Minor League Wrap: South Bend rallies past Ft. Wayne, 11-9

South Bend was the only winner tonight. Moisés Ballesteros and Owen Caissie homer in Iowa’s loss.

The big news is that the City of Myrtle Beach and the Pelicans came to an agreement on a new lease that will keep the Pelicans in Myrtle Beach for another 30 years.

The details appear to be that Myrtle Beach agreed to take control of the stadium (the county owned part of it before) and agreed to pay for the necessary upgrades. The Pelicans agreed to an increase in their rent.

Outfielder Greg Allen is back with the Iowa Cubs on a minor league deal. He had opted out of his contract a week ago.

Iowa catcher Caleb Knight goes back on the Development List.

Outfielder Eli Lovich joins the Low-A Pelicans from the ACL Cubs.

In case you missed it yesterday. Shōta Imanaga pitched two scoreless innings in a rehab assignment for the ACL Cubs.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were frightened by the Louisville Bats (Reds), 8-5.

The I-Cubs staked starter Connor Noland to a four-run lead in the bottom of the first, but he gave it all back, allowing five runs on ten hits over 5.2 innings. Noland walked one batter and struck out four.

The loss went to Tom Cosgrove, who surrendered one run on two hits over 1.2 innings. Cosgrove struck out two and walked no one.

Catcher Moisés Ballesteros hit a solo home run in the first inning, his seventh. Ballesteros went 2 for 5.

Later in the first, right fielder Owen Caissie connected for his ninth home run with two men on. Caissie finished the game 1 for 3 with a walk and the three RBI.

Left fielder Kevin Alcántara tied the game back up with an RBI double in the sixth inning. Alcántara went 2 for 4.

DH Carlos Pérez doubled twice and scored twice in a 2 for 4 game.

Here’s both home runs.

Alcántara just missed a home run.

He also made this defensive play.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were pulped by the Columbus Clingstones (Braves), 7-6.

Starter Grant Kipp got tagged for five runs in the second inning and ended up with the loss. The final line on Kipp was five runs on two hits and three walks over 1.2 innings. Three of the runs scored after Robert Kwiatkowski relieved Kipp in the second inning. Kipp struck out two.

Third baseman Pedro Ramirez hit hit third home run of the season with the bases empty in the fourth inning. Ramirez went 3 for 4.

Right fielder Parker Chavers hit a three-run double in the top of the first inning. He went 1 for 4.

DH Corey Joyce was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs dented the Ft. Wayne Tincaps (Padres), 11-9.

Starter Brooks Caple lasted three innings and allowed five runs on six hits, including two home runs. Caple walked two, hit one and struck out two.

Chase Watkins kept the game close with 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits. Watkins struck out two and did not walk anyone, but he hit one batter.

Johzan Oquendo pitched the eighth and ninth innings without allowing a run and got the win because South Bend plated three runs in the top of the ninth. Oquendo struck out five and walked no one.

Center fielder Carter Trice gave the Cubs a 10-9 lead with a two-run home run in the top of the ninth. It was Trice’s seventh home run of the year and fourth in June already. Trice went 1 for 5 with a walk.

Rehabbing right fielder Felix Stevens added an insurance run with a solo home run later in the ninth. Stevens went 2 for 6 with a double and the home run. Stevens scored twice.

Catcher Ariel Armas was 3 for 5 with two doubles and four runs batted in. He also stole a base.

First baseman Edgar Alvarez went 3 for 6. Alvarez scored twice and drove in two.

Everyone in the South Bend lineup had at least one hit.

Trice and Stevens’ home runs.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were pinched by the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers), 9-4.

Starter Yenrri Rojas threw five innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Ethan Bell relieved Rojas in the sixth inning. He took the loss after he got rocked for three runs on four hits in the one inning he pitched. Bell walked one and struck out one.

Center fielder Leonel Espinoza was 3 for 5 wit a double and an RBI single in the sixth inning. Espinoza also scored once.

First baseman Cameron Sisneros went 1 for 2 with three walks and a steal. He hit a two-run single and walked with the bases loaded for three RBI.

Left fielder Eli Lovich was 2 for 4 in his Pelicans debut.

Lovich’s first Pelicans hit.

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Diamondbacks 10-3.