Down on the Farm: Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber promotions pay off early

After a bevy of roster moves over the last few days, the Chicago Cubs farm system has a lot of new faces in new places. But the results for many of those faces stayed the same.

Kris Bryant hit a home run in his Triple-A debut to help lift the I-Cubs to victory, as they improved to 29-0 when leading after seven innings. And this year’s first-round pick Kyle Schwarber had his first hit and RBI for Kane County in their rain-shortened win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Here’s a look at all the games on last night’s slate.

Iowa 6 –  El Paso  (Padres) 2

Kris Bryant homered in his Iowa debut, and Tsuyoshi Wada struck out seven over 6 2/3 innings as the I-Cubs (36-35) downed ElPaso (34-41) 6-2 Thursday night at Principal Park.

Wada entered the game ranking fourth in the PCL in strikeouts, and sixth in ERA. He allowed four hits and two earned runs in his ninth quality start of the year.

The I-Cubs were held hitless for the first three innings. Javy Baez and Chris Valaika started off the fourth with back-to-back knocks. Josh Vitters then continued his hot hitting by dropping a soft fly ball into right field to tie the game 1-1. Vitters had two hits, and is now .387 (12-for-31) with four RBI and four runs scored in his last eight games.

The I-Cubs would break the game open over the next three innings, scoring five times. Arismendy Alcantara went 2-for-5 and stole his 15th base of the season. He has reached base safely in 14 of his last 15 games, and is hitting .345 (19-for-55) in that stretch.

Kris Bryant would then add an insurance run in the seventh with his first home run in Triple-A. Bryant fell down in the count after taking two strikes, then battled back to run the count full before driving his first home run over the right field wall.

The Cubs are now 29-0 when leading after seven innings, one of only two teams in the PCL to hold that distinction.

Tennessee 4 – Lookouts (Dodgers) 3

Smokies third baseman Christian Villanueva, who was just recently sent down to Double-A, smacked an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give Tennessee (34-46) a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts (26-45).

After allowing the Lookouts to tie the game in the top half of the frame, the Smokies needed to rally in the bottom for the win, and that they did.

Stephen Bruno started the frame with a single, then moved to second on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Villanueva, celebrating his 23rd birthday, gave himself a present as he drove a 1-2 to pitch into center to score Bruno without a throw. The Smokies ended the first-half with a walk-off win as well.

Dae-Eun Rhee has a great start for the Smokies, allowing only one run and one hit over six innings. It was his seventh quality start of the season, although he didn’t factor in the decision.

Rubi Silva (3-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) led all Smokies with three hits, including a two-run home run.

Daytona 7 – Brevard County (Brewers) 4

With the Cubs down 4-3 in the seventh, Dan Vogelbach ripped a double to score Albert Almora to tie the game, and set in motion a big seventh inning to help lead the Cubs to victory.

After a walk to put two men on, Wilson Contreras hit a laser double to left score two and put the Cubs up 6-4. Daytona (27-42 overall)

Starling Peralta, who entered the game in relief in the fourth, got the much deserved win after 4 2/3 perfect frames while striking out four.

Eugene (Padres) 8 – Boise 7  F/11

The Hawks eliminated a 7-5 deficit in the ninth to send the game to extras, but weren’t able to pull out the extra-inning affair as Jalen Goree hit a line drive single through the drawn in infield to help lift the Emeralds to victory.

Justin Marra had a two-run home run for the Hawks, and David Bote added an RBI double to help tie the game in the third inning.

Trailing 5-4 in the seventh, Goree hit his first professional home run to give the Emeralds a 7-5 lead.

Boise starter Tyler Ihrig went six innings while striking out seven- including five straight at one point.

It was the Hawks fifth-straight extra inning loss, dating back to last season. Boise was unable to capitalize on the Emeralds’ five errors.