Rain played havoc with the minor league schedule to end the week, as South Bend took two from rival Fort Wayne thanks to a resurgent Eddy Julio Martinez. Jonathan Martinez had a strong effort for Myrtle Beach, as did Dylan Cease for Eugene. Dan Vogelbach was unstoppable for Iowa. Brian Matusz started for the AZL Cubs.
And Gleyber Torres had a four-hit night for Myrtle Beach that included a home run.
With Dominican League highlights, the Down on the Farm Report promises to go between the raindrops.
Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (14-6)
After spotting Everett two runs in the first inning on Tuesday, Eugene pounded the Aqua Sox 6-2. Dylan Cease received his first win as he pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four batters. Daniel Lewis had three strikeouts in two scoreless innings, while Alex Santana tossed two perfect innings.
A solo home run by Wladimir Galindo (1-for-4 with a home run) and a two-run single from Robert Garcia (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI), plating Jose Paniagua (2-for-4) and Trent Giambrone (1-for-4), started the scoring in the second inning. D.J. Wilson (1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base) doubled in Garcia in the fourth, and Chris Pieters (1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI) delivered a two-run homer with Taylor Davis (0-for-1) on in the eighth inning.
It was the first real stinker of the season on Wednesday as Eugene lost 12-1 to Everett. Starter Bryan Hudson went three innings and gave up four earned runs. Michael Knighton relieved and gave up three runs (two earned) in two innings. Scott Frazier was abused for five earned runs in 1.1 innings. MT Minacci tossed 1.2 scoreless innings. The only run came in the seventh inning after Trent Giambrone (1-for-3 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Tyler Payne (1-for-4).
The Eugene game on Thursday was postponed due to rain.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (52-32)
Taking out a season’s worth of frustration, South Bend stomped on Fort Wayne 12-2 on Wednesday. Minor League Pitcher of the Month Preston Morrison was virtually untouchable as he allowed only three hits and a walk while striking out nine in seven scoreless innings. Scott Effross gave up two earned runs in two innings.
The bottom of the order did most of the damage, as Jesse Hodges went 2-for-5 with two triples and three RBI. Bryant Flete and Roberto Caro were each 3-for-5 with two RBI. Flete belted a triple and had a stolen base. Carlos Sepulveda (2-for-6 with an RBI), P.J. Higgins (2-for-6 with a double), Eloy Jimenez (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI) and Eddy Julio Martinez (2-for-4 with a triple) all had multi-hit games.
On Thursday, South Bend pounded out 16 hits as they beat Fort Wayne 5-3. The SB Cubs got on the board first in the fourth inning after Donnie Dewees (2-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base). Eloy Jimenez (3-for-5 with a double) and Eddy Julio Martinez (2-for-4 with a double and two RBI) had consecutive singles to plate Dewees. A triple from Andruw Monasterio (2-for-5 with a double, a triple and two RBI) drove in Roberto Caro (1-for-4) and Carlos Sepulveda (3-for-5 with a double). A base hit from Dewees drove in Monasterio and Martinez doubled in Dewees.
Starter Casey Bloomquist went 6.1 innings and allowed three earned runs while striking out six batters. Tyler Peitzmeier was perfect for 1.2 innings with two strikeouts and Dillon Maples tossed a perfect ninth for his first save.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (43-42)
A rainout on Tuesday meant a doubleheader on Wednesday. Myrtle Beach dominated game one 8-3 over Winston-Salem. Jonathan Martinez went the distance as he struck out three and allowed three earned runs in seven innings.
The highlight was a big, six-run third inning. Andrew Ely (1-for-3 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Daniel Spingola (1-for-3) and a single by Charcer Burks (2-for-4 with an RBI) plated Erick Castillo (1-for-3). Another double from Rashad Crawford (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI) brought in Ely. Burks scored on a wild pitch. A third double in the inning by Jason Vosler (2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI) drove in Crawford and Ian Rice (1-for-3).
It was a sweep for Myrtle Beach as the Pelicans beat Winston-Salem 5-3 in game two. Jeremy Null started and gave up three earned runs in five innings. Daury Torrez tossed a scoreless inning and Ryan McNeil pitched the seventh, picking up his 11th save.
Ian Rice (1-for-3 with a home run) thumped a solo home run in the second inning, and the Pelicans tied the game in the sixth after Andrew Ely (1-for-4 with two RBI) singled in Jason Vosler (1-for-4) and Daniel Spingola (0-for-1). In the seventh, a base hit from Yasiel Balaguert (1-for-4 with an RBI) scored David Bote (0-for-3). Jeffrey Baez (0-for-2 with an RBI) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in Rice.
It all fell apart for Myrtle Beach on Thursday as they blew a two run lead, losing 13-9 to Winston Salem. Trevor Clifton was battered for five runs (four earned) and had six strikeouts in four innings. James Pugliese gave up two earned runs in an inning. Craig Brooks surrendered four earned runs in 1.2 innings in his Pelicans’ debut. Tommy Thorpe tosses the final 1.1 innings and yielded two earned runs.
