Its playoff time for the Cubs affiliates as the early games produced mixed results. South Bend used home runs from Tyler Alamo and Matt Rose to even their series, while Myrtle Beach got some great pitching from Trevor Clifton in their opener. Robert Garcia also went deep, but it wasn’t enough for Eugene.
To find out more, take a look at today’s Down on the Farm Report.
Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds
Pitching for Eugene could not contain Hillsboro on Wednesday as the Emeralds lost 4-3 in 10 innings. Manuel Rondon was touched for two earned runs and had two strikeouts in five innings. Michael Knighton held serve as he tossed two scoreless innings. But Dakota Mekkes was charged with an unearned run in two innings, and Michael Rucker gave up an earned run in 0.2 innings.
Robert Garcia (1-for-3 with a home run) tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning with a solo home run. A double by Zack Short (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI) drove in Wladimir Galindo (0-for-3) in the fourth, and Yeiler Peguero (1-for-5 with an RBI) singled in Kevonte Mitchell (1-for-3 with a stolen base) in the fifth inning.
Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs
On Wednesday, it took 11 innings, but the South Bend Cubs bowed to West Michigan 3-2. Oscar De La Cruz got the opening night start and allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out seven in six innings. John Williamson struck out two in 0.2 innings, and Pedro Araujo fanned three in 2.1 innings. Manager Jimmy Gonzalez left Jared Cheek in for one batter too many. Cheek gave up an earned run and had three strikeouts in 1.2 innings.
Consecutive singles by Eddy Julio Martinez (2-for-5), Isaac Paredes (1-for-5), and Alberto Mineo (1-for-5 with an RBI) led to a run in the second inning, and a wild pitch scored Connor Myers (1-for-4) in the fifth.
Some home cooking is what South Bend seemed to need, as they stormed past West Michigan 6-2 on Thursday. It looked like another tight affair as the SB Cubs tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning when Eloy Jimenez (1-for-3) scored on a sacrifice fly and Tyler Alamo (2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI) doubled in Eddy Julio Martinez (3-for-4). South Bend broke the tie in the sixth on a solo home run from Alamo. The SB Cubs then put the game away in the seventh inning when Matt Rose (1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI) launched a three-run homer with Carlos Sepulveda (2-for-5) and P.J. Higgins (1-for-4 with a double and a stolen base) on board.
Jose Paulino settled down after allowing two earned runs in the second inning to strike out two in six innings. Casey Bloomquist went the rest of the way, striking out two in three innings for the save.
High Class–A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans
It almost seemed too easy for Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, as the Pelicans flat-out destroyed Salem 8-1. Trevor Clifton made the game never in doubt as he allowed an earned run and struck out six in six innings. Tommy Nance had three punch-outs in two perfect innings and Scott Effross fanned two in the ninth.
The highlight for the Pelicans was a six-run third inning as Jeffrey Baez led the way going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. David Bote drove in two runs as he went 2-for-4, while Donnie Dewees (2-for-4 with an RBI) and Andrew Ely (2-for-4 with a double and an RBI) also had multi-hit games. Charcer Burks (1-for-4 with a stolen base) and Bryant Flete (1-for-4) each had an RBI.
The tables were turned on the Birds on Thursday as they lost 5-1 to Salem. Preston Morrison had a rough time as he was hammered for five earned runs in 4.2 innings while striking out four batters. Daniel Lewis went 1.1 scoreless innings. James Norwood struck out a batter in two innings.
The only run for Myrtle Beach came in the fourth inning after David Bote (1-for-3 with an RBI) singled in Charcer Burks (2-for-5with a double).
News and Notes
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed RHP Craig Brooks on the reserve list; activated RHP Daniel Lewis from the temporarily inactive list.