Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 5

The Cubs announced today that outfielder Jacob Hannemann has been released. We wish Hannemann nothing but good luck going forward.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs out-slugged the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 9-8.

Tyson Miller made his Triple-A debut and it did not go well. Miller gave up six runs in only 1.1 innings. Miller allowed just three hits, but one of those hits was a grand slam in the second inning. Miller walked three and struck out three. One of the six runs he allowed was unearned.

Some credit should be given to Matt Swarmer, who kept the I-Cubs in the game by allowing just one run on four hits over five innings. He struck out four and did not walk anyone. It was Swarmer’s first relief appearance since August 2, 2017 when he was pitching for South Bend.

The win went to Junichi Tazawa, who pitched a scoreless top of the eighth inning. Tazawa gave up a two-out walk, but no other baserunners. He struck out one.

Dillon Maples pitched the ninth inning and got the save. He allowed a one-out single, but other than that he was dominating, striking out three. Maples threw 13 pitches in the ninth and 12 of them were strikes.

The I-Cubs scored two runs after two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead. Trent Giambrone had an RBI single, scoring Zack Short. Giambrone then stole second base and scored on a Donnie Dewees single.

Short was 1 for 3 with two walks

Giambrone went 1 for 4 with a walk and the stolen base. He scored twice.

Dewees was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Center fielder Ian Happ hit two home runs tonight and both of them were mammoth blasts. The first came with a man on in the bottom of the first inning. The second one was just one inning later and was with the bases empty. Happ was 2 for 3 with two walks. He now has 13 home runs on the season.

Right fielder Mark Zagunis went back-to-back with Happ in the second inning, his third home run of the season. Zagunis was 2 for 5.

Second baseman Dixon Machado tied the game up 7-7 with a two-run home run in the third inning. It was Machado’s tenth home run of the year. Machado went 1 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and had the two RBI.

Third baseman Phillip Evans went 2 for 5 and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were greased by the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 6-5 in ten innings.

Starter Alexander Vargas allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings. Vargas walked three and did not strike anyone out.

After the Smokies failed to score in the top of the tenth, Bailey Clark pitched the bottom of the tenth and took the loss. Clark faced two batters. He struck out the first one. Then the runner who started the inning on second base stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Shortstop Nico Hoerner hit a two-run home run in the third inning, his third of the year. Hoerner also hit an RBI triple in the fifth inning. Hoerner was 2 for 5. He scored twice and had three RBI.

First baseman Jared Young went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He singled home Hoerner in the fifth.

Third baseman Gioskar Amaya went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

DH Charcer Burks went 2 for 5.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were scratched by the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians), 4-3.

Starter Jack Patterson pitched reasonably well, allowing no runs and just one hit over four innings. Patterson did walk three while striking out four. He also hit two batters.

The loss went to reliever Manuel Rondon, who allowed two runs on two hits over 1.2 innings. Rondon struck out two and did not walk anyone.

Left fielder Kevonte Mitchell hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his tenth on the year. Mitchell was 1 for 4.

Center fielder Jimmy Herron went 2 for 4 with a double and one run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs beat the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 5-1.

Faustino Carrera started and got the win after allowing just one run on five hits over six innings. He struck out seven and did not walk anyone.

Third baseman Christopher Morel hit a solo home run in the second inning, his sixth on the year. Morel went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in.

Second baseman Clayton Daniel was 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI.

Left fielder Brennen Davis went 2 for 4.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds were polished off by the Everett AquaSox (Mariners), 10-4.

Starter Didier Vargas took the loss after he surrendered six runs on five hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He also hit one batter. Vargas struck out one.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning. It was his second home run this year and first for Eugene. Vazquez went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Fernando Kelli went 2 for 5 with a double and a triple. Kelli scored once and had one RBI.

DH Nelson Maldonado went 2 for 4 with an RBI in his Eugene debut.

First baseman Grayson Byrd went 2 for 4 with a double in his Ems debut. Byrd scored once.

AZL Cubs

Cubs 1 beat Padres 1, 9-3.

Cubs 2 beat Indians Red, 8-4.

Josue Huma hit two home runs for Cubs 2.