Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Chase Strumpf walks it off and Ben Brown struggles

In addition to our Chicago Minor League Recaps, Prospect of the Week, and Prospect of the Month pieces, we'll also be starting a weekly mailbag and linking the form to ask your questions at the top of each daily recap. If you've got questions about specific prospects or the farm in general,ask them here!

Iowa Cubs (AAA)

The Iowa Cubs beat the Columbus Clippers 9-8 (Game One)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Columbus Clippers 15-2 (Game Two)

This was a tale of two baseball games. In game one of the double-header Chase Strumpf walked it off on the second pitch he saw. In game two, it was a different story as the Cubs pitchers walked just about every batter they saw, as the staff combined for a borderline impressive total of 16 walks. That’s not across both games, that’s just game two. Yikes. 

Nick Madrigal (2B) went 3-8 with a double, a triple, two walks, two runs scored and two RBI. I know Cubs fans don’t want to hear it, but he’s too good for this level right now. 

Jake Slaughter (3B) went 1-8 with a double, two walks, a run scored and an RBI.

Miguel Amaya (C) went a combined 3-6 with his fifth double of the season, two singles, three walks, two rBI and two runs scored. 

Chase Strumpf (2B) went a combined 1-6 with a home run, two walks, three RBI and two runs scored.

Yonathan Perlaza (OF) went a combined 4-9 with two doubles, two walks, three runs scored, three RBI and his seventh stolen base of the year. 

Nick Neidert (RHP) started the first game pithing five innings and giving up three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five. 

Brendon Little (LHP) wasn’t great in this one. He gave up two runs (one earned) over a single inning and gave up a hit and three walks while striking out two. 

Bailey Horn (LHP) finished out the game with a scoreless, hitless inning in which he struck out one and lowered his season ERA to 2.25.

Ben Brown (RHP) may actually be human. After a stellar May, Brown began June in the second game of the double-header by going only four innings and giving up six runs (three earned) on three hits and five walks. He only struck out four and gave up two homers in this one. Hopefully that means he got all of the bad out of his system before he gets his next start.

Cam Sanders (RHP) came in and was even worse. He gave up five earned runs on two hits and five walks but he did it in 0.2 innings. 

Jordan Holloway (RHP) made his debut at AAA this season, skipping all the way from Myrtle Beach where he’d been dominating and unfortunately he joined the walk parade as well. He maintained a 0.00 ERA as none of his runs were earned but he went 0.2 innings and while he did strike out two and didn’t give up a hit, he did concede three walks. 

Tennessee Smokies (AA)

The Tennessee Smokies beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 7-5

It was another tough game for Cubs starting pitching prospects as Porter Hodge was unable to turn in a game as good as his May was. The bats tried to do their part as they outhit the Lookouts 8-5 but they couldn’t overcome the massive 5th inning the Lookouts had when they rattled off six runs and ended up taking the loss. 

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF) went 0-2 in this one but it doesn’t tell the whole story as he also drew three walks, stole his 12th base of the year and scored twice. 

Pablo Aliendo (C) went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. He also unfortunately had his second passed ball of the season.

Haydn McGeary (1B) went 2-4 with two singles, an RBI and a run scored.

Luis Vazquez (SS) has been quiet for a little while but today he went 1-3 with a double, a run scored and his third stolen base of the year. 

BJ Murray (3B) went 2-4 with a triple and an RBI.

Porter Hodge (RHP) was rough in this one. He went 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four. 

Luke Little (LHP) pitched two innings and while he only gave up a single hit and racked up three strikeouts, he also walked two and allowed a run to score. 

South Bend Cubs (A+)

The South Bend Cubs lost to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 4-3

This was a rough outing for South Bend. Aside from Brandon Birdsell’s unfortunate start, the relief pitching settled in nicely and finished the game out without allowing a walk or a hit, but unfortunately the damage had already been done. The bats were unable to pick up the slack as only one player had a multi-hit game and no one had an extra base hit. That’s a recipe for disaster and why the Cubs took the L in this one. 

James Triantos (2B) went 2-4 with two singles and two RBI but he was also caught stealing. 

Brandon Birdsell (RHP) went 3.2 innings and while he was able to limit the walks to two, he gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out five. 

Didier Vargas (LHP) finished up the game going an inning of perfect baseball and striking out one. 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A)

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans had their game with the Salem Red Sox suspended due to rain

In addition to our Chicago Minor League Recaps, Prospect of the Week, and Prospect of the Month pieces, we'll also be starting a weekly mailbag and linking the form to ask your questions at the top of each daily recap. If you've got questions about specific prospects or the farm in general,ask them here!

More Chicago Cubs News