Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 26

I thought I should work the pun on “Minor League Wrap” and rap today’s highlights. Then I realize “No one wants to hear you rap. Including you.”

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were soaked by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 3-2.

Luis Lugo’s second start in Triple-A was a lot better than his first as he allowed just one run on three hits over five innings. Lugo struck out four and walked two.

Dillon Maples allowed one run on a solo home run to Nick Pratto in the only inning he pitched. Maples gave up two hits total. He did not walk or strike anyone out.

The loss went to Marcus Walden in relief. Walden gave up one run on two hits over two innings. In fairness to Walden, the run he gave up was on a close play at the plate and replay showed that Adalberto Mondesi should have been called out. Walden struck out three and walked no one.

DH Trayce Thompson provided all of Iowa’s offense with a two-run home run in the first inning. Thompson went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Left fielder Alfonso Rivas saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end after going 0 for 2 with two walks.

Tennessee Smokies

So the Smokies will not play until Tuesday, August 31st at the earliest.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs split a doubleheader with the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), winning game one 3-2 and losing the nightcap 3-1.

Alexander Vizcaino, who the Cubs got from the Yankees in the Anthony Rizzo trade, started this one and allowed just one run on just one hit over 3.2 innings. Vizcaino struck out six and walked two. He threw 67 pitches today and 44 were strikes.

Bailey Horn, who came over from the White Sox for Ryan Tepera, pitched the final 3.1 innings and got the win. Horn gave up one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked no one.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez came to the plate with the score tied 2-2 and two outs in the top of the seventh and hit a solo home run that ended up being the difference in the game. It was his second home run of the season. Vazquez went 2 for 3 with a walk.

In the sixth inning, first baseman Bryce Ball hit a solo home run. It was his fifth home run with the Cubs and 11th overall this year. Ball was 1 for 3.

In game two, starter Chris Clarke took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over just 1.2 innings. Clarke struck out one.

First baseman Tyler Durna doubled home Vazquez in the top of the third inning for South Bend’s only run of game two. Durna was 2 for 3 with a walk and Vazquez went 1 for 4.

Right fielder Yohendrick Pinango was 2 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell behind 5-0 after an inning and a half, but came back to stun the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 9-8. It was the Pelicans 11th-straight win over the Fireflies. (Not overall—it’s just their third-straight win against any team.)

The win also moved the Pelicans over .500 at 50-49. They’re the only Cubs full-season affiliate over .500. (The ACL Cubs are over .500 at 24-19.)

Starter Manuel Espinoza had one bad inning—the second when he allowed five runs including a three-run home run. But he stayed in the game and gutted out five innings and he allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits. Espinoza struck out six and walked no one.

Jose Almonte relived Espinoza and picked up the win. Espinoza allowed two runs on two hits over three innings. One of the hits was a solo home run. Almonte struck out five and walked three.

Gabriel Jaramillo pitched the top of the ninth inning and got the save. He gave up a one-out walk, but no other baserunners. Jaramillo retired all three other batters on a fly ball to left field.

Left fielder Owen Caissie gave the Pelicans the lead for the first time in the bottom of the eighth inning when he hit a two-run double. It was Caissie’s second double of the game. He was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. He scored twice and drove in the two.

Right fielder Peter Matt also hit two doubles tonight. He was 2 for 4 with a walk. He had one RBI.

Shortstop Kevin Made went 3 for 5 with a double. Made scored twice. Made is hitting .341 for the month of August so far.

Second baseman Ed Howard was 3 for 5 with one RBI and one run scored. Howard is hitting .246 in August, which we’ll take after the rough start he had to the year.

Center fielder Jordan Nwogu was 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Nwogu scored twice and had one run batted in.

First baseman Jonathan Sierra was 2 for 5 with one run scored and he drove in two runs.

The Pelicans played this game as the Myrtle Beach Mermen, in honor of the show Eastbound & Down, which filmed one season at their home ballpark.

Highlights:

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Rangers, 7-4.