Cubs Minor League News: Howard with 3 RBIs, Missaki impressive, Merryweather rehab, more |
Playing .500 ball isn't what you want this time of year, but it has been the theme for the Cubs Minor League system this week. For the third time in four days, the Cubs system battled as they delivered another 1-1 showing to open their weekend.
The Cubs season has been over for quite a while now, but that hasn't stopped Iowa from delivering some of its best baseball the past few weeks. Despite playing from behind early in the game, the Iowa offense picked up the slack as they used a four-run sixth inning to take the lead before winning 6-4. Trey Supak has been one of the Cubs' more consistent starters in both AA and AAA this season, and that continued in this game. Although the Cubs' right-hander may not have the best stuff, he knows how to pitch with it, as he allowed four runs in five innings. All four runs came from former Cubs farmhands, including two in the first, as a PJ Higgins double gave the Bats an early 2-0 lead. Iowa managed to get one of those runs back on a second-inning Darius Hill single, but with Higgins delivering a second RBI double in the third, mixed with an Edwin Rios single, the Bats held a 4-1 lead. Those were the final runs of the game for Louisville, as the Cubs' pitching got locked in late. Still trailing by that 4-1 score in the fifth, Kevin Alcantara got the comeback bid started as his RBI single pulled the Cubs within 4-2. Alcantara drives in Howard with a double down the line! pic.twitter.com/pQWozxQCOh Then came the sixth inning when the Cubs pulled closer on a bases loaded walk from Chase Strumpf and managed to take the lead to cap off the scoring. That hit came off the bat of Ed Howard, who laced a bases-clearing RBI double to put the Cubs in front 6-4. ED HOWARD! BASES CLEARING! pic.twitter.com/eQ9KDdh4Y5 Howard has gotten off to a solid start since his promotion to AAA as that hit drove in his first three RBIs. Still holding a 6-4 lead entering the ninth, it was up to Daniel Palencia to finish things off, and he did that as he struck out a pair in a scoreless ninth to secure his fifth save. The Cubs had nine hits in the game as Moises Ballesteros, Howard, and Reivaj Garcia led the way with two. Iowa also saw Julian Merryweather get back on the mound for the first outing of his rehab outing as he tossed a scoreless sixth to lower his ERA to 1.93. 1, 2, 3 Ws in a row!! pic.twitter.com/js0cgRngxr
If this week indicates how the postseason will go next week, expect a great series from these teams. Through four games this week, the Barons and the Smokies have exchanged blows, with each team winning two of the first four games. Tonight, it was Birmingham's turn to get back on the winning side as they used some early offense and strong pitching to fend off the high-powered Smokies. Joe Nahas made the start for the Smokies as this turned into a bullpen game. Nahas wasn't sharp, as he allowed four runs in 2 2/3 before handing things off to Daniel Missaki and Zac Leigh. That duo was impressive as they combined to toss 6 1/3 scoreless innings, walking five and striking out 13, while Missaki had nine strikeouts in his 4 1/3. It's Freaky Friday for Daniel Missaki 🗓️ All of the damage off Nahas came in the first three innings and that all started with the DJ Gladney sacrifice fly in the first to put the Barons in front 1-0. It was a lead they would never give up, as this was a rare game where the Smokies trailed from start to finish. Looking to extend their lead in the third, Michael Turner came away with the big blow of the night as his massive bases-loaded double broke the game open and gave the Barons a 4-0 lead. Those were the final runs of the night for Birmingham, but with Riley Gowins striking out six across five innings and only allowing two runs, those four runs would be enough. Both of the runs Gowins allowed came in his final inning as Casey Opitz connected for his second homer of the week to cut the deficit in half 4-2. Tennesse then added a run in the ninth off a Fabian Pertuz double as they pulled within 4-3 and had the winning run standing on second. Tennessee would load the bases shortly after on a Parker Chavers walk, but that was as close as they would get as the Barons held on for the 4-3 win. The Smokies had six hits in the loss, with Luis Verdugo leading the way with two. Can't win them all. | @zips3mincarwashIOWA CUBS 6 - LOUISVILLE BATS 4
BIRMINGHAM BARONS 4 - TENNESSEE SMOKIES 3
The 28-year-old turns back the clock, allowing no hits and striking out 9 for @smokiesbaseball -- his most K's in a MiLB game since 2014 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/bM1unl1Tox
Box Score: https://t.co/ajC75xFZla pic.twitter.com/lKCwNXYezk
