Minor League Wrap: Pedro Ramirez walks it off; Alexey Lumpuy hits for the cycle

It’s July 10, but the Cubs system saved the fireworks for today. A walkoff home run, a cycle, three home runs in South Bend and Owen Caissie stays hot.

Right-hander Thomas Mangus, the Cubs’ 18th-round pick last year, was promoted to Low-A Myrtle Beach from Mesa.

Right-hander Eli Morgan started another rehab assignment with the ACL Cubs.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were banished from paradise by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 2-1.

Chris Kachmar was the victim of non-support as he took the loss after allowing just two runs on three hits over five innings. One hit was a solo home run by Edouard Julien. Kachmar struck out five, walked one and hit one batter.

Iowa’s only run came on a home run by left fielder Owen Caissie, his 19th on the year. That ties him with teammate Carlos Pérez for second in the International League this year. Caissie went 1 for 4.

First baseman Jonathon Long was 2 for 4 with a double.

Yes, Caissie has been on a tear lately.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies burnt the Montgomery Biscuits, 4-3 on a walk-off home run by Pedro Ramirez.

Tyler Schlaffer turned in a strong start, giving up just one run on five hits over five innings. Schlaffer walked two, hit one batter and struck out four.

AJ Puckett pitched the top of the ninth and got the win when Ramirez walked it off. Puckett allowed a one-out single, but no other baserunners. He did not have a strikeout.

Ramirez’s home run came with one out and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth. It was Ramirez’s seventh home run this year. He was 1 for 5 tonight.

BJ Murray Jr. was 1 for 2 and opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning. He also walked once and was hit by a pitch. Murray scored one run.

DH Ethan Hearn went 2 for 3 with an RBI double in the bottom of the first. Hearn also walked once.

Ramirez’s walk off blast went a long way. I wish they had Statcast in Double-A.

Hearn’s double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs skinned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 12-3.

Brandon Birdsell was strong again in a rehab assignment, getting the win after giving up two runs on four hits over five innings. Birdsell’s only real mistake was a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Birdsell walked two and struck out three.

Third baseman Drew Bowser hit his second home run of the year with the bases empty in the sixth inning. Bowser went 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Shortstop Jefferson Rojas clubbed a solo home run in the seventh inning, his ninth. Rojas went 2 for 6. He scored twice and drove in two runs.

DH Cameron Sisneros hit the third South Bend home run of the game in the ninth inning with a man on. Sisneros has six home runs this year and three with South Bend. He went 2 for 5.

Second baseman Cristian Hernandez was 4 for 5 with a two-run double in the fifth and two steals. He scored once.

Catcher Miguel Pabon went 2 for 4 with a walk. He had two RBI and scored one run.

Center fielder Rafael Morel was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Hernandez’s two-run double.

Bowser’s blast.

Rojas stuck his home run just inside the foul pole.

The Sisneros home run went off the scoreboard.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans doused the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 7-3.

Yenrri Rojas started and got the win. Rojas surrendered two runs on just three hits over five innings. Rojas walked three and struck out five.

Thomas Mangus gave up a run on three walks and no hits in one inning in his Pelicans debut. He did not strike anyone out.

Right fielder Alex Lumpuy became the first Pelican in 1999 to hit for the cycle. He even did it in descending order of difficulty—triple, home run, double, single. The home run came in the third inning with the bases empty. Lumpuy was 4 for 4 with two steals, four runs scored and two RBI.

Second baseman Christian Olivo hit a two-run double in the fourth inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.

Here are all four Lumpuy hits.

Olivo’s double.

ACL Cubs

Losing to the Rockies, 6-1 in the sixth.