Debuts marked the end of the week as pitchers Erling Moreno and Dakota Mekkes made their first appearances for Eugene, and Jose Paulino started for South Bend. Donnie Dewees had a hot start to his Myrtle Beach career, while Tennessee bade good bye to Chris Coghlan and Jorge Soler.
With highlights from the Rookie League and the Dominican Republic, the Down on the Farm Report turns that page on another week.
Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (29-11)
The Emeralds could not solve Salem-Keizer’s pitching on Tuesday night as they lost 5-1. Erling Moreno had a grand debut for Eugene, as he struck out seven in five scoreless innings. Dakota Mekkes also pitched his first game for the Ems and allowed two earned runs and had three strikeouts in two innings. Chad Hockin was charged with an unearned run and Mark Malave gave up two earned runs as each pitched an inning. The only run came in the seventh after Trent Giambrone (1-for-3 with an RBI) singled in Jose Paniagua (2-for-4 with a double).
Eugene bounced back on Wednesday against Salem-Keizer to win a 4-1 game. Jose Paniagua (1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI) tripled home Chris Pieters (2-for-4 with two stolen bases) and Wladimir Galindo (0-for-3), and a single by Zack Short (1-for-2 with an RBI) scored Paniagua. In the second inning, a base hit from Robert Garcia (2-for-4 with an RBI) drove in Kevonte Mitchell (0-for-2).
Manuel Rondon kept his record a perfect 4-0 as he allowed an earned run and had two strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Tyler Peitzmeier tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, while Michael Knighton had two strikeouts in a perfect inning. Wyatt Short set down the side in order in the ninth for his second save.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (62-40)
South Bend wasted an early lead on Wednesday afternoon as they lost 5-4 to Lake County. Alberto Mineo (2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI) drilled a three-run homer in the first inning with Carlos Sepulveda (2-for-5 with an RBI) and P.J. Higgins (1-for-4) on base. In the second inning, Sepulveda singled in Matt Rose (3-for-3 with a double) for the Cubs’ final run.
Lefty Jose Paulino made his South Bend debut and did not do badly, allowing three earned runs and striking out four in five innings. But Tanner Griggs gave up two earned runs as he pitched two innings Scott Effross pitched a scoreless inning.
If you like pitching, Thursday was your cup of tea as South Bend held Lake County to four hits in a 3-0 win. Ryan Kellogg gave up the four hits as he struck out six in six innings. John Williamson fanned three in two perfect innings, and Dillon Maples went 1-2-3 in the ninth for his fourth save.
The SB Cubs broke a scoreless tie in the seventh after Eloy Jimenez (1-for-4 with a triple) tripled and scored on a single from Eddy Julio Martinez (2-for-3 with an RBI). Connor Myers (0-for-3 with an RBI) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth to bring in Alberto Mineo (0-for-3), and Martinez came home on a sacrifice fly.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (54-50)
It was an offensive explosion on Wednesday as Myrtle Beach defeated Carolina 10-7. Yasiel Balaguert continued to be on a tear, as he was 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI. Donnie Dewees (1-for-3 with a home run and a stolen base) had his first home run as a Pelican, a solo shot. Charcer Burks (2-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, and a stolen base) and Erick Castillo (2-for-3 with an RBI) also had multi-hit games.
Jake Stinnett had one of his better starts as he was charged with an unearned run and struck out three in four innings. James Pugliese allowed three earned runs in two innings, and Tommy Nance gave up three runs (two earned) in two innings. Ryan McNeil had a perfect ninth for his 16th save.
Everything looked good for five innings, but then the wheels fell off the cart for Myrtle Beach as the Pelicans lost 8-2 to Salem in eight innings. Trevor Clifton was sailing through five innings, and then gave up three earned runs in the sixth as he departed with six strikeouts through six innings. Craig Brooks also looked good for an inning and then surrendered five earned runs as he pitched 1.2 innings. James Norwood allowed a hit before rain called a halt to the game.
The Pelicans held a fragile lead after Daniel Spingola (3-for-4 with two doubles) doubled and scored on a ground out in the third inning. It was nearly the same scenario in the eighth after David Bote (1-for-3) singled and came home on a ground out.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (41-61)
Pitching and defense were the bane of Tennessee on Wednesday as they lost 8-4 to Chattanooga. Jen-Ho Tseng actually had a good start as he gave up five runs but only two were earned as he struck out three in five innings. Juan Paniagua gave up three earned runs in 0.2 innings, and Starling Peralta pitched 1.1 innings. David Garner worked around a walk and a hit in the eighth inning.
