It was an abbreviated schedule to end the week, but the Eugene Emeralds were blowing the competition away thanks to Wladimir Galindo and Trent Giambrone. Oscar De La Cruz continues to make headlines in South Bend and Yasiel Balaguert powered Myrtle Beach. And in the rookie league, Rafael Mejia and Kevin Zamudio went deep.
For the long and short of it, take a look inside today’s Down on the Farm Report.
Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (36-15)
On Tuesday night, Eugene simply stepped on the gas and then coasted, blowing away Salem-Keizer 11-5. Wladimir Galindo was a wrecking crew, going 4-for-6 with a double, a home run and three RBI. Kevonte Mitchell (3-for-5 with two RBI), Yeiler Peguero (2-for-6), and Chris Pieters (2-for-5 with an RBI) all had multi-hit games while Tyler Payne (1-for-4 with two RBI) joined Galindo and Mitchell with multiple RBI.
Erling Moreno was part of the equation, striking out three and limiting the Volcanoes to a walk and hit in five innings. Alex Santana was another story, allowing four runs (three earned) in an inning. Tyler Peitzmeier earned the long save by striking out five and being charged with an unearned run in three innings.
It was another blowout for the Emeralds Wednesday night as they pummeled Salem-Keizer 12-4. Trent Giambrone had a big night, as the 5-foot-8, 25th round selection played first base and went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two RBI. Kevonte Mitchell also had a solo home run and was 2-for-4, while Tyler Payne (2-for-5) had a multi-hit night. Zach Short (1-for-2 with a double and for RBI) and Stephen Bruno (1-for-2 with two RBI) had multiple RBI.
The draft choices also made a difference on the mound as fifth round pick Bailey Clark struck out four and allowed an earned run in four innings. Fourth round selection Tyson Miller gave up two earned runs in three innings, while rehabbing Josh Conway yielded an earned run in an inning. Wyatt Short continued to dominate as he had a strikeout in a perfect inning.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (72-43)
The South Bend Cubs were idle on Wednesday.
The score was a lot closer than the actual game, as South Bend beat Dayton 7-4 on Thursday. Oscar De La Cruz gave up only a walk and no-hit the Dragons through five innings, striking out six batters. Tanner Griggs surrendered two hits but struck out two in three innings. Dillon Maples had all kinds of trouble in the ninth, allowing four earned runs on three hits and a walk.
The Cubs put the game away in the first inning after Eloy Jimenez (1-for-4 with an RBI) singled in P.J. Higgins (1-for-4 with a double) and Alberto Mineo (1-for-5) scored on a ground out. A base hit by Andruw Monasterio (2-for-4 with two RBI) drove in Jimenez and Matt Rose (1-for-3 with a double). Connor Myers (2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base) came home on a sacrifice fly in the fourth, Monasterio scored on a ground out in the seventh, and Myers doubled in Rose in the eighth.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (65-52)
The Pelicans had their winning streak snapped at 10 on Wednesday as they lost 2-1 to Salem in 10 innings. Trevor Clifton was nicked for an unearned run while striking out five in six innings. Daury Torrez went 1.2 innings and had two strikeouts. Pedro Araujo was charged with an earned run in 1.2 innings, but left two inherited runners for Craig Brooks, who allowed one to score in 0.2 innings. The only run for Myrtle Beach came in the second inning on a solo home run from Jeffrey Baez (1-for-2 with a home run and a stolen base).
Myrtle Beach put a little more distance between themselves and their nearest pursuers on Thursday by beating Salem 3-2. Preston Morrison allowed only a solo home run as he struck out four in 6.2 innings. Tommy Nance tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. Although he gave up an earned run, Ryan McNeil had two strikeouts in the ninth for his 19th save.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies (47-67)
The Tennessee Smokies were idle on Wednesday.
Thursday, the Smokies game with the Pensacola was suspended due to ran with two outs in the bottom of the second inning with the Blue Wahoos leading 1-0.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (51-68)
The I-Cubs got a little better on Wednesday afternoon with seven hits, but it was still an embarrassing 7-0 loss to Oklahoma City. Jeimer Candelario once again led the offense by going 3-for-4. Logan Watkins (1-for-4), Bijan Rademacher (1-for-4), Kris Negron (1-for-4) and Munenori Kawasaki (1-for-3) also had hits.
Trevor Cahill lasted only 36 pitches as he served up two home runs, allowed three earned runs, and struck out four in two innings. Jake Buchanan followed and was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings. Armando Rivero had three strikeouts in two innings, and Jose Rosario pitched an inning.
The Iowa Cubs were idle on Thursday.
Arizona Rookie League – AZL Cubs (20-19)
The A-Cubs’ pitching simply could not handle the AZL Indians on Tuesday night, losing 8-4. Javier Assad had seven strikeouts but allowed three earned runs in three innings. Kevin Zamudio was 2-for-4 with a double and a home run, while Rafael Mejia (1-for-4 with two RBI) belted a two-run homer.
In a slugfest on Wednesday, the AZL Cubs fell just short in losing 10-8 to the AZL Padres. Rafael Mejia (1-for-2 with three RBI) went yard for the second straight night with a three-run homer. Holden Cammack had two strikeouts in a scoreless inning of relief.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-1 Cubs (22-35)
In a pitcher’s duel on Wednesday, D-1 was doubled up by the DSL Indians, losing 2-1. Brailyn Marquez was charged with an unearned run and had five strikeouts in five innings. Jose Gutierrez went 3-for-5 with a double in the loss.
D-1 had a little bit more in the late innings on Thursday than the DSL Indians, winning 4-2. Jonathan Sierra was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Andres Bonalde started and had two strikeouts in four scoreless innings.
Dominican Summer League – DSL-2 Cubs (32-26)
D-2 scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh on Wednesday to beat Mariners-1 5-4. Fidel Matos (1-for-3 with two RBI) blasted a two-run homer and Fernando Kelli (0-for-3) stole home. Fauris Guerrero had three strikeouts in 4.1 scoreless innings of relief.
The bats for D-2 have grown cold as they managed only four hits in a 7-1 loss to Mariners-1 on Thursday. Catcher Daniel Diaz drove in the only run as he was 1-for-3. Faustino Carrera allowed three earned runs and had four strikeouts in six innings.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs assigned C Carlos Diaz to the AZL Cubs.
The DSL Cubs-2 placed RHP Luis Escanio on the restricted list.