Minor League Wrap: A Ballesteros blast can’t save Iowa

Carter Trice homers twice. Moisés Ballesteros homers once. Javier Assad starts a rehab stint

Everyone loses tonight. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blinded by the Louisville Bats (Reds), 4-2. Yes, I know bats aren’t really blind.

Jordan Wicks started and took the loss. Wicks surrendered three runs, two earned, on four hits over four innings. Wicks struck out four and walked two.

DH Moisés Ballesteros hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his ninth on the season. Ballesteros went 1 for 4.

Center fielder James Triantos was 3 for 4.

The Ballesteros home run.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were couldn’t reel in the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Marlins), 10-7. It was the Smokies’ sixth-straight loss.

Tyler Schlaffer started this game and allowed three runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out two and walked no one.

The Smokies had a 7-3 lead after five innings, but the Blue Wahoos chipped away against the bullpen to cut the deficit to 7-6 heading to the ninth. A.J. Puckett was summoned from the bullpen to get the save, but he got rocked four four runs on five hits over his inning. All four runs scored after two outs. Puckett did not walk or strike anyone out.

Center fielder Jaylen Palmer was 3 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice.

First baseman BJ Murray Jr. went 2 for 5 with three RBI.

Third baseman Pedro Ramirez hit a two-run triple in the second inning. Ramirez went 1 for 4 with a walk. He scored two runs.

The Ramirez triple.

A two-run single by Murray.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs fell in battle with the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 7-4.

Starter Kevin Valdez gave up four runs on four hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Cole Reynolds gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth and got the loss. His final line was three runs on four hits over one inning. One of those hits was a two-run home run. Reynolds walked one and struck out one. He also balked in a run.

Center fielder Carter Trice homered twice in a 2 for 4 game. Trice hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and a two-run home run in the sixth. Trice now has 13 home runs this year.

Once for Carter Trice.

Trice as nice.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hypnotized by the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 4-1.

Kevin Camacho started and took the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits over 4.2 innings. Camacho walked one and struck out three.

The Pelicans only run came on an errant pickoff throw while DH Leonel Espinoza was on third base. Espinoza was 1 for 4.

ACL Cubs

The ACL Cubs lost to the Athletics, 9-8 in eight innings.

Javier Assad started this game and Miguel Amaya was his catcher. Assad pitched three innings and allowed just one hit and no runs. Assad struck out six and walked no one.

Amaya caught the three innings Assad pitched and left the game when he did. Amaya was 0 for 2 with two strikeouts.

This ends the season for the ACL Cubs. They finish the year with a record of 19-41, which is the second-worst in the league.