Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 4

Happy Independence Day from Minor League Wrap!

The Cubs named Iowa Cubs outfielder Michael Hermosillo and Iowa Cubs reliever Ben Leeper as the Cubs Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs defeated Indianapolis (Pirates), 5-2.

Adrian Sampson turned in a quality start and got the win after allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings. Sampson walked one and struck out four.

Ben Leeper retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth to run his hitless streak in Triple-A to 11.1 innings.

Manuel Rodriguez pitched the ninth and got the save. The first batter he faced singled, but the second batter he faced hit into a double play. He struck out the third batter he faced to end the game.

Catcher Tony Wolters hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning to open the scoring. It was Wolters’ third home run this year. He went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Third baseman Tyler Ladendorf hit a two-run double in the fourth. Ladendorf was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies grounded the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 7-6 after trailing 6-1 after the top of the fourth inning.

Starter Cam Sanders put the Smokies in a whole after allowing six runs on six hits over four innings. Two of those hits were home runs (a two-run homer and a three-run shot) and one of the six runs was unearned. Sanders struck out five and walked three.

Wyatt Short picked up the win after he pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. He gave up one hit. Short struck out two and walked no one.

Ethan Roberts struck out the side in order in the top of the ninth for the save. All three strikeouts were swinging.

Right fielder Brennen Davis hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, his third home run on the year. He later tied the game 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI double. Davis went 2 for 4 and walked one time.

First baseman Jared Young was 4 for 5 with a double and scored twice.

DH Nelson Maldonado went 2 for 5. He scored to go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth on a Tim Susnara sacrifice fly. Susnara went 1 for 3 with a walk.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs demoted the Lake County Captains (Cleveland), 3-0.

Starter Chris Kachmar pitched the first 3.2 innings and surrendered three hits. He walked one and struck out four.

The win went to Chris Sullentrop because Kachmar did not last five innings. Sullentrop did not allow a run or a hit over 2.1 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

The save went to Tanner Jesson-Dalton, who gave up one hit and issued one walk over 1.1 innings. Jesson-Dalton struck out three.

South Bend scored all three runs on a three-run home run by right fielder Nelson Velazquez in the third inning. It was his tenth home run this year already. Velazquez went 2 for 4.

South Bend only had three hits tonight. Edmond Americaan had the other one and scored on the home run. He went 1 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans carved up the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers), 12-3.

Didier Vargas started and got the win. Vargas pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits. But he impressively struck out ten batters and did not walk anyone.

Catcher Ethan Hearn went 2 for 4 with a three-run double and a walk. Hearn scored one run.

Third baseman Luis Verdugo had a two-run double in a 2 for 4 game. Verdugo scored twice.

Left fielder Yohendrick Pinango went 2 for 4 with a sacrifice fly. Pinango also scored one run.

DH Ryan Reynolds went 2 for 5. He scored one time and had one run batted in.

Highlights:

ACL Cubs

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