Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Matt Mervis homers and 2023 draft picks rack up hits

Iowa Cubs (AAA) (59-44)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Toledo Mud Hens 9-8 (Game One)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Toledo Mud Hens 11-4 (Game Two)

Iowa made up their rainout from Wednesday yesterday with a doubleheader and unfortunately came out as losers in both. In game one they went down early and battled back to a 9-8 score in the bottom of the sixth but couldn’t rally to tie it up. The second game wasn’t as close. The Cubs took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second but promptly gave it back in the top of the third and would give up ten runs between the third and fifth innings to lose again. 

Jared Young (1B) went a combined 3-for-5 with three singles, a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored across both games. 

Chase Strumpf (2B) went 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk, and two RBI.

Matt Mervis (1B) went a combined 1-for-4 with a three-run home run, three walks, and four runs scored. 

Alexander Canario (OF) went a combined 1-for-6 with a three-run home run, a walk, four RBI and a run scored.

Nick Neidert (RHP) was rough in this one. He lasted three innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on nine hits, a walk and only struck out one. 

Josh Roberson (RHP) made his Iowa debut by throwing one inning in which he gave up one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one. 

Keegan Thompson (RHP) fell back into his old ways as he gave up three runs over two innings on three hits, a walk, and three strikeouts. He gave up two home runs. 

Tennessee Smokies (AA) (56-41)

The Tennessee Smokies had their game against the Chattanooga Lookouts rained out

South Bend Cubs (A+) (45-53)

The South Bend Cubs beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 13-4

This game was never in question. The Cubs took a 6-0 lead in the first inning and then expanded it to 8-0 in the fifth, 11-0 in the seventh, and finally 13-0 in the eighth. The Timber Rattlers scored four runs in the top of the ninth but they’d still fall well short of making a game out of it as the Cubs took the victory. 

Ezequiel Pagan (OF) went 2-for-5  with a double, a single, a walk, two RBI and a run scored. 

Moises Ballesteros (C) went 2-for-6 with two singles, three RBI and two runs scored. 

Felix Stevens (OF) went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, four RBI, and a run scored.

Josh Rivera (SS) had a solid game as he went 1-for-3 with a single, three walks, and three runs scored. 

Christian Franklin (OF) went 2-for-3 with two singles, two walks and two runs scored. 

Brandon Birdsell (RHP) was stellar. He went five scoreless innings and only allowed two hits and no walks while striking out five to lower his ERA on the year to a sparkling 2.36.