Minor League Wrap: Jordan Wicks, Iowa shut down Clippers, 9-3

The I-Cubs blast Columbus. Myrtle Beach stages a comeback win.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs boarded and seized the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 9-3.

It was a strong start today for Jordan Wicks, who allowed just one run on three hits over five innings for his first win of the year. Wicks struck out six and walked one.

Catcher Carlos Pérez smashed a three-run home run as part of a six-run second inning, his 17th blast of the season. Pérez went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Center fielder Christian Franklin was 4 for 5. He hit a two-run single in the second and an RBI single in the third for three total runs batted in. Franklin scored twice as well.

Right fielder Kevin Alcántara was 2 for 4 with RBI singles in the first and second inning. Alcántara scored once.

The Jaguar’s first RBI single.

Christian Franklin had a great day.

Pêrez’s moonshot.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were persecuted by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 2-1.

Starter Sam Armstrong gave up two runs in the fourth inning and that was enough to take the loss. Armstrong’s line was two runs on four hits over four innings. He walked one and struck out one.

Shortstop Reivaj Garcia walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth, stole second and was singled home by catcher Casey Opitz. Garcia went 2 for 3 with a double and the walk. Opitz was 1 for 3.

Second baseman Corey Joyce was 2 for 4.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were harvested by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 6-1.

Connor Schultz threw the first three innings and one batter of the fourth. He allowed one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked no one.

Evan Taylor took over for Schultz in the fourth inning and allowed the inherited runner to score. He then gave up two runs of his own in the fifth to get the loss. Taylor’s final line was two runs, one earned, on two hits over two innings. Taylor walked three and struck out three.

South Bend’s only run came when DH Carter Trice walked, stole second, stole third and then scored when the throw to third went wild. Trice was 1 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans turned off the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 8-7.

Starter Hayden Frank got tagged for five runs on six hits over four innings. Two of those six hits were home runs. Frank walked three and struck out two.

The Pelicans trailed this game 7-3 after five innings but fought their way back for the win. Dominic Hambley threw the seventh and eighth innings and retired all six batters he faced for the win. Hambley struck out two.

Brayden Spears retired the side in order in the ninth to claim the save. Spears did not have a strikeout.

DH Owen Ayers tripled home center fielder Leonel Espinoza in the eighth inning to put the Pelicans up 8-7. Ayers went 2 for 5 with two RBI.

Espinoza went 1 for 3 with a double and two walks. He scored twice.

Left fielder Jose Escobar went 3 for 5. He scored once and drove in one.

First baseman Matt Halbach was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Some nice defense by second baseman Ty Southisene.

An RBI triple by shortstop Eriandys Ramon. He was 1 for 5.

Ayers’ go-ahead triple.

ACL Cubs

Off day.