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

Iowa Cubs (AAA)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Nashville Sounds 7-4

The Cubs never held a lead in this one. For the first eight innings every time Nashville would score, Iowa was able to answer right back at the top of the next inning but their luck came to an end when Nashville scored their final three runs of the game in the eighth inning to put them away for good. 

Darius Hill (OF) went 1-3 with a single and added a couple of walks.

Yonathan Perlaza (OF) went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored. 

Miguel Amaya (C) went 2-3 with a homer and a single while adding a walk two RBI and a run scored. Amaya has an OPS of 1.068 since being demoted to AAA upon the return of Yan Gomes. If you’re interested in seeing a deadline deal that could get Amaya some more time to learn at the major league level check back tomorrow at 11 AM for my piece discussing 5 deals the Cubs could make if they continue to struggle.  

Nick Neidert (RHP) Had a rough start in this one. He went 2.2 innings, and while he was able to limit his walks, he did give up three runs on a whopping eight hits and had to be lifted before the end of the third inning. 

Chris Clarke (RHP) came in for a solid relief appearance. He finished off the third inning and then pitched an additional three innings of his own. He only gave up one run on three hits while striking out three as well.

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.

South Bend Cubs (A+)

The South Bend Cubs lost to the Dayton Dragons 3-1

Today was one of the worst offensive days for the South Bend Cubs all season. They managed only three hits and two walks and of those five baserunners one was picked off first and two others were erased by double plays. While it looked for a moment like they may steal it in the bottom of the sixth when they pulled ahead 1-0 they immediately allowed a run in the seventh and then another two in the eighth. 

Scott McKeon (3B) was the lone “bright spot”. He went 1-4 with a single and then stole second base, but he also struck out twice and left three men on base. 

Connor Noland (RHP) was the starter in this one and he was great. He went five scoreless innings and only gave up two hits and no walks as he struck out six. A 9th-round pick in last year’s draft out of Arkansas, Noland could be another pitcher to watch in this Cubs system as he improved his season ERA to 2.51 and has now struck out more than a batter an inning this year.

Adam Laskey (LHP) came in as the final reliever to pitch the eighth and ninth inning in this one. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out four across those two innings, but he did give up four hits and two runs (one earned) to take the L in this one.