Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 26

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were beaten by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 13-2.

Joe Biagini got hammered for four runs in the first inning and things went downhill for the I-Cubs from there. Biagini’s final line was four runs, three earned, on five over 1.2 innings. He walked one and struck out one.

Dillon Maples retired the side in order in the seventh as part of a rehab assignment. Maples struck out two. His fastball was 94-96 mph which is down a little, but he was throwing it, as well as his slider and curve, for strikes. He threw 11 pitches and 8 were strikes. Only one pitch was one of those out-of-control wild Maples pitches that we fear.

Catcher Taylor Gushue went 2 for 4.

Iowa’s two runs scored on a wild pitch and a balk.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Mississippi Braves, 5-0.

Starter Dakota Chalmers pitched just two innings, but he did not allow any runs and just one hit. Chalmers struck out three and walked no one.

Alex Katz took over from Chalmers in the third inning and took the loss. Katz gave up a three-run home run in the fourth inning, which were the only three runs he allowed over four innings of work. Katz surrendered four hits. He walked two and struck out six.

The Smokies only had two hits today, both singles. They also struck out 13 times and did not walk once. Nelson Maldonado and Connor Myers had the two singles.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs and the Ft. Wayne TinCaps were tied 1-1 in the third inning when the rains came. They’ll finish all nine innings on Sunday and then play a seven-inning game afterwards.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were lit up by the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 6-2 in ten innings.

Manuel Espinoza turned in a strong start as he pitched five scoreless innings. He gave up four hits and walked one. Espinoza struck out two.

Jarod Wright pitched the bottom of the tenth inning with the score still tied 2-2. The first batter hit a fly ball to right field to move the runner over to third. Then Wright intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases with one out. The game ended when the next batter, Darryl Collins, hit a grand slam.

Shortstop Ed Howard led off the top of the first inning with his first professional home run. He was 1 for 5.

Center fielder Jacob Wetzel went 2 for 5.

First baseman Ryan Reynolds went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk.