With 15 players from three leagues selected to play as All-Stars, the Cubs’ organization was well represented as three affiliated leagues held their All-Star games on Tuesday.
Tennessee’s six All-Stars all showed that they were deserving of the honor as Dan Vogelbach led the way with a three-run homer in the Southern League All-Star Game. Myrtle Beach’s Mark Zagunis and Jeimer Candelario also shined as each had a multi-hit game when the Carolina League All-Stars took on the California League All-Stars.
However, the spotlight went to South Bend’s Jeremy Null, whose performance earned him the “Star of the Game” award in the Midwest League All-Star Game.
Midwest League All-Star Game
It was over almost before it began as the East All-Stars scratched out a run in the first inning and never looked back, beating the West All-Stars 5-0 in the Midwest League All-Star game. The South Bend Cubs had five members named to the East squad, including starters in shortstop Gleyber Torres, outfielder Charcer Burks, and catcher Cael Brockmeyer. Burks got involved in the scoring in the fourth inning, as his groundout drove in Lansing’s Rowdy Tellez with the second run of the game. Burks was 0-for-1 with an RBI, while Torrez went 0-for-3 and Brockmeyer was 0-for-2.
Jeremy Null was tabbed as the East’s starter and worked around a hit by striking out the side. For his effort, Null was named “Star of the Game” by the Midwest League. Closer James Farris took over in the ninth and struck out the two batters he faced.
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Carolina League All-Stars v. California League All-Stars
The Carolina League took part in an unusual arrangement, traveling to Rancho Cucamonga, CA to take on the California League All-Stars, losing 9-2. Myrtle Beach was well represented as outfielder Mark Zagunis led off for the Carolina squad and was 2-for-5, driving in a run in the seventh inning. Jeimer Candelario started at third base and was 2-for-4 with a double.
Pelicans’ pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. was not as lucky, as he entered the game in the second inning and allowed an earned run on a walk and a hit. Starting the seventh inning, Jonathan Martinez held the California All-Stars scoreless as he worked around a hit with a strikeout.
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Southern League All-Star Game
It was a blowout of almost epic proportion, as the North All-Stars shut out the South All-Stars 9-0 in the Southern League All-Star game. Tennessee first baseman Dan Vogelbach put the North on the board in the second inning after Chattanooga’s Adam Walker reached on a fielding error and Max Kepler walked. Vogelbach launched a home run to right field to put the North ahead for good. Vogelbach would end up going 1-for-4 on the evening.
The Smokies also had catcher Willson Contreras named as a starter for the North squad, and he was 1-for-2 with a walk.
Tennessee pitching was almost untouchable as Frank Batista was the first to enter the game. Batista worked around a hit and a walk in the third inning. Felix Pena followed and struck out a batter in a perfect fourth inning. Taking over with one out in the eighth, Corey Black struck out one of the two batters he faced. P.J. Francescon started the ninth inning and walked two batters before recording a strikeout.
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