MINOR LEAGUE WRAP: MOISES BALLESTEROS LEADS SMOKIES PAST SHUCKERS, 8-6

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs couldn’t find shelter against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 7-4.

Thomas Pannone threw the first 5.1 innings and took the loss after giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits. Pannone struck out five and walked three.

The Storm Chasers blew this game open with a six-run sixth inning. Porter Hodge was charged with three runs in just a third of an inning and José Cuas gave up a three-run home run, only one run of which was charged to him. He did stay in the game and tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Iowa only had five hits tonight. Center fielder Darius Hill was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had an RBI groundout in the bottom of the ninth.

Second baseman David Bote was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once.

Iowa trailed 7-3 going into the bottom of the ninth and loaded the bases with no outs on three walks to start the inning. But they were only able to get one runner home.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies pried open the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers), 8-6.

Smokies starter Matthew Thompson shut out the Shuckers for five innings, but he walked the first three batters of the sixth inning and all three of those runners would come around to score off of reliever Chris Kachmar. Thompson’s final line was three runs on two hits and three walks over five innings. Thompson struck out four.

Kachmar blew the four-run lead, but he ended up getting the win. Kachmar allowed three runs, two earned, and three runners he inherited from Thompson scored. Kachmar gave up four hits. He didn’t walk anyone, but he did hit one batter. Kachmar struck out one.

Eduarniel Nunez pitched the top of the ninth inning and got the save. Nunez allowed just one baserunner, a two-out single. Nunez struck out one.

First baseman Moises Ballesteros drove in four runs today, going 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Ballesteros scored one run.

Second baseman James Triantos was 2 for 4 with a double and he was hit by a pitch. He scored three times.

Left fielder Cole Roederer hit an RBI single to cap off a four-run sixth inning. Roederer was 2 for 5.

Ballesteros’s double.

I don’t say this often, but a nice play on defense by Ballesteros.

RBI single for Ballesteros.

And an RBI single by Roederer.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs drilled the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics), 3-0.

Drew Gray had his best start of the season, giving South Bend four scoreless innings on just three hits. Gray struck out three and walked one.

Koen Moreno threw the next three innings and got the win. Moreno allowed just one hit, but he walked three while striking out one.

Jose Romero pitched the final two innings and collected the save. Romero gave up one walk and issued one walk. He did not strike anyone out.

Third baseman Pedro Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the third inning that would be all the runs that South Bend would need. Ramirez went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Shortstop Rafael Morel had an RBI single in the top of the ninth for an insurance run. He had a 1 for 4 game.

DH Jefferson Rojas was 0 for 4, ending his hit streak at 17 games.

Some Drew Gray highlights.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were punched out by the Salem Red Sox, 7-0.

Starter Marino Santy took the loss after he surrendered all seven runs on seven hits over four innings. Two of the seven runs were unearned. Santy walked two and struck out four.

Dominic Hambley had three scoreless innings of relief. He gave up two hits. Hambley walked two and struck out three.

The Pelicans had four hits. Shortstop Cristian Hernandez went 2 for 3.

2024-05-04T03:08:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd