Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Matt Mervis looks good and Alexander Canario is back

The Cubs minor league affiliates are back in action and there were some very interesting players in the lineups, but some even more interesting omissions.

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Iowa Cubs (AAA) (51-36)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Columbus Clippers 4-0

It looks like Iowa may have wanted to extend their All-Star Break after throwing up a goose egg in this one. Not only were they unable to score, they only had three hits and drew a single walk while managing to strike out 13 times. Hopefully, we’ll see them put it together for the game today and score some runs. 

Matt Mervis (DH) went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk. It would’ve been nice to see him have a stretch like Madrigal where he forced his way back to the big league club but his confidence certainly appears to be shaken.

Alexander Canario (RF) did make his return and you’ve got to love to see it. He went 0-for-3 but he provides the kind of power that the Cubs desperately need in their lineup.

Riley Thompson (RHP) had a good start. He went five innings and only gave up one run on one hit and three walks while striking out three.

Adrian Sampson (RHP) continued to be shaky in his return. He went the final three innings and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one. 

Tennessee Smokies (AA) (45-37)

The Tennessee Smokies lost to the Montgomery Biscuits 7-4

The Smokies came out of the gate slow as well but they at least managed to score some runs. The most surprising thing in this one was that Pete Crow-Armstrong was nowhere to be found in the lineup which could mean nothing, but it could also mean he’s going to be promoted very soon to AAA Iowa. 

Pablo Aliendo (C) went 2-for-4 with two singles.

BJ Murray (3B) went 2-for-5 with two singles.

Bradlee Beesley (OF) went 2-for-5 with a double, a single, a stolen base and a run scored. 

Scott McKeon (3B) went 1-for-4 with his second home run of the season.

Levi Jordan (SS) went 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. The 27-year-old also did his best Elly De La Cruz impression as he stole three bases. 

Walker Powell (RHP) lasted four innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits, a walk and six strikeouts. 

Joe Nahas (RHP) threw 1.1 perfect innings with two strikeouts. 

Cayne Ueckert (RHP) threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts. 

South Bend Cubs (A+) (36-46)

The South Bend Cubs beat the Quad Cities River Bandits 6-1

South Bend is now just one game away from being single-digit games under .500. That sounds like I’m trolling them, but I’m not. We need these guys at the lower levels to get used to showing some grit and perseverance and turning a mediocre team into a winning one because sometimes that’s what happens at the major league level.

Ezequiel Pagan (OF) went 2-for-4 with his third homer of the season as well as a single.

Moises Ballesteros (C) went 1-for-2 with a double and two walks.

Luis Verdugo (3B) went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in the first inning, his second homer of the season. 

Michael Arias (RHP) continued to be spectacular. He went four innings and only gave up one unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out one. 

Max Bain (RHP) took the W as he went two scoreless innings and only allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two. 

Eduarniel Nunez (RHP) pitched two perfect innings and struck out one.

Sheldon Reed (RHP) closed out the game with a scoreless, hitless ninth inning in which he only walked one and struck out one as well. 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A) (48-34)

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat the Carolina Mudcats 6-5

I feel like most games we’ve discussed in the recaps have been multi-run victories in one way or another so it does my heart good to see the Pelicans come away with a close win in this one (even if it was created by allowing two runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game). 

Andy Garriola (OF) went 1-for-4 with a double.

Jefferson Rojas (SS) went 1-for-4 with his seventh double of the season. The 18-year-old shortstop has really held his own so far this season and is an interesting player to keep an eye on. 

David Avitia (C) went 1-for-3 with a three run homer in this one and scored another run. 

Drew Gray (LHP) threw three scoreless innings and only gave up one hit but did walk three while striking out three. He maintained his sterling 0.00 ERA at Myrtle Beach across two starts now. 

Keon Moreno (RHP) went three innings and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four. 

Kenyi Perez (RHP) went 2.2 innings and didn’t really run into trouble until the 9th. He gave up three runs on two hits and four walks and only struck out one. 

Scott Kobos (LHP) The Pelicans turned to Kobos to get the final out but he gave up a hit to tie the game and blow the save but ended up taking the win when the Pelicans scored the game-winner in the bottom of the 9th.

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