Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 11

It was one incredible day in the minors for the Cubs.

Futures Game

The National League defeated the American League, 8-3.

Cubs outfielder Brennen Davis hit two solo home runs in the Futures Game. The first was a deep blast to center field at Coors Field and the second one was a line drive to left field. Davis struck out in his first at-bat of the game against Rays prospect Shane Baz.

For his two home runs, Davis was named the Futures Game MVP. He was only the third player to hit two home runs in the Futures Game. The other two were Alfonso Soriano in 1999 and Yusniel Diaz in 2018.

On top of Davis’ performance, reliever Manuel Rodriguez pitched the sixth inning. He walked the first batter he faced, Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez. He next got Cleveland prospect Bo Naylor to ground out and then Rodriguez was thrown out trying to steal third. Finally, Rodriguez struck out Athletics prospect Tyler Soderstrom on a high 99 mph fastball.

Here’s Davis’ first home run.

And here is the second one:

Iowa Cubs

It’s not often that a no-hitter is not the lead story around here, but the Iowa Cubs threw a seven-inning no-hitter in a game one win over the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 1-0. They followed that up with a 3-2 win over the Saints in game two.

Justin Steele started game one as the Cubs build him back up into being a starter. Steele pitched 3.2 innings. He walked two and struck out five. Steele threw 56 pitches, 37 of which were strikes.

Scott Effross pitched the next 1.1 innings and retired all four batters he faced, three by strikeout.

Finally, Dillon Maples pitched two innings in a rehab appearance. Maples walked two and struck out two.

The game was still scoreless in the bottom of the seventh when Trent Giambrone hit a sac fly to right, scoring Tyler Ladendorf with the only run of the game. Giambrone was 0 for 3 and Ladendorf was 0 for 2 with the walk.

First baseman Alfonso Rivas went 2 for 3 with a double.

Here’s the last play of the game. It was a pretty shallow fly.

In game two, starter Adrian Sampson pitched five innings and gave up two runs on three hits. One of the two runs was unearned. Sampson walked three and struck out four.

Ryan Meisinger pitched the top of the seventh inning and got the win when the I-Cubs scored twice in the bottom of the inning. Meisinger allowed no runs and no hits. He did walk one and struck out two.

Shortstop Abiatal Avelino cracked a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh for the win. Avelino was 2 for 4 and scored Iowa’s other run in the first inning.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were rained out for the second-straight day. No makeup date has been announced.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs flipped over the Beloit Snappers (Marlins), 7-6.

Matteo Bocchi started for South Bend but didn’t make it out of the first inning. Bocchi gave up four runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. Bocchi also gave up another home run to Griffin Conine, who has been tormenting South Bend this season. (Yes, he’s Jeff Conine’s son.) Bocchi did not have a strikeout.

The win went the Samuel Reyes, who pitched 2.1 innings without allowing a run or a hit. Reyes walked one and struck out four.

The save went to Eury Ramos, who pitched the top of the ninth. Ramos walked the first batter he faced, but then retired the next three in order. One of them was a strikeout.

Center fielder Edmond Americaan had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Americaan also scored twice.

Shortstop Delvin Zinn went 3 for 4 and scored twice. He also made two errors, unfortunately.

First baseman Tyler Durna was 2 for 4 with three runs batted in.

Second baseman Josue Huma went 2 for 3 with two RBI. He scored once.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

It wasn’t all good news at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost to the Augusta Green Jackets (Braves), 11-0.

Jeremiah Estrada got his first start of the year and took the loss. Estrada gave up four runs in the third inning—all of them were unearned. His final line was four unearned runs on three hits over 2.2 innings. Two of the runs scored after he left the game. Estrada struck out three and did not walk anyone.

The Pelicans had two hits tonight.

ACL Cubs

Off day.