Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 29

I was away at the beach most of today and I had a lot of emotions when I got back and looked at the notifications on my phone. I’m sure most of you are feeling the same, so I won’t bother sharing my feelings. But what we can do is focus on the players who are in the organization, including a great effort by the new-look I-Cubs tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs silenced the Louisville Bats (Reds), 2-0.

Justin Steele allowed just four singles over five innings. Steele struck out five and walked no one. A great start by a guy who is likely going to be in the Chicago Cubs rotation very soon.

Ryan Meisinger had two scoreless innings and Tony Cingrani tossed one. The save went to Ben Leeper, who allowed a two-out single in the top of the ninth but no other baserunners in his inning of work. Leeper struck out one.

First baseman Frank Schwindel had a two-run single in the fifth inning and that was all the scoring in the game. Schwindel was 1 for 3.

Right fielder Greg Deichmann (pronounced DIKE-man) was 1 for 4 in his Cubs debut. He scored on Schwindel’s single, along with pinch hitter Ian Miller, who had singled. Miller stayed in the game and was 1 for 2.

Shortstop Andrew Romine and third baseman Abiatal Avelino were both 2 for 4.

Center fielder Johneshwy Fargas went 2 for 4 with two steals.

Overall, a good showing for three guys who weren’t in the Cubs organization last week.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 2-1.

Luis Lugo got the win after giving up just one run on five hits over the first five innings. Lugo struck out six and walked just one.

Brendon Little threw 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He struck out four and walked no one.

The save went to Ethan Roberts, who pitched 1.1 innings and allowed one hit, a double to the first batter he faced. Roberts struck out one and walked no one.

First baseman Nelson Maldonado was 2 for 4 and scored twice. He scored the second and final run of the game one a wild pitch in the third inning.

Right fielder Brennen Davis was 2 for 2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch.

DH Cam Balego was 1 for 2 with two walks. His single in the bottom of the first inning scored Maldonado.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were burglarized by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Royals), 11-3.

South Bend went with a pitching committee tonight and Blake Whitney got his first start since 2018. He also got the loss as he gave up three runs in each of the two innings he pitched. His final line was six runs on five hits and a walk. Whitney struck out four. One of those strikeouts came on a wild pitch with two outs in the second inning that then loaded the bases and set up a three-run double.

DH Bryce Ball went 2 for 4 with a double and one run scored.

Left fielder DJ Artis went 2 for 4 with a walk.

Third baseman Jake Slaughter was 2 for 5.

Shortstop Scott McKeon went 2 for 4. He had one RBI and scored once.

The game was delayed by an hour and four minutes in the seventh inning after a fire alarm went off.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans tore the Augusta GreenJackets (Braves), 9-4.

Starter Didier Vargas allowed four runs on eight hits over four innings. Vargas walked two and struck out four.

The win went to Alberto Sojo, who pitched three innings of relief without allowing a run. Sojo gave up two hits and he issued one walk. Sojo did not have a strikeout.

Carlos Ocampo pitched the final two innings for the save. He allowed one hit. Ocampo neither walked nor struck out anyone.

The Pelicans homered twice tonight, both times in the fourth inning. First baseman Matt Warkentin led off the inning with a home run, his third of the year and second with Myrtle Beach. But in the top of the first inning, Warkentin connected for a three-run double. Warkentin was 2 for 4 with the four RBI.

Later in the fourth inning, Ezequiel Pagan hit a two-run home run. It was his third home run of 2021 but his first with the Pelicans. Pagan went 3 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored twice.

Third baseman Luis Verdugo went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles. Verdugo scored twice and drove home one.

Left fielder Jordan Nwogu also doubled twice tonight. Nwogu went 2 for 5. He had one run batted in and scored once.

Right fielder Yohendrick Pinango went 2 for 5 with a double and a steal. Pinango scored one time.

ACL Cubs

Lost game one 1-0. Were losing game 2 4-0 in the sixth inning.