Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 26

Iowa Cubs

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

Colin Rea had his worst start of the year, giving up nine runs on nine hits over 5+ innings. Two of those hits were home runs. He walked four and struck out two.

Iowa hit three solo home runs of their own, one each in the second, third and fourth innings. Catcher P.J. Higgins hit a solo home run in the second inning. It was his seventh home run this year and second for Iowa. Higgins went 1 for 4 with a walk.

In the third inning, third baseman Phillip Evans hit a solo home run, his 13th this year. Evans went 2 for 5.

In the fourth inning, first baseman Dixon Machado hit his 13th home run of the year. Machado had a big night, going 4 for 6 and he scored twice.

Right fielder Mark Zagunis was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. He scored two runs and drove in one.

Left fielder Donnie Dewees was 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies lost their eighth-straight game, 7-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays).

Erick Leal started and got the loss. He gave up five runs on 12 hits (two home runs) over six innings. Leal walked one and struck out three.

Shortstop Vimael Machin went 1 for 4 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost to the Salem Red Sox, 6-5.

Jeffrey Passantino pitched the first five innings and gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. All three runs scored on a home run in the first inning. Passantino struck out six and walked two.

Reliever Chad Hockin balked in both the eighth and ninth innings, leading to runs in both innings and the loss. Hockin’s final line was one run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning. He balked in an inherited runner from third in the eighth inning. Hockin walked two and struck out one.

Right fielder Kevonte Mitchell hit a two-run home run in the third inning. Mitchell went 1 for 3.

Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He scored one run.

Center fielder Delvin Zinn and left fielder Grant Fennell both went 2 for 4. Both had one RBI and one run scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were capsized by the Lake County Captains (Indians), 6-4.

The Captains scored three runs in the top of the first inning off of starter Faustino Carrera and the Cubs never caught up. Carrera’s final line was five runs on six hits over five innings. Carrera walked one and struck out five.

Left fielder D.J. Artis went 3 for 5 with two doubles. He was also hit by a pitch. Artis scored two runs and had one RBI.

First baseman Luke Reynolds went 2 for 3 with two walks.

DH Rafelin Lorenzo went 2 for 4 with a walk.

Second baseman Rafael Narea 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored once.

Right fielder Jonathan Sierra went 2 for 5.

South Bend had 14 hits tonight but went 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were buried by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 3-2.

Chris Clarke pitched the first two innings and did not allow a run. He did allow four hits. Clarke struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Maikel Aguilar gave up three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and took the loss. Aguilar allowed three runs on two hits and three walks over 2.1 innings. He also hit one batter. Aguilar struck out three.

Both of the Ems runs scored on a two-run home run by first baseman Grayson Byrd in the top of the fourth inning. It was Byrd’s first home run for Eugene and his second as a professional. Byrd was 2 for 4.

DH Nelson Maldonado went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored on Byrd’s home run.

Left fielder Darius Hill went 3 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Cubs 1 beat Athletics Gold, 12-9.

Cubs 2 lost to the Diamondbacks, 8-3.

The Cubs 2 game was played at Chase Field, making it the first Arizona League game played at Chase Field. That was an awfully nice treat for those rookies.