The weather caught up with the Cubs minor league teams, as rainouts forced postponements and a doubleheader. Iowa’s Ryan Kalish was a home run away from hitting for the cycle, and Albert Almora Jr. clubbed a three-run homer. Ian Happ also went deep for Myrtle Beach, as did Jacob Hannemann for Tennessee. South Bend struggled in the pitching department in their doubleheader while Daniel Spingola kept on hitting.
For all the soggy results, look at today’s Down on the Farm Report.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (12-7)
It seems as if South Bend pitching staff was mentally still in Wednesday’s rain delay as they served up 11 runs to Quad Cities as they lost 11-2 in game one of a doubleheader on Thursday. Justin Steele continued his nightmare of a beginning, as he surrendered six runs (three earned) in 1.2 innings. Kyle Miller had three strikeouts in three scoreless innings in his Low-A debut. Scott Effross allowed five earned runs in 1.1 innings.
Andrew Ely (1-for-4), P.J. Higgins (2-for-3), and Donnie Dewees (1-for-3 with an RBI) had consecutive singles to start the game as South Bend took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Daniel Spingola (1-for-3) singled and scored on a base hit from Tyler Alamo (1-for-3 with an RBI) in the fourth inning.
In the nightcap, South Bend could not muster a run as they lost to Quad Cities 3-0. Ryan Kellogg had a decent outing, but received no support as he struck out eight and allowed three earned runs in six innings.
Daniel Spingola paced the offense by going 2-for-3, while Eloy Jimenez was 1-for-3 with a double.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (11-9)
The Pelicans used the big fly on Wednesday to subdue Potomac 5-1. Gleyber Torres (1-for-4 with a double) doubled with one out in the first inning and came around on Ian Happ’s (2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI) fourth home run. The game stayed a 2-1 until the fifth inning when Danny Lockhart (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI) reached on an error and scored on a two-run shot from Cael Brockmeyer (1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI). Insurance was added in the ninth after Jeffrey Baez (0-for-4 with a stolen base) reached on a force, stole second, and scooted home on a double by Lockhart.
Zach Hedges had a pretty good night, as the big right-hander struck out six and allowed an earned run in six innings. Daury Torrez stymied the Nationals with five strikeouts in two innings. David Berg gave up a walk but worked around it to close things out in the ninth.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (11-10)
The pitching was not able to hold on Thursday as Tennessee opened a series against first place Biloxi with a 6-5 loss. Rob Zastryzny was spotted a three-run lead, but he ended up yielding five earned runs in six innings. Stephen Perakslis tossed an inning and gave up an earned run. David Garner worked around a hit for a scoreless inning.
Carlos Penalver (1-for-4) had a base hit to start the third inning, and scored after singles by Jacob Hannemann (2-for-5 with a home run) and Chesny Young (2-for-5 with an RBI). Another base hit from Billy McKinney (2-for-4 with two RBI) brought in Hannemann and Young. Hannemann also had a solo home run in the fifth inning.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (8-11)
Iowa survived a middle inning surge by Colorado Springs to thunder past the Sky Sox 10-5. Albert Almora Jr. (3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI and a stolen base) belted a three-run homer in the eighth inning to put the game away, scoring Ryan Kalish (3-for-4 with a double, a triple and an RBI) and Willson Contreras (0-for-4 with an RBI). Kalish also had a triple to drive in John Andreoli (1-for-3 with a double) in the fourth inning.
Ryan Williams had things under control until the fourth inning when he allowed the first of his four earned runs as he pitched 5.2 innings. Brandon Gomes gave up an earned run in an inning of work, while Carl Edward Jr. and Spencer Patton each tossed a scoreless inning.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs selected the contract of Tim Federowicz from the Iowa Cubs.
The Iowa Cubs activated RHP Brandon Gomes from the temporarily inactive list.