This is not one of those minor league highlight videos that you will enjoy watching. I wouldn’t blame you if you skipped the video altogether.
Yesterday in Double A, Albert Almora, Jr. and Bijan Rademachergot into a nasty collision in left center field that stopped play for eight minutes and resulted in both players leaving the game. It sounds like there are no dire injuries, no broken bones or dislocated joints or anything of that nature, but it is probably too soon to say that either player is just fine.
Most scarily, even though it looked more like a glancing blow than a hard hit, Almora was holding his head as soon as he hit the ground and that is never good. Almora, you may recall, missed time earlier this year with whiplash symptoms. We should know more about the condition of each player today.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa had the day off. Tennessee – The Smokies kept coming back in this one, but never quite got over the hump. They lost 6-4. Myrtle Beach – Two runs in the eighth proved to be the difference as Myrtle Beach won 6-4. South Bend – The Cubs fell way behind early and never got back into it. They lost 8-1.
Performances of Note
[Tennessee] Three Smokie pitchers took the mound, and all three gave up a home run. Felix Pena had a rough game (5.1 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 3 BB, 3 K) as the starter before handing off to Michael Wagner and Starling Peralta.
[Tennessee] Willson Contreras doubled twice and finished 2 for 4 to raise his line to .307/.369/.472.
[Tennessee] Dan Vogelbach also had 2 hits to go with his one walk.
[Myrtle Beach] Jonathan Martinez gave up all 3 runs he allowed on a first inning homer. He pitched a total of 6 innings (88 pitches) and allowed just those 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 2. James Pugliese then struck out 5 while allowing a run on 4 hits in his 3 innings of relief.
[Myrtle Beach] Chesny Young continued his strong start to High A with 2 more hits and 2 more walks.
[Myrtle Beach] Carlos Penalver tripled, his first, and finished 1 for 4.
[South Bend] Most of the offense came from just three guys. Gioskar Amaya, Jason Vosler, and Jesse Hodges each doubled and finished with 2 hits apiece.
[South Bend] Zach Hedges struggled badly early as he allowed 7 runs in the first two innings, but then he settled down and pitched 6 total. He finished having allowed 8 runs (7 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3.
Other News
Remember Daniel Lewis? The Cubs signed the right hander as a non-drafted free agent following the 2014 draft and after they watched him touch 96 mph in the Cape Code League. Lewis’s path to professional baseball is a very unusual one in that he spent four years on active duty in the military following high school, and then picked up a baseball again. Like two year layoff guy Jacob Hannemann, it may be a season or so before Lewis finally shakes the rust off and we really see what he may be capable of.
On that note, Daniel Lewis debuted on Sunday and appeared in his second game for South Bend yesterday. His debut was rough, but yesterday he allowed a hit and struck out one in one inning on the mound. He joins a South Bend pitching staff that is deep, talented, and very intriguing. It will be interesting to track his progress as he gets back into swing of playing baseball daily.
Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...
The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...
Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...
Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....
Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...
The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...
It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...
The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...
On Friday at 6:40 PM ET, Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) take on Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at PNC Park.Find out how to watch the Pittsburgh-Boston matchup below.When is Pirates vs. Red Sox and...
Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) host George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the San...
Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...
In a series opener on Friday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) face Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (10-8), with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.Keep reading to find out how to...
On Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers will begin.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET Twins Starting Pitcher:...
A three-game series featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will begin on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals Starting...
The Baltimore Orioles will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET...
NEWSLETTER
This is not one of those minor league highlight videos that you will enjoy watching. I wouldn’t blame you if you skipped the video altogether.
