It was a mixed bag to start the work week as pitching once again was the story with Jose Paulino and Ryan Kellogg propelling South Bend and Zach Hedges dominating for Tennessee.
On offense, Yasiel Balaguert carried Myrtle Beach on his broad shoulders while Kwang-Min Kwon had a good night in Arizona and Fernando Kelli ran wild in the Dominican Republic.
With four weeks to go in the minor league season, the Down on the Farm Report is heading into the stretch drive.
Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (34-15)
It was a high wire act in the ninth, but Eugene was able to come through with a 4-3 win over Vancouver. Bryan Hudson had a great start, allowing an earned run and striking out five in five innings. M.T. Minacci tossed two perfect innings and had a strikeout, but Dakota Mekkes was charged with two unearned run and struck out four in the final two innings.
The Ems took the lead in the fifth inning after Yeiler Peguero (3-for-4 with a double and two RBI) singled in Robert Garcia (3-for-5 with a double). A double from Wladimir Galindo (1-for-4 with a double and an RBI) brought in Peguero. D.J. Wilson (1-for-4 with a double) scored on a ground out in the sixth inning and Tyler Payne (1-for-3 with a double and an RBI) doubled in Sam Tidaback (1-for-4) with the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (71-43)
It was just another great performance for South Bend pitching on Monday as they defeated Great Lakes 3-1. Jose Paulino only gave up a solo home run as he struck out seven in seven innings. Greyfer Eregua had two strikeouts, and Dillon Maples collected his sixth save in the ninth.
The SB Cubs took advantage of the Loons’ miscues in the first inning as Connor Myers (0-for-3) scored after three errors. A single by P.J. Higgins (1-for-4 with two RBI) drove in Tyler Alamo (2-for-3 with a double) and Andruw Monasterio (1-for-3) in the fifth inning.
South Bend is making winning look routine, as they calmly took care of Great Lakes 4-1 on Tuesday. A single by Alberto Mineo (1-for-4 with an RBI) drove in Andruw Monasterio (1-for-4 with a double) and a base hit from Tyler Alamo (2-for-3 with three RBI) scored P.J. Higgins (1-for-2) and Mineo in the first inning. Another single by Alamo in the fourth inning plated Vimael Machin (1-for-4 with a double).
Ryan Kellogg was coolly efficient, striking out seven and allowing an earned run in seven innings. Carson Sands labored through 1.2 scoreless innings, with Jared Cheek getting the final out for his second save.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (64-51)
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were idle on Monday.
Myrtle Beach looked in trouble on Tuesday, but then dismantled Salem 7-4. Jake Stinnett did not do the Pelicans any favors as he allowed four earned runs and had six strikeouts in six innings. Tommy Thorpe held the Red Sox in check for 1.2 innings, and Ryan McNeil struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings for his 18th save.
Charcer Burks (1-for-4) came home on a single from Yasiel Balaguert (2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI) in the first inning. The Birds exploded for four runs in the sixth inning after Ian Rice (2-for-4 with an RBI) singled in David Bote (0-for-3). A double by Jeffrey Baez (2-for-3 with a double and an RBI) plated Balaguert. A base hit from Bryant Flete (2-for-4 with a double and two RBI) drove in Rice and Baez. In the eighth, Balaguert launched a solo home run and a double by Flete scored Rice.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (47-67)
It was too little, too late for Tennessee on Monday as the Smokies lost 5-3 to Montgomery. Brad Markey once again did his best but received little support as he allowed four runs (two earned) and had three strikeouts in five innings. Starling Peralta worked around two walks in two innings, and Jack Leathersich gave up an earned run in an inning. R.J. Alvarez set down the side in order in the ninth.
The Smokies did not get on the board until the eighth inning when Trey Martin (1-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base) singled in Gioskar Amaya (1-for-4) and Carlos Penalver (3-for-4) scored on a sacrifice fly. Ben Carhart (1-for-4 with a home run) added a solo home run in the ninth inning.
