Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 26 (2024)

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were excommunicated by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 9-7.

Starter Trey Supak gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits over the first five innings. Supak struck out three, walked three and hit one batter.

Before today, Frankie Scalzo Jr. had not allowed an earned run all season. But he took over for Supak in the sixth inning and took the loss, giving up four runs on one hit and two walks after just one-third of an inning. However, three of the four runs were unearned and two of them scored after Scalzo was relieved by Riley Martin.

Left fielder Owen Caissie went 3 for 5 with a triple. He scored twice.

First baseman Moises Ballesteros continues to hit, going 2 for 4 with an RBI double and a walk. He also scored one run. On the downside, he committed the error that led to the three unearned runs in the sixth inning.

Since being promoted to Iowa, Ballesteros has hits in six of the seven games he’s played in. He’s had multiple hits in four of them.

Center fielder Bryce Windham was 2 for 5 with an RBI double in the second inning.

Second baseman Hayden Cantrelle went 2 for 3 with two runs scored.

Windham’s double.

A two-run double by Cole Roederer.

Ballesteros’ double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were vassalized by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 8-7.

Brandon Birdsell threw the first 5.2 innings and took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits. Two of the hits were solo home runs. Birdsell struck out four and walked no one, but he did hit a batter.

The Smokies were trailing 6-1 in the top of the ninth when they exploded for six runs to take the lead. They called on Eduarniel Nunez to get the save and he promptly retired the first two batters of the inning. But Nunez then gave up a two-out double, followed by a walk-off two-run home run by Tim Elko. Nunez struck out one.

The big blow in the rally in the ninth was a grand slam by DH Haydn McGeary. It was his seventh home run this season. McGeary went 1 for 4.

Shortstop Matt Shaw was 3 for 3 with a double and a sacrifice fly. He had two total RBI and he scored on McGeary’s blast. Shaw also stole a base.

Second baseman James Triantos was 3 for 4 with two steals. Triantos scored one run.

Kevin Alcántara played center field in his first game since June 7. He was 0 for 3 with a walk. He scored on McGeary’s grand slam.

McGeary’s slam.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs scored three runs in the top of the ninth and defanged the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 5-4.

Starter Erian Rodriguez gave up one run on three hits over four innings. He walked four and struck out two.

Yovanny Cabrera came on to pitch with one out and a man on in the eighth inning. He allowed the inherited runner to score before ending the inning. Then after South Bend retook the lead in the top of the ninth, Cabrera stayed on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning to get the win.

Cabrera’s final line was no runs on two hits over 1.2 innings. Cabrera walked two and struck out two.

Third baseman Rafael Morel capped off the three-run rally in the ninth with a two-out RBI single. Morel went 3 for 4 and scored twice.

DH Ed Howard had an RBI double in the ninth. He was 1 for 4 and scored on Morel’s single.

Center fielder Brett Bateman got his batting average back over .300 by going 3 for 5 with an RBI single in the eighth.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost to Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros), 4-3.

Yenrri Rojas started and gave up three runs in the top of the first inning. He finished the night allowing the three runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings. Rojas walked two and struck out two.

Third baseman Reginald Preciado had an RBI triple and later scored in the eighth inning. Preciado went 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Highlights.

ACL Cubs

Off day.