This is it, folks. If you have not made it to a minor league game this year, today is your final opportunity to see regular season action. Iowa and South Bend are both at home for those of you lucky enough to live near a Cubs’ affiliate, but it is probably worth looking up your nearest minor league team just to see if they might be in action today regardless of affiliation.
For Tennessee and Iowa, today is the final day of the season. For Myrtle Beach, South Bend, and Eugene, today is the final game before they dive into the playoffs in pursuit of a league championship. In the case of Myrtle Beach, make that a second consecutive league championship.[adinserter block=”1″][adinserter block=”10″]
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 5, Colorado Springs 1
For a few players in Iowa, today is the last day before they are likely to be called to Chicago.
Drew Rucinski: 7.2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K
Spencer Patton: 1 IP, 2 K
John Andreoli: 1 for 2, 2B, 3 BB, 2 SB. He has 41 steals now.
Albert Almora: 1 for 5, 2B
Bijan Rademacher: 2 for 4, 2B
Munenori Kawasaki: 2 for 4
Drew Rucinski: 1 for 3, 3B
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee 12, Montgomery 4
A ten run fourth provided all the runs the Smokies needed.
Michael Wagner: 3.1 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K
Juan Paniagua: 1 IP, 2 BB, 2 K
Chesny Young: 3 for 6, 2B
Kelly Dugan: 3 for 5, 2B
Ben Carhart: 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB
Jason Vosler: 2 for 4, 2B
Stephen Bruno: 3 for 5
Daniel Lockhart: 3 for 5, 2 2B
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High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 11, Potomac 4
The bats are certainly playoff ready.
James Pugliese: 5.2 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K
Daury Torrez: 2 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Ryan McNeil: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Charcer Burks: 3 for 6, 2B
Donnie Dewees: 3 for B, 2B
David Bote: 1 for 6, 2B
Yasiel Balaguert: 4 for 5, 2B, HR, BB. That is his 19th home run.
Daniel Spingola: 2 for 4, 2B, BB
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 3, Dayton 2
The Cubs did their scoring in the final two innings.
Justin Steele: 6 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 5 H, 5 K
Pedro Araujo: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
Dillon Maples: 1 IP, 1 K
P.J. Higgins: 2 for 4
Vimael Machin: 1 for 2, 2B
Carlos Sepulveda: 2 for 3
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Hillsboro 7, Eugene 6
The Emeralds briefly tied this playoff preview in the ninth.
Tyson Miller: 4 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 K
Zack Short: 2 for 4, 2B, BB
Wladimir Galindo: 2 for 5, 2B, HR. His next homer is his tenth.
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Other Notes
I’m not sure the Cubs need an official base stealer on their playoff roster, and I know they don’t need any more outfield depth, but despite that I am hoping the Cubs bring John Andreoli to Chicago in September anyway. This guy is sitting on an OBP of .372, a walk rate of 14.5%, and 41 steals. He is striking out a bit too much and has too little power to be a Major League regular (although he did hit 12 homers this season), but he’s put together a solid year that should set him up nicely for a job off the bench for someone in 2017.
Chesny Young had three hits yesterday, and that pushed his average up to .303. That might have clinched him the Southern League batting crown. Sebastian Elizaide of Pensacola is now in second with a .298; I believe it is possible for those two to switch positions, but it is unlikely. Victor Caratini remains in fourth at .294.