AAA

Iowa 7, St. Paul 3

Game Recap

It wasn’t a perfect night by the Cubs pitching staff. Starter Cory Abbott issued some walks, and Tommy Nance gave up a solo homer, but the two of them, along with Adam Morgan and Ryan Meisigner were missing bats throughout the night. The four pitchers combined to punch out sixteen men.

New I-Cubs outfielder Trayce Thompson has always had power, he’s just had difficulty accessing it in games at the AAA and MLB levels. It wasn’t an issue on Thursday night however. He doubled and launched a two-run homer as part of a three-hit night. Sergio Alcantara and Taylor Gushue joined him with multi-hit games.

Top Performers

• Trayce Thompson: 3-5, 2B, HR (1), R, 2 RBI (.333)
• Sergio Alcantara: 3-4, 2 R, RBI (.320)
• Taylor Gushue: 2-3, R, RBI, BB (.273)
• Cory Abbott: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K (W, 1-1, 4.09)
• Tommy Nance: 2 IP, H, R, 0 BB, 4 K (1.50)
• Adam Morgan: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)
• Ryan Meisinger: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (3.00)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Abiatal Avelino (.344/.389/.438) extended his hit streak to 7 games.

AA

Rockey City 2, Tennessee 0

Game Recap

Erich Uelmen and three relievers were good on Thursday. But the three Trash Pandas pitchers were better. Levi Jordan and Miguel Amaya did stay hot at the plate, but the rest of the lineup managed just one hit and two walks all night.

Top Performers

• Erich Uelmen: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K (L, 0-1, 3.24)
• Levi Jordan: 1-3, 2B, BB (.345)
• Miguel Amaya: 1-2, 2 BB (.348)

Advanced A

Beloit 10, South Bend 1

Game Recap

I don’t have much to say about a 10-1 loss that wasn’t broadcast on MiLB.TV. But Todd Johnson from Cubs Central was there in person, and had some nice things to report about starter Max Bain (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 6 K), despite the results.

In frightening news, 2020 2nd rounder Burl Carraway threw 22 pitches in the 8th, walking all five batters he faced. He threw as many wild pitches (2) as he did strikes. Hopefully this is just a blip in the road, and not a sign of injury or worse, the yips.

Top Performers

• Jacob Olson: 2-4, 2B, R (.240)
• Bryce Windham: 1-3, RBI (.179)

A

Myrtle Beach 4, Augusta 3

Game Recap

A nice bounceback effort from starter Scott Thoreson set the tone in this one. After struggling with control in his first outing, Thoreson walked just one batter on Thursday while working with far greater efficiency. He’s a big guy with a nice arm, and will eventually move to the pen, but the Cubs are letting him get in as many innings to work through his mechanics this year as they can.

Thoreson tossed 3.1 scoreless, striking out six. And then the Pelicans pen followed suit for the most part. Carlos Ocampo eventually gave up the lead in the top of the 8th, but Myrtle Beach battle back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to win. Matt Mervis drove in the tying run on a sac fly, and then Yohendrick Pinango drove home the winner with a single to left.

Top Performers

• Scott Thoreson: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (3.60)
• Blake Whitney: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (2.70)
• Jose Albertos: 2.1 IP, H, R, BB, 3 K (1.50)
• Bailey Reid: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (S, 2, 4.91)
• Yohendrick Pinango: 2-4, 2B, RBI (.214)
• Edmond Americaan: 1-4, HR (2), R, RBI (.182)
• Yeison Santana: 1-2, R, 2 BB (.125), CS (1)
• Jordan Nwogu: 1-3 (.136)
• Ed Howard: 0-2, RBI, BB, HBP (.143)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Speaking of the yips, a slimmed down Jose Albertos is throwing well for the Pelicans in the early going. He did give up a run last night, but the ball is coming out of his hand well and his stuff is reminiscent of a few years ago before he lost all semblance of control. It’s been a long road back, but hopefully Albertos is re-establishing himself as a legit prospect once again. He’s allowed just 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings so far, while striking out 7.