Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 18

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs defeated the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 6-5 in ten innings.

The Cubs signed Mike Hauschild two days ago and he made his Cubs system debut tonight. Hauschild allowed a home run to Tomás Telis in the bottom of the first inning for the only run he gave up tonight. Hauschild’s final line was one run on four hits over 2.2 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

Jake Jewell pitched the seventh and eight inning and retired all six batters he faced, three tomes by a strikeout.

Kyle Ryan pitched the bottom of the ninth and got the win. He allowed no hits but walked two, one intentionally after balking the first one to second. Ryan struck out one.

After Ian Miller scored on a wild pitch in the top of the tenth, Trevor Megill performed a high-wire act and got the save. Megill loaded the bases with no one out on a single and a walk (plus the ghost runner). He then struck out the next two batters and got a soft line-out to second base to end the game.

Right fielder Trayce Thompson connected for a solo home run in the second inning. It was Thompson’s seventh home run this season. Thompson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

In the top of the seventh, catcher Tony Wolters connected for a three-run home run to cut the Saints lead to 5-4. It was Wolters’s first home run this year.

With two outs and Vance Vizcaino on third in the top of the ninth, Wolters hit a slow dribbler in front of the plate for an RBI infield single to tie the game. Wolters was 2 for 4 with the four RBI tonight.

First baseman Nick Martini was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies stopped the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 6-3.

Erich Uelmen became the first Smokies pitcher to win a game all year tonight as he pitched five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out two. He did hit three batters.

After retiring the side in order in the eighth inning, Wyatt Short couldn’t get anyone out in the ninth. After allowing a run on a single, a double and a walk, Short exited with two on and nobody out in the ninth for Manuel Rodriguez. Rodriguez got a ground out and then a 4-6-3 double play to get the save on eight pitches.

Third baseman Chase Strumpf made the score 6-2 with a two-run opposite field home run in the fifth inning. It was Strumpf’s second home run of the year. He was 1 for 4.

Second baseman Carlos Sepulveda went 2 for 3 with a walk. He had an RBI single in the third inning and scored on a sac fly in the fifth.

DH Nelson Maldonado was also 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored on Sepulveda’s single in the third and had an RBI single in the fourth. Maldonado now has a seven-game hitting streak.

First baseman Grayson Byrd was 2 for 4.

It was the first time the Smokies have won back-to-back games since May 18 and 19.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were harvested by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 6-2.

Starter Derek Casey gave up three unearned runs on the third inning and got the loss. His final line was three runs, all unearned, on five hits over 4.2 innings. Casey struck out seven and did not walk anyone, although he did hit one batter.

DH Bradley Beesley was 2 for 3 with a walk and three stolen bases. He scored once.

Second baseman Josue Huma was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are in the doghouse after losing to the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays), 4-0.

Starting pitcher Didier Vargas gave up all four runs on five hits over 3.2 innings. Vargas struck out four and walked two.

Jose Miguel Gonzalez pitched very well tonight, giving up just one hit and no runs in 4.1 innings of relief. He struck out five and walked no one.

Center fielder Jacob Wetzel was 2 for 2 and was hit by a pitch.

Highlights, such as they are.