Cubs Minor League Wrap: Happy 4th of July!

Jonny Long hits 2 HR in Iowa’s win. Knoxville and Myrtle Beach are also winners.

Right-hander Chris Kachmar was promoted fromm Double-A Knoxville to Triple-A Iowa, replacing the recalled Jordan Wicks.

Smokies right-hander Mitchell Tyranski was promoted off the Development List.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs drained the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 7-2.

Chris Kachmar started and got the win in his first Triple-A start this year. Kachmar allowed just one run on four hits over five innings. He struck out nine and walked three.

First baseman Jonathon Long clubbed two two-run home runs tonight. The first came in the sixth inning and the second came in the top of the ninth. Long went 2 for 4 with a walk. He now has 13 home runs this year.

Left fielder Owen Caissie was 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice.

Long’s first home run.

A two-run double for third baseman Dixon Machado. Machado was 1 for 2 with two walks.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies sent the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels) into orbit, 8-3.

Tyler Schlaffer made his first Double-A start and earned his first Double-A win after giving up two runs, but just one earned, on five hits over six innings. Schlaffer walked two and struck out four.

Tyler Santana went the rest of the way for a three-inning save. Santana allowed one run on three hits. He struck out five and walked nobody.

Left fielder Jordan Nwogu drove in the first three runs of the game with a sacrifice fly in the first and a two-run single in the third inning. Nwogu was 1 for 4 with the sac fly.

Third baseman BJ Murray Jr. also had three RBI. The first came on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth and he tacked on a two-run double in the eighth. Murray went 1 for 2 with two walks and he was hit by a pitch.

Catcher Casey Opitz was 2 for 4 and scored once.

Right fielder Jaylen Palmer was 2 for 3 with a walk and a steal. He scored twice.

Nwogu’s two-run single.

Some Tyler Schlaffer highlights.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs lost to the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 9-4.

Erian Rodriguez started and took the loss. Rodriguez gave up seven runs on four hits over 3.2 innings. However, six of the seven runs were unearned as part of a seven-run fourth inning for the Chiefs. Rodriguez struggled with control as he walked four and hit three batters. He struck out one.

Second baseman Jefferson Rojas was the hitting star for South Bend, going 2 for 4 with a walk, a double and a two-run home run in the fifth inning. It was Rojas’ seventh home run this year.

The Rojas home run.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans tied up the Charleston RiverDogs (Royals), 8-6.

Jostin Florentino continues to impress as today he allowed just one run on seven hits over five innings. Florentino struck out six and walked one. He also hit a batter.

Charles Hurley coughed up the lead when he gave up five runs, four earned, in 1.1 innings. But Brayden Spears shut down the River Dogs over 2.2 innings and got the win after the Pelicans retook the league. Spears allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two.

DH Jose Escobar hit a two-run home run in the third inning, his fourth on the year. Escobar had a big game, going 3 for 4 with a double, the home run and a walk. Escobar scored two runs. He also stole a base.

First baseman Matt Halbach hit a solo home run in the third inning, his sixth on the season. Halbach went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Catcher Owen Ayers hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh for the Pelicans to retake the lead. Ayers went 1 for 4 with a sacrifice fly for three total RBI.

In his first game in low-A, left fielder Derik Alcantara was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. He scored one run.

Second baseman Ty Southisene went 0 for 1 with four walks. He scored once.

Escobar’s home run.

Halbach’s home run.

All six strikeouts for Florentino.

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Rockies, 4-2.