It was not a good end to the week for the Cubs’ affiliates as the five teams in play could manage only two wins in nine games. Myrtle Beach had a memorable comeback thanks to the hitting of Chesny Young and the pitching of Jonathan Martinez. The only other win came in Venezuela, as the V-Cubs received a good debut from 17-year old Freddy Tineo.
South Bend struggled with Lansing as Cael Brockmeyer provided the only highlight. Tennessee dropped two and had a scary incident with Bijan Rademacher and Albert Almora Jr. Meanwhile, Iowa welcomed what seemed like an entire new pitching staff.
Today’s Down on the Farm Report supplies all the details.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (18-23)
The losing streak reached four games for South Bend as they bowed to Lansing 8-1 on Wednesday afternoon. Starting Pitcher Zach Hedges took his lumps as he allowed eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in six innings. Daniel Lewis and James Farris each had a strikeout and tossed a scoreless inning. The only run for the SB Cubs came in the sixth when David Bote (0-for-2 with two walks) walked with one out. Jesse Hodges (2-for-4 with a double) doubled, and a ground out scored Bote.
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An embarrassing loss on Thursday moved the losing streak to five as South Bend took it on the chin form Lansing 17-2 The defense did not do any favors for Trevor Clifton as he allowed six runs (four earned) and struck out six in five innings. David Garner had an appearance he would like to forget as he was shelled for eight earned runs in only 0.1 innings. The onslaught continued with Francisco Carrillo, who gave up three earned runs and struck out two in 1.2 innings. Infielder David Bote saved the rest of the bullpen as he held the Lugnuts scoreless in the eighth.
The SB Cubs scored in the fourth inning when Andrew Ely (2-for-4) led off with a single and came around on a home run from Cael Brockmeyer (1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI).
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High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (24-14)
Myrtle Beach showed their championship pedigree on Wednesday as they came from behind to beat Frederick 6-4. The Keys took a three run lead in the first inning thanks to a three-run homer off of starter Jonathan Martinez. But Martinez settled down and limited Frederick to those three earned runs while striking out two in six innings. James Pugliese executed the long save, allowing an earned run as he struck out five in three innings.
The Pelicans started their comeback in the fifth inning after Chesny Young (2-for-3 with two RBI), Jeimer Candelario (0-for-3 with two walks), and Jacob Rogers (1-for-2 with three walks) drew one out walks. Carlos Penalver (1-for-4 with a triple and three RBI) cleared the bases with a two-out triple that scored Young, Candelario, and Rogers. The Birds took the lead in the sixth inning after Trey Martin (2-for-4 with a double) doubled and scored following a single by Pin-Chieh Chen (1-for-4 with a stolen base) and Young. Myrtle Beach tacked on some insurance runs in the eighth when Chen walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Young. Young scored after a ground out and a wild pitch.
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There was no miracle comeback on Thursday for Myrtle Beach as they lost to Frederick 4-3. Daury Torrez had a good effort, allowing two earned runs and striking out two in six innings. Tayler Scott had a rare poor performance. Scott gave up two earned runs in 1.2 innings. The last four outs were recorded by Michael Heesch.
The third inning saw the Pelicans take the lead after Danny Lockhart (2-for-4) singled and advanced to second on a throwing error. After a sacrifice, a single from Mark Zagunis (4-for-4 with a double and an RBI) scored Lockhart. Zagunis came home following a ground out and a base hit from Chesny Young (3-for-4 with a double and an RBI). Carlos Penalver (1-for-4 with a double) lined a two out double in the fourth and touched home after singles by Lockhart and Trey Martin (1-for-3 with an RBI).
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Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (22-19)
Tennessee could not keep pace with Jackson on Wednesday afternoon and lost 6-4. Starting pitcher Felix Pena had one of his worst games of the season, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in 5.2 innings. In his Smokies debut, Michael Wagner tossed 2.1 innings and gave up an earned run. Starling Peralta pitched the ninth and surrendered an earned run.
The game was marred by a collision between outfielders Bijan Rademacher and Albert Almora Jr. in the sixth inning, which both players had to leave the game.
Dan Vogelbach (2-for-3) led off the second inning with a walk, went to third on a double by Willson Contreras (2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI), and scored on a single from Anthony Giansanti (1-for-4 with an RBI). In the sixth, a walk to Elliot Soto and base hits by Billy McKinney (1-for-2) and Vogelbach loaded the sacks for Contreras. A double by Contreras plated Soto and McKinney. Kyle Schwarber (0-for-4) reached on an error to start the eighth, and a single by Vogelbach put runners on the corners. A double play allowed Schwarber to score.
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A ninth inning rally fell short on Thursday as Tennessee lost to Montgomery 4-3. The Smokies did not score until the seventh inning when they were down 4-0. Dan Vogelbach (0-for-2 with a walk and an RBI) walked and scored on a double from Willson Contreras (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI). Newcomer Bryant Flete (0-for-2 with a walk) led off the ninth with a walk. Walks to Ryan Dent (0-for-3 with a walk) and Anthony Giansanti (1-for-3) loaded the bases. A wild pitch scored Flete, and Kyle Schwarber (0-for-2 with two walks) walked. A sacrifice fly brought in Dent.
For the first time in a Smokies uniform this season, Jeffry Antigua was rocked as he gave up four earned runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings. Gerardo Concepcion and Michael Jensen each held the Biscuits scoreless for an inning.
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Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (19-20)
The Iowa Cubs were had an off day on Wednesday.
Iowa welcomed some new faces on Thursday as they hosted Tacoma and lost 5-3. Felipe Paulino had his first start for the organization and allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out four in four innings. Daniel Schlereth, also in his organizational debut, held the Rainiers scoreless for an inning. Newly acquired Yoervis Medina also shut down Tacoma for 1.1 innings with a strikeout. Blake Cooper had a rare poor showing and gave up an earned run but struck out three in 1.2 innings. Armando Rivero worked around two hits with a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
The I-Cubs scored single runs in the second, third, and fifth innings. Taylor Davis (1-for-4 with an RBI) doubled and scored on a one out double from Chris Valaika (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI) in the second inning. After walks to Matt Szczur (1-for-3 with a double) and Javier Baez (0-for-3 with a walk) in the third, a double play and a single from Taylor Teagarden (1-for-4 with an RBI) plated Szczur. Arismendy Alcantara (2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, and an RBI) blasted a solo home run in the fifth.
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Venezuelan League – VSL Cubs (2-2)
It was not the V-Cubs’ day on Wednesday was they were manhandled by the VSL Rays 12-2. Left-hander Riger Fernandez was hit pretty hard, allowing five earned runs and striking out four in 2.2 innings. Shortstop Rafael Narea was 3-for-5 with a double while second baseman Jhonny Bethencourt went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
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The VSL Cubs returned the favor to the VSL Rays on Thursday with a 12-6 victory. Seventeen year old starter Freddy Tineo was under control, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out a batter in four scoreless innings. Eugenio Palma gave up an earned run and worked two innings for his first victory. The Cubs’ attack was led by DH Roberto Vahlis, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. Jose Rojas was 2-for-5 with two RBI.
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