The Cubs signed outfielder Trayce Thompson to a minor league deal. Trayce played with the Iowa and Chicago Cubs previously in 2021. The Mets released Thompson a week ago. With Owen Caissie dealing with back issues, Iowa was down to three outfielders, although catcher Bryce Windham can play out there.
The Cubs also demoted catcher Caleb Knight from Triple-A Iowa to Double-A Tennessee.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were lost in the cacophony against the Nashville Sounds (Brewers), 11-2.
Brandon Birdsell made his Triple-A debut and took the loss. Birdsell gave up six runs, five earned, on ten hits over 4.1 innings. Birdsell struck out six and walked one.
Second baseman Chase Strumpf hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his seventh of the season. Strumpf went 2 for 4 and scored both Iowa runs.
First baseman Jake Hager went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI single in the top of the ninth.
Right fielder Cole Roederer was 2 for 4.
Strumpf’s home run. He’s red-hot right now.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies burned the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 9-5.
Starter Matthew Thompson collected the win after pitching five innings and giving up two runs on five hits. Thompson struck out five and walked one.
Center fielder Kevin Alcántara had two singles and a double tonight, going 3 for 5. Alcántara had one RBI and scored one run.
Shortstop Matt Shaw went 2 for 4 with a sacrifice fly and three total RBI. Shaw also scored one run. He also stole one base.
Right fielder Christian Franklin was 1 for 2 with three walks and two steals. Franklin scored four runs and drove in one.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs died valiantly against the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 5-4.
Nick Dean had the worst start of his brief pro career as he was rocked for five runs on six hits over just 2.2 innings. Dean walked three and struck out four.
Left fielder Rafael Morel is heating up with the weather. He connected on a two-run home run in the fifth inning, his sixth on the season and third in July already. Morel was 1 for 3 and was hit by a pitch.
Also, this is the first time that brothers Christopher and Rafael Morel both homered on the same night. So that’s a cool fun fact.
Catcher David Avita doubled twice in a 2 for 4 night.
Right fielder Parker Chavers was a perfect 1 for 1 with three walks and a stolen base. He scored twice.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were blasted by the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 9-5.
The Pelicans had a 5-1 lead after five innings, but starter Juan Bello and the bullpen couldn’t hold it and the offense couldn’t add on. Bello started the sixth inning, gave up hits to the first three batters and all three runners would score. The final line on Bello was four runs on five hits over 5+ innings. Bello struck out five and walked one.
Luis Rujano came on to pitch the seventh inning and protect a 5-4 lead. He faced the minimum in the seventh thanks to a double play, but he came on to pitch the eighth and couldn’t find the plate. Rujano took the loss after allowing four runs on no hits, four walks and a hit batsman over 1+ innings. Rujano did not strike anyone out.
Second baseman Cristian Hernandez was 2 for 5 with a triple. He drove in two runs and scored once.
Catcher Miguel Pabon had a two-run single as part of a four-run third inning. Pabon was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Highlights:
ACL Cubs
Lost to the Dodgers, 5-2.
