Minor League Wrap: Connor Noland pitches Iowa past Columbus, 5-1

Some strong pitching to end the week. The Pelicans have a season-high 11-run inning

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs boarded and seized the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 5-1.

Connor Noland came off a short trip to the development list and dominated the Clippers over seven scoreless innings on the way to his ninth win. Noland allowed five hits. He struck out seven and walked no one.

A day after hitting two home runs, third baseman Ben Cowles homered again, this time with two men on in the sixth. It was Cowles seventh home run on the year. Cowles was 1 for 3.

Right fielder Owen Caissie had a two-run double earlier in the sixth inning. He was 1 for 4 and scored on Cowles’ blast.

Catcher Moisés Ballesteros was 2 for 4 with a double.

Caissie’s double.

Cowles’ three-run blast.

A nice diving catch by left fielder Darius Hill, who was 1 for 3 with a run scored at the plate.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were vassalized by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 6-1.

Ryan Gallagher turned in an impressive start in his Double-A debut. He made just one mistake, a solo home run in the third inning. Gallagher’s final line was one run on three hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out one.

Jake Brentz took over for Gallagher in the sixth inning and took the loss after allowing two runs on no hits, two walks and a hit batter over one-third of an inning. One of the two runs was unearned, but it was Brentz’s own error, so he earned it. Brentz did not strike anyone out.

Left fielder Andy Garriola tripled home right fielder Felix Stevens in the fifth inning for the Smokies only run. Garriola was 1 for 3 and Stevens went 3 for 3.

The Smokies managed just five hits. Shortstop Jefferson Rojas had the other one, going 1 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were swept by the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins), 1-0.

Yenrri Rojas was terrific in his High-A debut, but he got the loss anyway. Rojas allowed just one run on five hits over six innings. He struck out three, walked one and hit the first batter of the game, who would also score the only run of the game.

South Bend had just four hits. Right fielder Rafael Morel was 1 for 3 with a double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans shot a double-eagle against the Augusta Green Jackets (Braves), 14-2. The Pelicans sweep the three-game series with Augusta.

Starter Alfredo Romero pitched three innings and allowed no runs on just one hit. He walked two and struck out one.

Thomas Mangus relieved Romero and got his first professional win because Romero didn’t go five innings. Mangus tossed two scoreless innings and gave up just one hit. He walked one and struck out two.

The Pelicans blew this game open with an 11-run bottom of the seventh inning, sending 17 men to the plate.

Second baseman Ty Southisene was a perfect 2 for 2 with a double, a walk and he was hit by a pitch twice. Southisene also stole a base. He scored three times and drove in two. One with the double and once getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy went 2 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. He was also hit by a pitch. Lumpuy had two RBI and scored once.

The Pelicans scored 14 runs on just eight hits, thanks to seven walks, four hit batsmen and an error.

ACL Cubs

Off day. The Complex League Cubs’ season ends on Thursday.