Minor League Chicago Cubs Recap: July 28

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost 9-8 to Indianapolis (Pirates). Iowa was defeated in a six-game series for the first time since 2021.

Beginner Kyle McGowin kept the game close, allowing just one run on four hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out five and walked one.

However, Indianapolis scored nine runs in the sixth inning, and all of McGowin’s runs, except for a leadoff home run, came after two outs. Riley Martin relieved McGowin with no one on base and two outs in the sixth and allowed all six batters he faced to hit a home run — three hits and three singles — a home run, a double and a single.

Zac Leigh relieved Martin and got the first four batters he faced to reach the ball – three singles and a hit by pitch. That’s ten consecutive batters who reached the ball after two were out. Leigh finally got a fly to left to end the carnage.

Kaleb Kilian pitched three innings in a rehab assignment. Kilian gave up no runs and no hits. He walked two and struck out no batters.

Iowa trailed Indianapolis 9-3 going into the ninth inning when they made a big comeback that fell short. The big blow was a huge pinch-hit grand slam by Moses BallesterosIt was Ballesteros’ 14th home run and five with Iowa.

Two batters later, midfielder Trayce Thompson hit a solo home run. It was his second with the I-Cubs and 18th overall. Thompson was 2 for 5.

In the seventh inning, shortstop Fabian Pertuz hit his second home run in as many days with a man. Pertuz has five home runs this year at four levels. Pertuz was 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

DH Owen Caissie was 3 for 5 with an RBI double.

Pertuz’s homerun.

Ballesteros’ pinch-hit grand slam. A 426-foot blast.

Thompson’s went only 130 yards.

Smokies from Tennessee

The Tennessee Smokies were annexed by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 5-2.

Antonio Santos gave up a three-run homerun in the first inning and was given the loss. Santos allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked no batters.

Short stop Matt Shaw hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, his 13th of the year. Shaw was 1 for 4.

First baseman Jonathan Lang was 3 for 4 with a double and one run scored.

DH Haydn McGeary was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI single in the second inning.

Right fielder Ezequiel pagan was 2 for 3

Second baseman James Triantos was 2 for 4 with a triple.

Matt Shaw’s homerun.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were defeated by the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals) 6-5 in ten innings.

Erian Rodriguez got off to a strong start, throwing five scoreless innings and allowing just four hits. Rodriguez struck out three and walked no batters.

Yovanny Cabrera allowed a grand slam in the top of the tenth and was given the loss after South Bend could score only three in the bottom of the inning. Cabrera’s final rule was four runs, two earned, on the slam alone. He struck out one and walked no one.

Short stop Jefferson Red hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, his fifth of the season. Rojas was 1 for 5.

On the day his brother was traded, right fielder Raphael Morel hit a three-run home run in the tenth inning. It was Morel’s seventh home run of the year. He also went 1 for 5.

Third baseman Pedro Ramirez went 2 for 5 with a triple. He scored on Rojas’ homerun.

Second baseman Reivaj Garcia was 2 to 4.

The Rojas home run.

Morel’s home run.

Pelicans of Myrtle Beach

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans steamrolled the Augusta GreenJackets (Braves) 8-5. The Pelicans won the five-game series. (One game was canceled due to rain and was not replayed.)

JP Wheat and gave up three runs on just one hit in 2.2 innings. Control was the issue here, as Wheat walked four and hit one batter. He struck out one.

The profit went to Angel Hernandez with 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. Hernandez also did not allow a hit. He gave up one hit and hit one while striking out six.

Right fielder Jacob Wetzel hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, his eighth of the year. Wetzel was 1 for 3 with two walks. He scored twice.

Third baseman Eriandys Ramon doubled twice in a 3-for-5 night. He scored one run. In three games since joining Myrtle Beach, Ramon is 6-for-11 (.545) with two doubles and a triple.

Midfielder Leonel Espinoza was 2 for 5 with a double and one run scored.

DH Alfonsin Rosario went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and one run scored.

First baseman Anderson Suriel was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored once and drove in one.

Myrtle Beach jumped on rehabbing Major Leaguer Hurston Waldrep for four runs in two innings.

Everyone in the Birds’ lineup had at least one hit.