Yesterday Kyle Schwarberwas the star of the Futures Game, hitting a two run triple and earning MVP honors. Now he heads back to… Iowa? Chicago? We’ll find out. Iowa is the most likely, but if Miguel Montero does wind up needing to miss some games anything is possible.
The Futures Game was not the only game played over weekend, though. There were several other good prospect performances to note.
[Iowa] Armando Rivero walked 2 and struck out 2 in his 2 scoreless innings of relief. He got off to a rough start this season (9.00 ERA in April), but has pitched pretty well lately.
[Tennessee] Stephen Bruno also doubled and finished 2 for 2 with a walk.
[Tennessee] The best game came from Elliot Soto. The shortstop walked 3 times, singled twice, and stole his 5th base of the season.
[Myrtle Beach] Jonathan Martinez walked a pair and struck out a pair in his 7 innings on the hill. He allowed just one run on 4 hits. Fernando Cruz struck out one and allowed nothing in the final 2 frames.
[Myrtle Beach] A Trey Martin double was the only extra base hit for the Pelicans.
[South Bend] Michael Wagner started his year as a reliever for Iowa and Tennessee, but in late June he was sent to South Bend to become a starter. He made his 3rd start on Friday, and over 5 innings he allowed 4 runs on 6 hits while striking out 3.
[South Bend] Kevin Encarnacion doubled and finished 3 for 4. He also stole his 2nd base of the season. With the exception of the stolen base, Rashad Crawford matched him.
[Arizona] Shawon Dunston doubled and finished with 2 hits and a walk. He is in Arizona on a rehab assignment.
[Arizona] Joe Martarano doubled 3 times and finished 3 for 4.
Scores From Saturday
Iowa – The Cubs split this doubleheader. They lost the first game 3-2, but won the second contest 3-2. Tennessee – The Smokies got some excellent pitching in this 6-1 win. Myrtle Beach – This game was close for most of the contest, but the Pelicans pulled away at the end for a 9-0 win. It was also suspended by lightening and did complete until Sunday. South Bend – South Bend also won a shutout, 2-0. Eugene – Eugene took the early lead, but lost in the end 4-1. Arizona – The AZL Cubs had the day off.
Performances of Note
[Iowa] Carlos Pimentel struck out 2 and walked 2 while allowing 3 runs on 5 hits over 6 innings in the first game.
[Iowa] Tsuyoshi Wada allowed 2 runs (one earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks over 4 innings in Game Two. Ben Rowan pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief.
[Iowa] Junior Lake homered for the 3rd time and finished Game One with 2 hits. In Game Two he homered again, his 4th, and also stole his 7th base. Taylor Davis also had 2 hits in the first one, followed a 1 for 4 game in the second.
[Iowa] Arismendy Alcantara hit his 8th triple for his only hit of the day in Game One. He followed that up with a double and a 2 hit performance in Game Two.
[Iowa] Rubi Silva finished Game Two 2 for 3.
[Tennessee] Ryan Williams struck out 5 while allowing one run on 4 hits in this 6 inning start.
[Tennessee] Jacob Hannemann doubled, stole his 10th base, and finished 2 for 4. Billy McKinney also doubled and finished 2 for 4.
[Tennessee] Bryant Flete and Willson Contreras each finished with 2 hits.
[Myrtle Beach] Four pitchers contributed to this shutout win. Daury Torrez (3.1 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) started the game. He was followed by Michael Heesh (2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 K), David Garner (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K), and Dave Berg (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K).
[Myrtle Beach] Kevin Brown homered (his 2nd) and finished 2 for 5. Victor Caratini also had 2 hits, as did Trey Martin.
[South Bend] Tyler Ihrig pitched 7.1 innings in which he scattered 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. Corbin Hoffner pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.
[South Bend] Jeffrey Baez hit his 3rd triple of the season. Charcer Burks contributed his 2nd homer.
[Eugene] Ryan Kellogg pitched 2 innings to start the game, allowing a hit and 2 walks, and struck out one.
[Eugene] Pitching in relief, Greyfer Eregua struck out 4 over 4 innings while walking one and allowing one hit.
[Eugene] Ian Happ doubled twice and stole 2 bases (putting him at 9 on the season) as he finished 2 for 4.
[Eugene] Frandy Delarosa and Ian Rice each also had 2 hits.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa was enjoying their All-Star break. Tennessee – The Smokies posted crooked numbers in three innings on their way to this 8-2 win. Myrtle Beach – The Pelicans lost a close one 2-1. South Bend – The Cubs offense struggled as South Bend lost 3-1. Eugene – Eugene did not get on the board until the ninth inning, and they lost 15-2. Arizona – Even though they were outhit, it was the AZL Cubs who walked away the 1-0 winners.
Performances of Note
[Tennessee] Pierce Johnson walked 4, struck out 4, and allowed a run on 5 hits over the first 5 innings.
[Tennessee] Cael Brockmeyer returned to Tennessee and doubled in his pinch hit at bat.
[Tennessee] Billy McKinney reached on a hit and a walk and scored twice. Stephen Bruno did not have a hit or a walk, but he still stole his 8th base and scored twice.
[Myrtle Beach] Jeremy Null allowed 2 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings while striking out one.
[Myrtle Beach] Chesny Young doubled and finished 2 for 3.
[South Bend] Trevor Clifton struck out 8 over 6.2 innings while allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks.
[South Bend] Dillon Maples struck out 2 and walked one while pitching the final 2.1 innings in hitless fashion.
[South Bend] Rashad Crawford singled twice to finish 2 for 3.
[Eugene] Carson Sands pitched 2.2 innings and gave up 6 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks, but all of those runs were unearned. He struck out one.
[Eugene] Ian Happ had another 2 hit game, this time including his first triple. Ian Rice doubled and finished with 2 hits as well. Joe Martarano just finished with 2 hits.
[Arizona] Austyn Willis struck out 4 and scattered 3 hits and 2 walks over the first 5 scoreless innings of this game.
[Arizona] Darryl Wilson doubled and scored the Cubs’ only run.
Other News
The minor league Clash of Caps is still underway, and Tennessee is still among the leaders. They are down to number six, though. In first place is still the Cubs’ former High A affiliate Daytona with their new Tortugas identity. And I have to say, the Tortugas do have a nice logo.
The US team, let by Schwarber, won the Futures Game 10-1. Schwarber finished 1 for 3 with the triple, caught Ketel Marte stealing at second, allowed one passed ball, was at the receiving end of a Michael Conforto outfield assist, and joined second baseman Tony Kemp in pulling off a double play. Carl Edwards Jr. pitched 0.2 innings of relief in which he allowed 2 hits and struck out one.
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NEWSLETTER
Yesterday Kyle Schwarber was the star of the Futures Game, hitting a two run triple and earning MVP honors. Now he heads back to… Iowa? Chicago? We’ll find out. Iowa is the most likely, but if Miguel Montero does wind up needing to miss some games anything is possible.
