Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 21

Still no hugging.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs muted the Nashville Sounds (Rangers), 8-4.

Trevor Clifton allowed a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, but then he settled down and collected his first win since June 29 (and his eighth of the season). Clifton’s final line was three runs on three hits over five innings. He walked two but didn’t strike anyone out.

Dillon Maples deserves a mention for a clutch performance. He entered the game with runners on second and third and one out in the seventh inning and Iowa leading 6-4. He got out of that inning with no runs allowed and then struck out the side in the eighth. He struck out four of the five batters he faced and no one reached against him.

Shortstop Zack Short hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, his fourth on the year (in just 20 games). Short went 2 for 3 and scored three times. He was also hit in the hand in the eighth inning. He stayed in the game and eventually scored an insurance run that inning, but we’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow.

Right fielder Johnny Field had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Field had two RBI and he scored once.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

First baseman Erick Castillo went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI.

Iowa had eight hits in this game, all from the bottom four hitters in the lineup.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies submitted to the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 7-6.

Starter Erick Leal was forced into service when Cory Abbott was a late scratch. (I caution there could be a lot of reasons for this.) Leal allowed six runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. Two of those hits were home runs in the fourth inning. Leal struck out eight and walked three.

The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth when Wyatt Short gave up a one-out double and a walkoff single to the next batter. Short’s final line was one run on two hits in a third of an inning. He struck out one.

Catcher Jhonny Pereda went 3 for 5 with a double and one run scored.

Center fielder Zach Davis went 2 for 5 with two steals.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

So the Pelicans were beating the Salem Red Sox 6-1 after seven innings when the lights went out at TicketReturn.com Field. They’ll finish the game on Monday before the regularly scheduled game.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs split a doubleheader with the Beloit Snappers (Athletics), losing game one 4-3 and winning game two 5-1.

In game one, Brenden Little pitched the first 4.2 innings and he gave up two runs on three hits over 4.2 innings. Little struck out five, but he walked four and hit one batter.

Brian Glowicki entered the game in the bottom of the seventh with the Cubs leading 3-2, but the only batter he retired was a game-ending walk-off sacrifice fly. The final line on Glowicki was two runs on two hits in a third of an inning. One of the runs was unearned because of catcher’s interference.

Catcher Eric Gonzalez was 2 for 3 and scored once

Left fielder D.J. Artis was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and one run scored.

Right fielder Jonathan Sierra had a two-run single in the third inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk.

In game two, starter Cam Sanders dominated Beloit with five scoreless innings. Sanders allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four. It was his fifth win of the year.

Artis went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks in game two. He scored twice and had one run batted in.

Shortstop Rafael Narea went 2 for 3 and scored one run.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds fell on their face against the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks), 5-2.

Starter Zach Mort took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, giving up a single with one out and a man on first in the seventh. After the hit, he left the game. Mort had faced the minimum through six innings with the one walk he had issued being erased by a double play. Mort’s final line was two runs on one hit over 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out six.

Mort was charged with two runs because reliever John Pomeroy allowed both of those runners to score in the seventh and then he gave up two more runs of his own in the eighth. Pomeroy took the loss after being charged with two runs on two hits over 1.1 innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Left fielder Edmond Americaan went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

AZL Cubs

Cubs 1 were beating Brewers Blue, 7-2 in the eighth inning.

Cubs 2 were also beating Brewers Gold, 7-2 in the eighth inning.