Gleyber Torres (4-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and a stolen base) put the Birds on the board with a two run home with Rashad Crawford (2-for-4 with an RBI) on in the first, and Yasiel Balaguert (2-for-5 with a home run) added a solo home run in the second. The Pelicans attempted a comeback in the ninth after David Bote (1-for-5 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Jason Vosler (2-for-4 with a double) and later scored on a fielder’s choice. A walk to Crawford forced in Jeffrey Baez (2-for-4) and a single from Torres drove in Erick Castillo (0-for-4) and Charcer Burks (2-for-6).
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (35-47)
The Tennessee game on Wednesday was postponed due to rain. The doubleheader scheduled for Thursday was suspended in the fifth inning of the first game due to rain.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (40-48)
The I-Cubs were faced with another doubleheader on Wednesday and dropped the opener 4-3 to Omaha in eight innings. Rob Zastryzny struck out 10 and allowed three earned runs in seven innings. Corey Black pitched the eighth and gave up the game-winner.
Dan Vogelbach (1-for-2) scored on a ground out in the second inning, and a single by Munenori Kawasaki (2-for-5 with two RBI and two stolen bases) brought in Kris Negron (1-for-4 with a double) and John Andreoli (1-for-3 with two stolen bases) in the fifth inning.
It was a sweep in the nightcap as Iowa lost 7-5 to Omaha in nine innings. The I-Cubs called upon system pitcher Michael Wagner to start and he struck out four while allowing two runs (one earned) in four innings. Giovanni Soto was another victim of the defense as he gave up three runs (one earned) in two innings. Felix Pena fanned three as he tossed two perfect innings, but the defense failed once again as Armando Rivero was charged with two unearned runs in the ninth.
A base hit by Matt Murton (3-for-4 with a double and two RBI) brought in Vimael Machin (1-for-4) in the third inning. Murton doubled in Machin in the fifth. A triple by Dan Vogelbach (2-for-3 with a triple) and a double from Tim Federowicz (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI) accounted for one run in the sixth. Kris Negron (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Federowicz. Iowa tied the game in the seventh when a double by Mark Zagunis (1-for-5 with a double and an RBI) drove in Logan Watkins (1-for-1).
Moving on to Colorado Springs on Thursday, Iowa could not keep pace as they lost 11-7. Jake Buchanan was thumped, giving up eight earned runs and striking out six in 5.2 innings. Gerardo Concepcion allowed three runs in 1.1 innings, and Jose Rosario had a strikeout in a perfect inning.
After Dan Vogelbach (3-for-4 with two RBI) singled in John Andreoli (0-for-4 with a stolen base), the I-Cubs had two three-run innings. Base hits by Matt Murton (3-for-5 with a double), Vogelbach, Tim Federowicz (2-for-5 with a double and an RBI), and Logan Watkins (2-for-4 with two RBI) accounted for runs in the third inning. Watkins drove in Murton in the seventh with a base hit, and a single from Munenori Kawasaki 1-for-3 with two RBI) plated Vogelbach and Watkins.
Arizona Rookie League – AZL Cubs (7-7)
The AZL Cubs were idle on Wednesday.
It was a big night for the A-Cubs as they blasted the AZL Padres 10-4. Brian Matusz had his first start and struck out five in three no-hit innings. Zach Short paced the offense as he was 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI, and a stolen base.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-1 Cubs (14-15)
It took 11 innings, but D-1 was able to one-up the DSL Indians 5-4 on Wednesday. Aneuris Rosario struck out four and tossed three scoreless innings of relief for the win. Orain Nunez shined again as he was 2-for-5 with two RBI and a stolen base.
The pitching staff is beginning to assert itself as D-1 shut-out Yankees-1 on Thursday 4-0. Braylin Marquez allowed three hits and struck out four in five innings. Yonathan Perlaza went 2-for-4 with a triple and a stolen base.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-2 Cubs (19-9)
In a rarity, D-2 shutout Diamondbacks-2 6-0 on Wednesday. Faustino Carrera scattered six hits and struck out five in seven innings. Outfielder Tony Rijo had three RBI as he was 1-for-4 with a triple.
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It was “swing-from-the-heels” day on Thursday as D-2 lost to Mariners-1 17-11. Yovanny Cuevas (1-for-2 with four RBI) belted a Grand Slam home run and Abraham Rodriguez was 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Hector Garcia started and allowed three earned runs while striking out four in five innings.
Click Here for Complete Box Score http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2016_07_07_dchrok_dmrrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Adam Warren from the Iowa Cubs; sent LHP Clayton Richard to the Tennessee Smokies on a rehab assignment; sent OF Dexter Fowler to the South Bend Cubs on a rehab assignment; assigned RHP Michael Wagner to the Iowa Cubs from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans; assigned RHP Starling Peralta to the Tennessee Smokies from the Iowa Cubs; assigned RHP Craig Brooks to the Myrtle beach Pelicans from the South Bend Cubs; assigned INF Andruw Monasterio to the South Bend Cubs from the Eugene Emeralds; assigned RHP Bryan Molina to DSL-2 Cubs from DSL-1 Cubs.
The Tennessee Smokes placed OF Jacob Hannemann and RHP Duane Underwood Jr. on the 7-day disabled list. The South Bend Cubs released INF Sutton Whiting; activated RHP James Norwood from the 7-day disabled list. The Eugene Emeralds released OF Alex Bautista and OF Ricardo Marcano.