Looking to finish the first half strong, South Bend got some needed punch from Eddy Julio Martinez and pitchers Kyle Miller and Adbert Alzolay. Gioskar Amaya continued to swing a hot bat for Myrtle Beach, and Jen-Ho Tseng was a breath of fresh air in Tennessee. Jeimer Candelario launched his first Triple-A home run and played first base in a doubleheader that saw Willson Contreras, Mark Zagunis and Dan Vogelbach remain on a tear for Iowa, while Jose Gutierrez was busy tearing up the Dominican Summer League.
As the first half winds down, Down on the Farm Report remains your go-to for all Cubs minor league action.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (39-25)
It was a 13 hit romp for South Bend on Monday as they beat Dayton 6-1. Kyle Miller looked good in his second start as he had three strikeouts and allowed an unearned run in six innings. Kyle Twomey got the long save as he fanned six in three innings.
The S-Cubs’ offense pecked away at the Dragons after Carlos Sepulveda (0-for-4) scored on a double play in the first inning. A base hit by Eddy Julio Martinez (4-for-4 with an RBI) drove in Eloy Jimenez (1-for-4 with a double) and a single from Josh Silver (2-for-4 with an RBI) scored Martinez in the fourth inning. Ian Rice (3-for-5 with a home run and an RBI) provided a solo home run in the sixth inning, P.J. Higgins (2-for-4 with an RBI) scored on a wild pitch in the seventh, and a sac fly brought in Jesse Hodges (1-for-4) in the ninth.
South Bend spotted Dayton two runs on Tuesday and then went on to blow them away 7-2. All the runs came in the sixth inning after Ian Rice (1-for-5 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Carlos Sepulveda (2-for-5 with a double and two RBI), and a single by Eloy Jimenez (3-for-5 with an RBI) brought in P.J. Higgins (2-for-5). A force and a sacrifice fly brought in two more runs, and base hit by Sepulveda plated Eddy Julio Martinez (1-for-3) and Josh Silver (1-for-4). Bryant Flete (0-for-3) scored on a wild pitch.
The outburst took Adbert Alzolay off the hook as he served up a two run home run, but struck out five in seven innings. John Williamson and Craig Brooks each tossed a scoreless inning.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (33-31)
It was a long evening for Myrtle Beach on Monday as they lost 7-3 to Frederick. Erick Leal was the victim of his defense as he gave up six runs (three earned) and struck out three in 3.2 innings. James Pugliese did some heavy lifting as he tossed four scoreless innings. Tommy Thorpe surrendered an earned run in the final 1.1 innings.
The Pelicans got a solo home run from Gioskar Amaya (1-for-2 with a home run) in the first inning, but were silent until the seventh. Jason Vosler (1-for-3) came home on a sacrifice fly. Charcer Burks (2-for-4 with a home run) belted a solo home run of his own.
The Pelicans made it close on Tuesday but could not dig out of an early hole as they lost 5-4 to Frederick. The Birds began to crawl back into the game in the third inning when Rashad Crawford (2-for-5 with a double and an RBI) came in on a single by Ian Happ (3-for-4 with a double and an RBI) and Charcer Burks (1-for-5) scored on a wild pitch. Jason Vosler (1-for-4) came around on a force out in the sixth inning, and a double by Crawford drove in Daniel Spingola (2-for-4) in the ninth.
Jeremy Null did not have one of his best efforts as he allowed five earned runs in five innings. Daury Torrez was able to get his ERA down some as he struck out two in 2.1 scoreless innings. Jordan Minch also had two strikeouts as he pitched 1.2 innings.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (28-37)
It has been the story of the Smokies’ season so far as the offense and pitching could not get in sync Monday as Tennessee lost 4-2 to Chattanooga. Tyler Skulina had a serviceable start as he had six strikeouts and allowed three earned runs in six innings. David Garner was also okay in giving up an earned run in two innings. James Farris pitched a perfect inning.
Tennessee actually took a 2-1 lead in the third inning after Jacob Hannemann (2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and a stolen base) clouted a two-run homer with Bijan Rademacher (1-for-3 with a double) on board.
It was a getaway day on Tuesday and Tennessee beat Chattanooga 4-1 in a matinee. Jen-Ho Tseng was sharp as he struck out two and allowed an earned run in six innings. Stephen Perakslis tossed a scoreless inning and Jose Rosario went two innings for his first save.
The bats for the Smokies were quiet until the fifth inning when a single from Chesny Young (3-for-4 with two RBI) drove in Carlos Penalver (1-for-4) and Danny Lockhart (0-for-3). Jacob Hannemann (1-for-4 with a home run) slugged his eighth home run in the seventh inning, and a wild pitch brought in Cael Brockmeyer (2-for-4) in the eighth inning.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs 29-32
A rainout on Monday meant a doubleheader on Tuesday with Iowa unable to hold onto a big lead in losing to Colorado Springs 6-5 in game one. Michael Wagner did his job in limiting the Sky Sox to two earned runs in 2.2 innings. Corey Black had a scoreless 1.1 innings, but Felix Pena gave up four earned runs in 1.1 innings. Miguel Mejia got the final two outs.
Jeimer Candelario (0-for-2 with an RBI) was hit by a pitch in the first inning with the bases loaded to drive in Willson Contreras (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI), while Mark Zagunis (2-for-3 with a double) scored on a sacrifice fly. A double by Contreras plated John Andreoli (0-for-3) in the second inning. Singles by Juan Perez (1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base) and Munenori Kawasaki (1-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base) brought in Candelario and Dan Vogelbach (0-for-2 with an RBI) in the third.
Iowa broke out the bats in game two, launched five home runs and snapped their five-game losing streak with a 15-5 win over the Sky Sox.
Pierce Johnson returned from the disabled list and had a good outing. Johnson allowed three runs on five hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Johnson turned the game over to veteran Joel Peralta, who made his organizational debut. Peralta completed a scoreless inning with a strikeout. Giovanni Soto was touched up for two runs on three hits in an inning of work.
Iowa scored 15 runs on 15 hits with five of those leaving the yard. John Andreoli (3-for-4 with two home runs, a walk, four runs scored and four RBIB) led off the game with the first of his two homers. Logan Watkins (4-for-5 with a double, a triple, two runs scored and a RBI) had four hits and came within a home run of the cycle.
Jeimer Candelario (2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI) launched his first Triple-A home run, a three-run shot in the second inning.
Dan Vogelbach (1-for-1 with a home run, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI) smacked his team-leading 11th homer in the first innings. Every player in Marty Pevey’s starting lineup had at least one hit in the seven-inning game.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-1 Cubs (4-5)
D-1 was able to stretch out a little on Monday as they defeated the DSL Indians 9-2. Outfielder Jose Gutierrez led-off and went 3-for-5 with two triples and two RBI. Starter Jesus Tejada went six innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out four batters.
The middle innings were good to D-1 on Tuesday as they beat Yankees-1 4-1. Once again, Jose Gutierrez provided the offense as he was 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBI. Jose Mac Donna got the win in relief as he tossed four scoreless innings and had four strikeouts.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-2 Cubs (5-4)
In a close game on Monday, D-2 was not able to hold off the Orioles-2 as they lost 3-2. Outfielder Abraham Rodriguez was the hitting star, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Alfredo Colorado had a good outing, as he was nicked for two unearned runs and struck out four in five innings.
D-2 jumped out ahead on Tuesday and held on as the beat the DSL Twins 5-3. Catcher Miguel Amaya had his first professional home run as he went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Faustino Carrera was pumping it in as he struck out eight and gave up an unearned run in six innings.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs optioned RHP R.J. Alvarez to the Tennessee Smokies; assigned RHP Joel Peralta to the Iowa Cubs; assigned INF Vimael Machin to the Iowa Cubs; assigned LHP Tyler Peitzmeier to the South Bend Cubs from the Eugene Emeralds.
The Iowa Cubs released RHP Alex Sanabia; placed INF/OF Kris Negron on the bereavement list; activated RHP Pierce Johnson from the 7-day disabled list. The South Bend Cubs placed RHP James Norwood on the 7-day disabled list.