Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 14

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were run over by the Round Rock Express (Astros), 10-8 in ten innings.

Starter Matt Swarmer allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings. All four runs scored on home runs—a three-run home run in the first and a solo home run in the fifth. Swarmer walked two and struck out four.

After the Cubs scored three runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game, James Norwood came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He kept Round Rock from scoring to send the game into extras. But after Iowa scored one run in the top of the tenth, Norwood gave up a three-run walk-off home run with no outs in the bottom of the tenth. The final line on Norwood was three runs, two earned, on two hits over 1+ innings. Norwood walked two and struck out one.

Shortstop Zack Short hit a three-run home run in the second inning, his first home run this season. Short went 2 for 5 and he scored twice.

DH P.J. Higgins hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was Higgins’ sixth homer this year and first with Iowa. Higgins went 1 for 2 with two walks and a sacrifice fly in the top of the tenth. Higgins scored two times and he had the two RBI.

Third baseman Phillip Evans had an RBI double in the top of the ninth that scored Mark Zagunis and tied the game. Evans was 3 for 5.

Zagunis went 2 for 5 with a two-run single in the top of the ninth.

First baseman Jim Adduci went 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Ian Happ went 1 for 3 with two walks and one runs scored. Also no strikeouts.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies burned the Mobile BayBears (Angels), 6-1.

Thomas Hatch pitched the first two innings of this game and did not allow a run or a hit. He struck out two and walked two. (I do not know why Hatch only threw two innings. He did not appear to be hurt, nor did there appear to be any hugs.)

The win went to Luis Lugo, who also pitched two innings without allowing a run or a hit. Lugo did walk one batter and he hit one batter. Lugo struck out one.

DH Charcer Burks went 2 for 3 with a walk. Burks scored twice and had two RBI.

Left fielder Zach Davis had a weird line. Davis went 0 for 3 with a walk and four runs scored. He also stole three bases. Davis reached once on an error and twice grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans split a doubleheader with the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians), losing game one 6-1 and winning the second one 3-2.

Ryan Kellogg started game one and took the loss after he allowed six runs on ten hits over 4.2 innings. Kellogg walked two and struck out three.

DH Tyler Payne went 2 for 3.

Paul Richan threw a seven-inning complete game in game two. Richan gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out six.

Center fielder Jimmy Herron hit a two-run home run in the third inning to tie the game 2-2. It was Herron’s fourth home run this season. Herron went 1 for 3.

Shortstop Delvin Zinn went 2 for 3.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were robbed by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Astros), 6-4.

Starter Riley Thompson took the loss after surrendering five runs, all in the fourth inning. The final line on Thompson was five runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. Thompson walked four and struck out three. He also hit one batter.

Shortstop Andy Weber went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Center fielder Cole Roederer went 1 for 2 along with two walks and a stolen base. He scored once.

In his South Bend debut, second baseman Yonathan Perlaza went 2 for 3 with a walk and one run batted in.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds clipped the wings of the Boise Hawks (Rockies), 6-0.

Starter Chris Clarke was perfect in the two innings he pitched. The fourth-round pick struck out one.

The win went to Chris Kachmar because Clarke didn’t go five innings. Kachmar threw three scoreless innings, surrendering three hits. He struck out two and walked one.

Blake Whitney tossed three innings and Riley McCauley threw one to complete the shutout.

Second baseman Chase Strumpf hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth, his second as a professional. Strumpf went 2 for 5.

Center fielder Fernando Kelli went 3 for 5 with a stolen base. Kelli scored twice and had one run batted in.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez went 2 for 4 with a double and one run scored.

Catcher Caleb Knight went 2 for 4 with a triple.

AZL Cubs

Off day for both teams.