It was the type of performance expected out of the Smokies all season long as they dominated Montgomery 7-0 on Tuesday. Zach Hedges will get some consideration for Southern League Pitcher of the Week after striking out six and scattering four hits in seven innings. David Garner tossed a perfect inning, and Nick Sarianides worked around two hits in the ninth.
It was an efficient night for Tennessee as Daniel Lockhart (2-for-4 with an RBI) singled in Kelly Dugan (3-for-4 with a double) in the second inning and Jason Vosler (1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI) belted his first Double-A home run with Victor Caratini (3-for-5 with a double) on base in the third. A sacrifice fly brought in Caratini and a base hit from Carlos Penalver (2-for-4 with an RBI) scored David Freitas (1-for-4) in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Ian Happ (2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI) smacked a two-run homer with Trey Martin (2-for-5) on board.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (51-67)
It was a low scoring affair on Monday as Iowa was one better than Oklahoma City, winning 3-2. Drew Rucinski turned in a good performance as he allowed an earned run and struck out five in six innings. Miguel Mejia fanned three and gave up an earned run in two innings. Corey Black worked around a hit and a walk to strike out the side in the ninth and earned his fifth save.
Tim Federowicz (2-for-3 with a double and two RBI) singled in Kris Negron (2-for-4) in the first inning and Munenori Kawasaki (1-for-2 with a stolen base) scored on a sacrifice fly in the second. Back-to-back doubles by Jeimer Candelario (2-for-4 with a double) and Federowicz added another run in the sixth inning.
It doesn’t get much lower than Tuesday’s 6-0 loss to Oklahoma City, as Iowa was held to only one hit. That hit came by way of Jeimer Candelario (1-for-3). The I-Cubs had to empty the bullpen after Jordan Pries allowed five earned runs in just four innings. C.J. Riefenhauser was charged with an unearned run in 1.2 innings, and Felix Pena tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. Gerardo Concepcion and Pierce Johnson each contributed a scoreless inning.
Arizona Rookie League – AZL Cubs (20-17)
The AZL Cubs limited the AZL White Sox to five hits on Sunday evening in beating them 1-0. Matt Swarmer had six strikeouts in three innings while Andry Rondon fanned two in five innings. Kevin Zamudio (2-for-3 with an RBI) blasted a solo home run and Kwang-Min Kwon was 2-for-4.
On Monday, the A-Cubs could not overcome an early deficit in losing 7-6 to the AZL Athletics. Stephen Fife was less than impressive in a rehab start, allowing three earned runs and giving up seven hits in three innings. Gustavo Polanco went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the loss.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-1 Cubs (21-34)
It was a barn-burner on Monday as D-1 just fell short to the DSL Pirates 10-9. Yonathan Perlaza was 1-for-5 with a triple and three RBI. Miguel Estevez was charged with an unearned run in two innings of relief.
D-1 was limited to six hits on Tuesday as they were shutout by the DSL Pirates 8-0. Orian Nunez was 3-for-4 with two doubles in the loss. Elvis Diaz had six strikeouts as he tossed three scoreless innings in relief.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-2 Cubs (31-25)
It just wasn’t in the cards for D-2 on Monday in losing 9-3 to Diamondback-2. Alfredo Colorado went only two innings, allowing four earned runs. Fernando Kelli went 2-for-5 with an RBI and three stolen bases.
D-2 was in control from the very beginning on Tuesday as they beat Diamondbacks-2 7-1. Fernando Kelli set the tone from the leadoff spot by going 3-for-4 with a double and two stolen bases. Wilfre Delgado struck out five in 5.1 scoreless innings of relief.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Justin Grimm to the Iowa Cubs.
The Iowa Cubs activated INF/OF Juan Perez from the temporarily inactive list. The South Bend Cubs placed LHP Kyle Twomey on the 7-day disabled list; activated RHP Greyfer Eregua from the 7-day disabled list.