Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 8

Christopher Morel just wants to be like Jason Heyward. Or at least just like what Jason Heyward was like tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were roasted by the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 7-5.

Ryan Kellogg turned in a strong start, going 5.2 innings and allowing just one run on six hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

Ethan Roberts took the mound to start the eighth inning and he had a rough day at the office. Roberts took the loss after allowing five runs on two hits and three walks (one intentional) over two-thirds of an inning. Two of the runs scored after Brendan Little relieved him and allowed a two-run single to the first batter he faced. Roberts struck out one.

Right fielder Trayce Thompson had a big game today with two home runs. He started the scoring with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and ended the scoring with a solo home run in the ninth. Thompson was 2 for 4 with the three RBI. He has 18 home runs this season.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies won a wild one, 12-9 over the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) in 10 innings.

Starter Javier Assad pitched 5.1 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits. Two of those hits were solo home runs in the second and third innings. Assad struck out five and walked no one.

Dauris Valdez was looking for the save when he entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with the Smokies leading 6-5. Instead, he gave up four runs on six hits over just a third of an inning. But Samuel Reyes came in and got out of the bases-loaded, one-out jam with one pitch, that was a line drive to third for an unassisted double play for Christopher Morel. The Smokies would tie the game up after that with a three-run bottom of the ninth. Reyes got three easy outs in the top of the tenth on ground balls and got the win after . . .

Christopher Morel cranked a three-run walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the tenth. It was Morel’s 17th home run of the year. He was the hero of the game, going 3 for 4 with two doubles and four total RBI.

The Smokies were trailing the Lookouts 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning when center fielder Nelson Velazquez hit a three-run home run to give Tennessee the lead. It was Valezquez’s seventh home run for the Smokies and 19th overall. Velazquez also had a two-run double in the second inning for five total runs batted in. Velazquez went 2 for 5.

After the Smokies fell behind 9-6 in the top of the ninth, right fielder Brennen Davis smacked the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning over the wall, just to the left of dead center, to make it 9-7. Davis went 1 for 5 and he was hit by a pitch. He scored three times.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth and Grayson Byrd on first after getting hit by a pitch, left fielder Bradley Beesley hit a two-run home run to tie the game 9-9. It was Beesley’s first Double-A home run and sixth overall. Beesley was 1 for 5. Byrd was 1 for 3 with a walk and the HBP.

Second baseman Edwin Figuera was 2 for 3 and was hit by a pitch twice. He scored twice as well.

Catcher Tim Susnara was 3 for 4 with a walk and one run scored.

Here’s Morel’s walk-off blast.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were shut down by the Beloit Snappers (Marlins), 1-0.

Tyler Santana’s first professional start went very well. He gave up just three hits and no runs over four innings. Santana struck out six and walked just one. He also hit a batter.

Dalton Stambaugh also pitched well in relief of Santana, allowing no runs and no hits over three innings. Stambaugh did issue two walks while striking out three.

Danis Correa allowed a pair of two-out doubles in the bottom of the eighth inning and took the loss. His final line was one run on two hits over one inning. He struck out three and walked no one.

South Bend managed just three hits in this game.

Shortstop Liam Spence went 1 for 2 with two walks.

Second baseman Bryce Windham was 1 for 3 with a double.

Right fielder Yonathan Perlaza was 1 for 3.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Rained out. Doubleheader on Thursday.

ACL Cubs

Don’t play on Wednesdays.