Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 28—Pelicans clinch playoff spot

Iowa right-hander Spencer Turnbull opted out of his contract and was released.

A reminder that tomorrow night’s MLW, and all Wraps on Fridays for the rest of the season, will be quite late. Although with Iowa in Las Vegas, it was likely to be late anyways. But even later.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were strafed by the Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics), 8-4.

Connor Noland got rocked for eight runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings. Two of those hits were home runs by Junior Perez, accounting for six runs. Four of the eight runs Noland allowed were unearned. Noland walked three and struck out three.

Center fielder James Triantos hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, his fifth on the season. Triantos went 2 for 4.

First baseman Jonathon Long was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Triantos’ home run.

RBI single for Long.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies overthrew the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 7-3 in ten innings.

Starter Connor Schultz had a good night, pitching six innings and allowing just two unearned runs on four hits. He struck out two and walked no one.

Yency Almonte pitched two scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Tyler Santana pitched the bottom of the ninth inning, held the Barons scoreless and got the win when the Smokies exploded for five runs in the top of the tenth. Santana surrendered a two-out infield single, but nothing else. He struck out one.

After first baseman BJ Murray Jr. and left fielder Jordan Nwogu hit RBI singles in the top of the tenth, catcher Pablo Aliendo drove them both home on a three-run home run. Aliendo now has 11 home runs this season. He was 2 for 5 and scored three times.

Murray went 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. Nwogu was 2 for 5.

Second baseman Pedro Ramirez went 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI single. Ramirez scored one run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs lost to the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 5-2.

Starter Nazier Mulé took the loss after giving up three runs on four hits over three innings. Mulé walked five, hit one batter and struck out three.

South Bend had just two hits tonight, but one of them was a two-run double by shortstop Cristian Hernandez in the sixth inning. Hernandez went 1 for 4.

Beloit finally won, so South Bend falls a game out of first place in the second half with nine games to go.

Hernandez’s double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans clinched a second-half title with a 7-0 win over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros).

Pierce Coppola made his first professional start and allowed just one hit over three innings. Coppola struck out five and walked three.

The win went to Edwardo Melendez in relief since Coppola didn’t go five innings. Melendez also pitched three innings and gave up one hit. Melendez walked two and struck out three.

Nate Spears tossed the next two innings, allowing one hit. He walked two and struck out two.

Finally, Joel Sierra pitched the ninth, completed the shutout, and clinched the playoff berth. Sierra gave up one infield single. He struck out two and walked no one.

First baseman Matt Halbach had an RBI double in the top of the first inning and that was pretty much all The Birds needed. Halbach went 2 for 3 with a walk and three total runs batted in.

Center fielder Kane Kepley was 1 for 3 with a double, two walks and three runs scored. He stole two bases, giving him 14 in just 20 games.

Second baseman Ty Southisene went 1 for 3 with a walk and he was hit by a pitch. Southisene also scored three runs and had two stolen bases.

After finishing the first half with the worst record in the Carolina League, the Pelicans are 40-16 with nine games left to play. They will face off against the Columbia Fireflies in a best-of-three series after the season. Columbia won the first half, but they are in last place in the second half.

Halbach’s double.

The final out.

Manager Yovanny Cuevas’ post-game comments.