It was time for the organization to shine on All-Star Tuesday as Eloy Jimenez of South Bend was named the Number One Star of the Midwest League All-Star Game. Victor Caratini of Tennessee was the bright spot for his team in the Southern League All-Star Game.
Meanwhile regular season baseball was also in session as all of the Cubs’ affiliates are now in play with the AZL Cubs opening their 2016 season on Monday. Wladimir Galindo supplied the thunder for Eugene, while John Andreoli and Jeimer Candelario were going strong for Iowa.
With all of the highlights, the Down on the Farm Report brings the stars to you.
Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (3-1)
It was a 13-inning game on Sunday with Eugene coming out on the short end in a 6-4 loss to Boise. The Emeralds were leading comfortably when Scott Frazier relieved starter Jose Paulino and gave up four earned runs in 0.2 innings. Paulino tossed five scoreless innings and struck out five, while Alex Santana pitched 2.1 innings and Mark Malave two innings. Enrique De Los Rio was charged with two unearned runs in 2.1 innings. Jared Cheek recorded the last two outs.
Wladimir Galindo (2-for-5 with two home runs and two RBI) cranked a solo home run in the second inning, and Yeiler Peguero (2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI) had a two-run shot with Marcus Mastrobuoni (1-for-4) on base. Galindo added another solo home run in the fourth inning.
Pitching remained the story for the Emeralds as Eugene blanked Hillsboro 6-0 on Monday. Lefty Manuel Rondon had four strikeouts in five innings, while Michael Knighton struck out three in four innings for his first save.
All was quiet until the third inning when a home run by Andruw Monasterio (1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI) scored D.J. Wilson (1-for-5). Yeiler Peguero (2-for-4 with a double) came home on a throwing error in the fifth inning. A base hit from Wladimir Galindo (1-for-4 with an RBI) drove in Kevonte Mitchell (0-for-4) and a single by Ricardo Marcano (1-for-4 with two RBI) plated Chris Pieters (1-for-4) and Galindo in the sixth inning.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs
Midwest League All-Star Game – It was a wild affair in Cedar Rapids as the East All-Stars used four runs in the ninth inning to beat the West All-Stars 11-10. The game was tied when South Bend’s Eloy Jimenez crushed a three-run homer. Jimenez also made an outstanding running catch in foul territory in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the victory. For his efforts, Jimenez was named the game’s Number One Star, the second straight year a South Bend Cubs has won the award (Jeremy Null, 2015).
Donnie Dewees was also a starter as the leadoff man for the East squad. Dewees was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Third baseman Jesse Hodges started and was 0-for-2. Pitcher Carson Sands recorded two outs in the third inning, while Adbert Alzolay allowed two earned runs in 0.2 innings pitching in the seventh.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies
Southern League All-Star Game – The game was very close until the fifth inning when the South All-Stars scored five runs to go on and beat the North All-Stars 5-1. Tennessee’s Chesny Young (0-for-2) was their only starter of the game, as Paul Blackburn struck out two batters in the third inning. However, Brad Markey was hit hard in the fifth, allowing five earned runs in 0.2 innings. Juan Paniagua struck out the only batter he faced in the seventh inning. Victor Caratini (1-for-2 with a double) scored the lone run for the North in the ninth inning.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs 32-36
Iowa overcame some shaky pitching at times to defeat Memphis 5-4 on Monday. Rob Zastryzny got the win, but allowed four earned runs and had seven strikeouts in six innings. Armando Rivero tossed two scoreless innings, while Spencer Patton racked up save number eight with a 1-2-3 ninth.
John Andreoli (2-for-3 with two doubles) led off the game with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly. Cael Brockmeyer (1-for-3 with a double and two RBI) delivered a two-run double in the fourth to bring in Matt Murton (2-for-4) and Jeimer Candelario (1-for-2 with a double and an RBI). A double by Candelario drove in Dan Vogelbach (1-for-4 with an RBI) in the fifth, and Andreoli came home once again on a sac fly in the sixth inning.
The Iowa Cubs’ game on Tuesday was postponed due to rain.
Arizona Rookie League – AZL Cubs (1-0)
The AZL Cubs pulled one out in their opener on Monday, scoring five runs in the eighth inning to beat the AZL Brewers 5-3. Outfielder Luis Ayala crushed a three-run home as he was 3-for-5, while first baseman Kevin Zamudio slugged a two-run shot in going 1-for-4. After working an inning, Erling Moreno relieved veteran Aaron Crow and allowed three runs (two earned) while striking out three in five innings.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-1 Cubs (6-8)
D-1 could not keep up with Rangers-1 on Monday as they lost 9-6. First baseman Luis Hidalgo slugged his third home run of the season as he was 1-for-3 with three RBI. Juan Rengifo was the only pitcher with a decent performance, as he allowed an unearned run in three innings of relief.
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Dominican Summer League – DSL-2 Cubs (10-5)
Flexing their muscles, D-2 blew past Diamondbacks-2 11-4 on Monday. Catcher Miguel Amaya had a breakout performance as he was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI, while first baseman Abraham Rodriguez went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBI. Starter Alfredo Colorado had another fine showing as he struck out eight and allowed an earned run in five innings.
It took 11 innings on Tuesday, but D-2 got past Mariners-1 4-3. Faustino Carrera put on a heck of a pitching show as he had six strikeouts and gave up an earned run in six innings. Miguel Amaya was 2-for-5 with a double, and first baseman Franklin Tineo was 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs selected the contract of LHP Gerardo Concepcion from the Iowa Cubs; optioned RHP Adam Warren to the Iowa Cubs, recalled RHP Carl Edwards Jr. and RHP Spencer Patton from the Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs activated LHP Scott Barnes for the 7-day disabled list; sent RHP Aaron Crow to the AZL Cubs on a rehab assignment.