Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Ferris dominates again and Crow-Armstrong walks it off

Tennessee Smokies (AA)

The Tennessee Smokies beat the Birmingham Barons 10-9

This game was like an alternate reality version of the Iowa Cubs game. Tennessee was down 7-4 going into the top of the ninth and they gave up two more runs in the top to make it 9-4. Then they scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth and walked it off on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s bases-loaded two-RBI “single” (if it hadn’t ended the game that ball had triple written all over it).

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF) went 1-5 with a walk, but his one hit was the big one. Having watched the major league squad’s inability to hit with runners in scoring position in clutch moments it was nice to see the Cubs top prospect come up big in that spot, especially after being held hitless to that point. 

Cole Roederer (OF) went 1-4 with a double and a walk.

Chase Strumpf (2B) went 2-4 with two singles, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

Haydn McGeary (1B) went hitless in this one again, but he drew three walks and scored twice. Since being called up to AA he’s only hitting .230 but he has a .356 OBP due to games like this one.

Pablo Aliendo (C) had the best game in the stat sheet for the Smokies in this one. The 21-year-old catcher went 2-4 with a double and a home run, adding in a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored.

DJ Herz (LHP) had another mediocre outing. He only managed to go two innings and it took him 62 pitches to do it. He gave up two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three and raised his AA ERA to 5.14.

Blake Whitney (RHP) on the other hand was solid again. He went two innings and it took him less than half as many pitches to do so as he didn’t walk any or give up any runs or hits while striking out just one.