The Chicago Cubs welcome another first place team to the organization as the South Bend Cubs moved into first on the strong pitching of Carson Sands and James Norwood.
Myrtle Beach could not complete a sweep despite the efforts of Ian Happ, while Tennessee took their series thanks to Carlos Penalver and Chesny Young. Meanwhile, Iowa’s pitching woes contributed to two straight losses with offensive contributions from Albert Almora Jr. and Shane Victorino.
The Down on the Farm Report has all the details inside.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (22-14)
The South Bend Cubs were idle on Monday.
With a 2-1 win over Great Lakes on Tuesday, South Bend moved into first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division by percentage points. Carson Sands was effective in limiting the Loons to an earned run as he had three strikeouts in five innings. Greyfer Eregua struck out two in two scoreless innings, and John Williamson worked around a walk to fan two in 0.2 innings. James Norwood collected save number three with three strikeouts in 1.1 innings.
The SB Cubs loaded the bases in the third inning on walks to Jesse Hodges (1-for-3 with a triple) and Bryant Flete (1-for-2) along with a single by P.J. Higgins (1-for-4), with Hodges coming in on a ground out. Basehits by Flete, Andrew Ely (2-for-4 with a double), and Donnie Dewees (1-for-4 with two RBI) produced another run in the fifth inning.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (20-16)
Concluding their series with Frederick on Monday, Myrtle Beach lost 5-2. Jonathan Martinez had a rare bad outing as he allowed five earned runs and struck out three in six innings. Jordan Minch picked up three strikeouts as he pitched two scoreless innings.
The Pelicans took the early lead after Rashad Crawford (1-for-4) led off the game with a single and came around on a double from Yasiel Balaguert (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI). The Birds cut the lead down to one in the fourth after Ian Happ (1-for-3 with a double) doubled and scored on a wild pitch.
Tuesday’s game between Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem was postponed due to rain.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (18-21)
It took the offenses some time to get going on Monday, but when it was all over Tennessee had a 3-2 loss to Birmingham. Paul Blackburn was once again outstanding as he had three strikeouts and allowed an earned run over six innings. Miguel Mejia pitched three inning but had some trouble in the ninth, giving up two earned runs.
The Smokies tied the game at one in the seventh after Chesny Young (3-for-4) singled and was brought in on a double from Jacob Hannemann (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI). Tennessee loaded the bases to start the ninth on a walk to Bijan Rademacher (1-for-3), a base hit by Young, and Hannemann was hit by a pitch. However, a double play wiped out the threat as only Rademacher scored.
It was a Happy Birthday for Tennessee’s Carlos Penalver as they concluded their series against Birmingham on Tuesday with a 9-4 win. A double by Penalver (3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI) in the second inning drove in Jeimer Candelario (1-for-3 with a double) and Victor Caratini (0-for-3). Penalver doubled and scored again in the seventh inning. A five-run eighth inning was highlighted by an RBI single from David Freitas (1-for-4 with an RBI) to bring in Mark Zagunis (2-for-4 with a double) and a two-run double by Bijan Rademacher (3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI).
Tyler Skulina had one of his better outings as he allowed an earned run and struck out seven in six innings. David Garner struggled in middle relief as he gave up two earned runs in 1.2 innings. Corey Black earned his fifth save as he surrendered an earned run in the final 1.1 innings.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (18-19)
In a late final on Monday, Iowa’s bullpen could not hold off Reno in a 5-3 loss. Drew Rucinski had a decent effort as he allowed three earned runs and had two strikeouts in six innings. Armando Rivero could not get the job done as he gave up two earned runs as he pitched two innings.
A double by John Andreoli (1-for-4 with a double) and singles from Albert Almora Jr. (1-for-4 with an RBI) and Shane Victorino (1-for-4 with an RBI) gave the I-Cubs a short-lived lead in the fourth inning. Iowa tied the game at three in the sixth on base hits by Willson Contreras (1-for-4) and Dan Vogelbach (1-for-3), Contreras scoring on a double play.
It was baseball symmetry for Iowa as they lost a Tuesday afternoon game to Reno 5-3. Newly activated Scott Barnes took the mound and allowed two earned runs while striking out four in two innings. Giovanni Soto took over and gave up another two earned runs in an inning, and Carl Edwards Jr surrendered an earned run in two innings. Brandon Gomes and Gerardo Concepcion finished out the contest.
The I-Cubs were already down 4-0 when Juan Perez (2-for-5 with a home run) cracked a solo home run in the fifth. Logan Watkins (1-for-2) and John Andreoli (0-for-2) scored on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs assigned INF/C Ben Carhart to the Tennessee Smokies form the Iowa Cubs.
The Iowa Cubs activated LHP Scott Barnes from the 7-day disabled list. The Tennessee Smokies activated INF Stephen Bruno from the 7-day disabled list.