Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 23

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs sunk the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 9-4.

Starter Justin Steele pitched the first four innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on just two hits. Steele walked three and struck out four.

Because Steele didn’t pitch five innings, Scott Effross was awarded the win. Effross pitched 1.2 innings and allowed two runs, both on a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Effross surrendered three hits and walked one while striking out one.

Center fielder Trayce Thompson gave the I-Cubs an early lead with a two-run home run in the second inning. It was Thompson’s tenth home run this season. Thompson went 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Shortstop Sergio Alcántara hit a solo home run in the sixth inning in his first game in Iowa since his demotion. It was Alcántara’s third home run for Iowa. He also hit a two-run double in the fourth inning. Alcántara was 3 for 5 with three runs batted in. He scored twice.

The third and final I-Cubs home run came when first baseman Alfonso Rivas hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth. It was Rivas’s fourth homer of 2021. He went 1 for 3 with two walks tonight.

Second baseman Andrew Romine went 4 for 5 with a double and a triple. Romine scored two times and drove home one.

Third baseman David Bote broke out of his slump in his rehab assignment and went 2 for 4 with an RBI double and a walk. Bote played the entire game.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were left on the launchpad by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 5-3.

Starter Luis Lugo gave up back-to-back home runs to lead off the second inning and took the loss. Lugo allowed two runs on three hits over 1.2 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

DH Nelson Maldonado hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning. It was his fifth home run on the year. Maldonado also had an RBI groundout in the seventh inning. He was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Left fielder Zach Davis was 1 for 2 with a double, two walks and a stolen base. Davis scored twice.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were snake bit by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 14-9.

Jose Albertos started this game and he gave up three runs in the first inning and three more in the second without retiring anyone. Albertos’s final line was six runs on five hits over 1+ inning. Three of those five hits were home runs. Albertos walked three and struck out one.

Thanks to four scoreless innings of relief by Dalton Stambaugh, the Cubs were able to take the lead in the seventh inning. Stambaugh gave up just one hit and he did not walk anyone. Stambaugh struck out five.

Unfortunately. the Cubs bullpen gave up eight runs in the eighth inning. The loss went to Samuel Reyes, who was torched for four runs, three earned, on one hit over 1.1 innings. Reyes walked three and struck out two.

It was a rough outing for Graham Lawson, who allowed three inherited runners to score and then four more runs of his own in the eighth over just a third of an inning.

Catcher Dean Nevarez hit his second home run in his second game with South Bend. The home run came with a man on in the second inning. Nevarez was 1 for 4.

Right fielder Yonathan Perlaza connected for a two-run home run in the seventh inning, his seventh of the season. Perlaza was 3 for 4 with a double and the home run. He scored three times and drove in two.

Second baseman Josue Huma was 2 for 4 with two steals. He had one RBI.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost the the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays), 6-4.

Tyler Schlaffer made his first start with Myrtle Beach and got his first loss with the Pelicans. Schlaffer allowed three runs on six hits over 4.1 innings. Schlaffer walked two and struck out four.

Right fielder Jacob Wetzel went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored one run.

Catcher Ethan Hearn followed up his two home run game yesterday with a two singles game. Hearn was 2 for 4.

Left fielder Jordan Nwogu went 2 for 5 with an RBI.

Highlights:

ACL Cubs

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