Early summer rains were the norm to start this week, as three of the four affiliates were rained out on Monday and South Bend lost both games to weather.
Doubleheaders ensued as Myrtle Beach split a pair with Frederick, and Chesny Young remaining a hitting machine. Tennessee also split as they suffered the indignity of being no-hit by Birmingham. But the Smokies held on in the nightcap thanks to Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber.
Iowa also had mixed results in their two games, as Dallas Beeler pitched a gem and Christian Villanueva kept hitting.
Also included are scores from the Dominican and Venezuelan leagues, as it’s time to refresh another Down on the Farm Report.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (26-30)
South Bend’s games on Monday and Tuesday were postponed due to rain.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (34-23)
Myrtle Beach’s game on Monday was postponed due to rain.
A rainout on Monday meant a doubleheader Tuesday and Myrtle Beach broke game one open in the sixth inning to defeat Frederick 7-1. The Pelicans manufactured a run to start the game after Mark Zagunis (1-for-3) walked, advanced to third on two groundouts, and scored on a single from Jacob Rogers (1-for-2 with two RBI) after a walk to Victor Caratini (1-for-1). Caratini walked to begin the sixth and Rogers was hit by a pitch. A bunt single by Carlos Penalver (2-for-4) loaded the bases. Kevin Brown (0-for-3 with an RBI) walked to force in Caratini. A single from Trey Martin (1-for-4 with an RBI) scored Rogers, and Penalver coming home on a base hit by Danny Lockhart (1-for-4 with an RBI). A wild pitch with one out plated Brown, and following a walk to Pin-Chieh Chen (1-for-3) a force play allowed Chesny Young (1-for-4 with an RBI) to reach and Martin to score. Walks to Caratini and Rogers drove in Lockhart.
Jonathan Martinez continues to be one of the most effective pitchers for Myrtle Beach. Martinez struck out four and allowed an earned run on four hits and a walk in five innings. Zach Cates had a strikeout in two scoreless innings.
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Myrtle Beach could not generate any offense after the first inning in game two as the Pelicans lost 5-1 to Frederick. Daury Torrez went all the way for the Pelicans, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks in six innings. Chesny Young (2-for-3 with a stolen base) singled with two out in the first, stoles second and scored on a base hit from Victor Caratini (1-for-3 with an RBI).
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Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (32-27)
Tennessee’s game on Monday was postponed due to rain.
The Monday rains produced a Tuesday doubleheader, and the Smokies were no-hit in losing the opener to Birmingham 2-0. Rehabbing Jacob Turner was given the start and gave up a two-run home run as he worked four innings and struck out four batters. Andres Santiago went the rest of the way, limiting the Barons to two hits and striking out a batter in three innings.
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The Smokies turned a laugher into one with concerns as they outlasted Birmingham in the nightcap 7-5. Ryan Williams had another strong performance, striking out three and allowing an earned run on four hits and a walk in four innings. P.J. Francescon kept the Barons at bay, striking out a batter in two scoreless innings. Corey Black came on in the seventh to close things out, but was hammered for four earned runs in 0.1 innings. Starling Peralta got the final two outs for his first save.
After being frustrated in game one, the offense finally broke out in the third inning after Stephen Bruno (1-for-3) singled and was sacrificed to second base. A base hit by Bryant Flete (2-for-3 with an RBI) brought in Bruno, and a single from Elliot Soto (1-for-3) put runners on the corners. A double from Albert Almora Jr. (2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI) scored Flete and Soto, and Almora came around on a home run by Kyle Schwarber (2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI). Almora doubled to begin the fifth inning. Schwarber followed with a single. A wild pitch brought in Almora, with a ground out and a sacrifice fly scoring Schwarber.
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Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (30-28)
Pitching was the key to the I-Cubs’ 30th win of the season as they beat Memphis 2-1 on Monday. Dallas Beeler definitely had his best game of the season, striking out eight and giving up only one hit in six innings. In two innings, Drake Britton allowed an earned run while Brian Schlitter collected his fourth save by pitching the ninth.
Arismendy Alcantara (1-for-4 with a double) started the game for Iowa with a double, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on an error. With the game tied at one in the eighth, Rubi Silva (1-for-3) lined a single and moved to second on a sacrifice. A bloop single by pinch-hitter Rafael Lopez (1-for-1 with an RBI) drove in Silva with the winning run.
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In a getaway day matinee Tuesday, the I-Cubs looked like they were already gone as they lost to Memphis 11-3. Starter Eric Jokisch was hit hard, allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings. Joe Ortiz stemmed the tide for 1.1 innings, but Gonzalez Germen was touched for three earned runs in an inning. Armando Rivero surrendered an earned run in an inning, and Yoervis Medina gave up another two earned runs in the eighth inning. Blake Cooper had a strikeout in a scoreless ninth.
Iowa had the first lead as Player of the Week Christian Villanueva (1-for-4 with a double) doubled to start the second inning and scored after a one out walk to Rafael Lopez (0-for-3 with a walk) and a ground out. Jonathan Mota (1-for-4 with an RBI) led off the fifth inning with a single and came home on a double from Adron Chambers (1-for-3 with a double and an RBI). A one out double by Arismendy Alcantara (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI) drove in Chambers.
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Dominican Summer League – DSL Cubs (6-3)
It was overall dominance by the DSL Cubs on Monday as they beat the DSL Braves 8-2. Junior Marte picked up his first win as he struck out four and allowed an earned run in five innings. Second baseman Fidel Mejia was 3-for-4 with two RBI, while shortstop Yeiler Peguero went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
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The D-Cubs used a big first inning and a rally in the ninth to get past the DSL Tigers 6-5 on Monday. Third baseman Rafael Mejia had a two-run double in the first and was 2-for-4 with three RBI in the game. Catcher Erick Gonzalez went 1-for-5 with an RBI. Starter Hector Garcia pitched a great game, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out seven in five innings.
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Venezuelan Summer League – VSL Cubs 10 – 10
It was a rare doubleheader for the VSL Cubs on Monday as they dropped the opener 4-3 to the VSL Tigers. Gabriel Lima had three strikeouts and allowed four runs (two earned) in four innings. Infielder Henrry Pedra spearheaded a seventh inning comeback attempt, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
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In game two, the V-Cubs blanked the VSL Tigers 6-0. Jesus Arias pitched well, striking out six in four innings. Moises Ramirez picked up his first victory in 1.1 innings, while Juan Rengifo collected his fourth save in pitching 1.2 innings. Catcher Daniel Diaz had a big day as he was 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI. Gustavo Polanco went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
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The VSL Cubs turned on the juice in the fifth inning Tuesday to drive past the VSL Tigers 6-3. Outfielders Luis Ayala and Jose Gonzalez keyed the rally, with Ayala going 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBI while Gonzalez was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Harrinson Bermudez gave up an unearned run and struck out three in 3.2 innings for the win.
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News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs sent RHP Jacob Turner to the Tennessee Smokies on a rehab assignment; assigned INF Ryan Dent to the Iowa Cubs from the Tennessee Smokies; assigned LHP Tyler Ihrig to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans from the Tennessee Smokies; assigned RHP Fernando Cruz to the Eugene Emerald from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
The Iowa Cubs placed INF Javier Baez on the 7-day disabled list. The Tennessee Smokies activated 1B Dan Vogelbach from the 7-day disabled list.