Ian Happ (1-for-5 with two RBI) singled in Chris Coghlan (3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI) in the first inning, and Jorge Soler (0-for-2) scored on a ground out in the third. A double by Coghlan brought in Bijan Rademacher (2-for-5 with a double) in the fourth, and Carlos Penalver (1-for-4) came home in the sixth on another double from Coghlan.
The Smokies fought back on Thursday but it wasn’t meant to be as Tennessee lost 4-3 to Chattanooga. Tennessee cut a 3-0 deficit to one in the fourth inning after Gioskar Amaya (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Victor Caratini (2-for-3), and scored on a ground out. The game was tied in the eighth when Caratini came home on a double by David Freitas (1-for-3 with a double and an RBI).
Michael Wagner had a second good start for the Smokies, as he allowed three earned runs in six innings. James Farris had two strikeouts in two scoreless innings, but Nick Sarianides gave up the winning run with one out in the ninth.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (45-61)
A balanced attack helped Iowa defeat New Orleans 8-2 on Wednesday. The I-Cubs were paced by a five-run second inning which Logan Watkins (2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI) tripled in Jeimer Candelario (1-for-4) and scored on a ground out. Kris Negron (1-for-3 with a home run) walloped a solo home run and Rob Zastryzny (0-for-1) came home on another ground out. A double by Juan Perez (2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base) drove in John Andreoli (2-for-5 with a double and an RBI). Taylor Davis (2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI) added a two-run homer with Watkins on in the third inning, and Candelario scored on a single from Andreoli in the fifth.
Rob Zastryzny had one of his better outings as he struck out three and was charged with an unearned run in four innings. Corey Black and C.J. Riefenhauser each had two strikeouts as each pitched an inning, and Spencer Patton fanned three in two innings. Jose Rosario gave up an earned run in the ninth.
It was quite a reversal on Thursday as the I-Cubs were embarrassed 7-1 by New Orleans. Trevor Cahill struck out five and gave up three runs (two earned) in 3.2 innings. Armando Rivero relieved and had three strikeouts in 1.1 innings. Miguel Mejia surrendered four earned runs in two innings. Giovanni Soto set down the side in order in the eighth. The only run for Iowa came in the fifth inning on a solo home run from Mark Zagunis (2-for-5 with a home run).
Arizona Rookie League – AZL Cubs (17-12)
The A-Cubs almost let one get away from them on Tuesday night as they beat the AZL Brewers 6-4. The Cubs built a six run lead on a three-run homer from Jhonny Pereda (2-for-4 with three RBI) while Michael Cruz was 3-for-3. Javier Assad allowed on two hits as he struck out three in five scoreless innings.
The AZL Cubs were idle on Wednesday.
Dominican Summer League – DSL Cubs (19-27)
D-1 did not have the answers for the DSL Pirates on Wednesday, as they lost 5-4. Franklin Tineo was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, while outfielder Moises Colasante went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple. Elvis Diaz had four strikeouts as he pitched four scoreless innings of relief.
It was a solid effort for D-1 on Thursday as they beat the DSL Pirates 6-1. Brailyn Marquez struck out four as he pitched five scoreless innings. Franklin Tineo moved to catcher and was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Dominican Summer League – DSL Cubs (26-20)
The bullpen did not hold on Wednesday as D-2 lost 4-1 to Dodgers-1. Alfredo Colorado had another good start as he allowed an earned run and had two strikeouts in four innings. Aramis Ademan was 2-for-4 with two doubles.
The pitching was off for D-2 on Thursday as they lost 7-4 to Dodgers-1. Carlos Ocampo struggled with his control as he walked five and allowed two earned runs in four innings. Richard Nunez was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs assigned RHP James Norwood to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans from the South bend Cubs; assigned RHP Jared Cheek, RHP Oscar De La Cruz, and INF Vimael Machin to the South Bend Cubs from the Eugene Emeralds; assigned LHP Tyler Peitzmeier to the Eugene Emeralds from the South Bend Cubs; assigned RHP Marc Huberman and RHP Dakota Mekkes to the Eugene Emeralds from the AZL Cubs.
The Iowa Cubs placed LHP Gerardo Concepcion on the 7-day disabled list; activated RHP Miguel Mejia from the 7-day disabled list. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed C Ian Rice on the 7-day disabled list.
- Donnie Dewees Photo – Larry Kave – Myrtle Beach Pelicans