcher Miguel Amaya was a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks. He also stole his first base of the season, He had one RBI.

DH Zach Davis was 2 for 5 with his 23rd steal of the year. He scored twice.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs calmed the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 5-3.

Derek Casey pitched the first six innings and got the win. He allowed two runs on three hits, one of which was a home run. The other run was unearned. He struck out five and did not walk anyone.

Eugenio Palma pitched the other three innings for the save. He only allowed one run on one hit, yet another solo home run. Palma struck out four and walked no one.

DH Andy Weber had a huge night, going 4 for 5 with a double and two runs batted in. He scored once.

First baseman Tyler Durna was 3 for 5 with three RBI.

Second baseman Delvin Zinn went 2 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored.

Left fielder Brennen Davis went 2 for 4.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds won their season opener, 1-0 over the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks).

Zach Mort allowed just three hits over four innings. Mort walked three and struck out five.

Eduarniel Nuñez and Carlos Vega each tossed two scoreless innings of relief. The official scorer gave the win to Vega since his two innings were perfect and Nuñez gave up one single. Vega struck out three.

Ivan Medina pitched the ninth inning and got the save. He gave up a leadoff single but then retired the next three batters in order. Medina struck out one.

Both Ems runs scored in the second inning. Jake Slaughter doubled to open the inning and later scored on a balk, meaning that the Ems scored two runs in a row on balks, separated by ten months. Slaughter was 1 for 3

Edmond Americaan was also 1 for 3 with an RBI double.