Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 29

The rookie ball Cubs, who play in what is now officially called the Arizona Complex League, started play last night. I mentioned that score BCB After Dark and I also mentioned that I’m not quite sure what I planned to do with the scores. I want to get the Minor League Wrap out as quickly as possible, which means not waiting until games that are played a couple of time zones over finish. In the past, this wasn’t an issue because I had games from Eugene to finish and also, I wasn’t publishing After Dark. If I were to wait until the ACL games ended, we’d be running into After Dark to publish the Minor League Wrap, and that doesn’t work for me.

So what I’m going to do for now is to list who they are playing and then add in a link to the boxscore the next day. Think of it like the old “Late Game” entry that you used to see in the newspaper boxscores, if you’re old enough to remember newspaper boxscores. This may change in the future, but it’s how I’m going to do it for now.

Of course, if the ACL finishes before I finish, then I’ll publish it with the rest of the Wrap like I did tonight. I have no idea why they played a seven-inning game. Maybe because the Giants have two teams.

The Cubs released Smokies outfielder Connor Myers today. He was a blast to watch play defense.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs raced past Indianapolis (Pirates), 9-3.

Starter Adrian Sampson got the win after he allowed two runs on five hits over 5.2 innings. Both runs came on a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Sampson walked one and struck out six.

Dillon Maples threw one inning of a rehab assignment and allowed one run on one hit and two walks. Maples struck out two batters.

Ben Leeper pitched a perfect ninth inning in a non-save situation, striking out two. Leeper has not allowed a hit since his promotion to Iowa earlier this month, which adds up to 8.1 innings after tonight.

Center fielder Michael Hermosillo hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning, his fourth on the year. Hermosillo went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Hermosillo is hitting .348 on the season for Iowa.

The next batter up after Hermosillo in the first inning, first baseman Tyler Gushue, connected for a back-to-back home run, his fifth on the season. Gushue also hit an RBI double in the third inning. He was 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Nico Hoerner played three innings again tonight at second base. He went 1 for 3 with an RBI single that was part of a six-run third inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies tossed away the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 4-2.

Smokies starter Cam Sanders gave up a two-run home run in the top of the first inning and not much after that. Sanders got the win after allowing two runs on two hits over five innings. He was a bit wild as he walked four batters and hit two. Sanders struck out four.

Brandon Hughes, Ethan Roberts and Cayne Ueckert each threw a scoreless inning to finish out the game. None of the relievers allowed a hit, so it was a combined two-hitter.

Right fielder Christopher Morel hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, his sixth on the season. Morel also tied the game up with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Morel finished the night 2 for 3 with the home run, a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice and had the two RBI.

Morel stole second base after that RBI single tied the game up with an RBI single in the fifth. Then second baseman Carlos Sepulveda singled him home to give the Smokies the lead for good. Sepulveda also hit an RBI double for an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Sepulveda was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

South Bend Cubs

Rained out. They’ll try to play a doubleheader on Thursday with Lake County.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were decoyed by the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 2-1.

Didier Vargas turned in a solid start, giving up just one run on seven hits over five innings. Vargas struck out five and walked no one.

Jose Almonte relieved Vargas and took the loss. He allowed one run on two hits over two innings. Almonte struck out two and did not walk anyone, but he did hit one batter.

DH Jonathan Sierra hit an RBI double in the fifth inning. He was 1 for 3.

Right fielder Yohendrick Pinango went 2 for 4.

Highlights:

ACL Cubs

Beat Giants Orange 6-3 in seven innings.