Cam Sanders (photo by Rikk Carlson)

AAA

Buffalo 7, Iowa 2 (Game 1)

Buffalo 1, Iowa 0 (Game 2)

Game Recap

Buffalo was able to jump on game one starter Adrian Sampson early and often (4 R, 2 IP). The veteran became Iowa’s most consistent starter over the course of the 2021 season, and continued to look solid after a summons to Chicago to finish the year, but he just didn’t have crisp stuff or good location in this game. Lefty Stephen Gonsalves came in and shut the door with five Ks in just two innings of work, but the damage was done, and the offense never responded.

In game two, Mark Leiter, Jr. shined in his Iowa debut, striking out seven in four innings. Eric Stout followed with two very good innings of his own. Leiter was take the hard luck 1-0 loss, however, as his counterpart was just a tad better on the day.

The I-Cubs offense managed just 4 hits in each contest.

Top Performers

Mark Leiter, Jr.: 4 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 7 K (L, 0-1)Eric Stout: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 4 KStephen Gonsalves: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 5 KRobel García: 2-6, RBIDixon Machado: 1-3, R, SB (3)Donnie Dewees: 1-3, R, SB (1)Trent Giambrone: 1-3, 2B

AA

Tennessee 8, Chatanooga 0

Game Recap

It was tough to get a great view with no functioning CF camera and an offset one behind home plate, but Cam Sanders appeared to have the ball dancing on its way to the plate. Even from the odd angles it was clear his curveball was fooling hitters and he threw several good fastballs by guys as well. He finished with eight punchouts in four shutout innings. A great start for an intriguing arm looking to break on to the 40-man roster this season.

Sanders four scoreless was followed up by five scoreless from the Smokies pen. Bryan Hudson fired two perfect innings, striking out four, to earn the win.

There are 5 arms in TN who will be Rule 5 eligible this fall that the Cubs will likely need to make roster room for:
Ryan Jensen
Cam Sanders
Riley Thompson
Bryan Hudson
Brandon Hughes

Espinoza, Marquez are already on the 40.

All of them may end up in pen, but it’s a fun staff. https://t.co/Ek7BPcX683

April 9, 2022

There were no real standouts on offense, it was just and all around effort, with eight of the nine batters reaching base at least once, and those eight all had at least one run scored or one RBI as well.

Top Performers

Cam Sanders: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 KBryan Hudson: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (W, 1-0)Javier Assad: 2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 2 KBryce Ball: 2-4, R, RBIChase Strumpf: 1-2, R, 2 BBDelvin Zinn: 1-3, 2B, R, RBIYonathan Perlaza: 1-4, 2 RBILuis Vazquez: 0-1, 2 R, 2 BB, HBPNelson Velazquez: 0-2, R, 2 BB, CS (1)

High-A

Quad Cities 4, South Bend 3 (10 Innings)

Game Recap

Quad Cities jumped out to an early 3-0 lead off Chris Clarke, but a two-run blast by often overlooked infield prospect Fabian Pertuz put the Cubs back within striking distance. The bullpen kept them in it, with lefty Dalton Stambaugh using an effective changeup to keep River Bandits hitters off balance over 3.1 shutout innings of work. Hunter Bigge followed with a pair of impressive innings, working in the mid-90s, complimented by a sharp breaking ball.

https://t.co/r1eybfK3mv

April 9, 2022

South Bend managed to work some great ABs in the bottom of the 9th. Still down one, Matt Mervis drew a leadoff walk on a full count, then Pertuz jumped on a first pitch fastball for a single. One out later Bradlee Beesley was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Ed Howard. The former 1st rounder fell behind 0-2 as the Quad Cities closer worked the outer edge, but Howard would fight off some pitches and then managed to lift a sac fly to left which tied the game. Owen Caissie nearly beat out a grounder for a walkoff infield single, but the game would go to extras, where unfortunately the Cubs failed to win it.

Top Performers

Fabian Pertuz: 2-3, HR (1), R, 2 RBI, BBBradlee Beesley: 2-4, HBPMatt Mervis: 1-3, 2 R, BBYohendrick Pinango: 2-4Dalton Stambaugh: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 KHunter Bigge: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K

Low-A

Charleston 5, Myrtle Beach 2

Game Recap

Myrtle Beach made it interesting over the final few innings after falling behind 5-0 after four. The offense worked some good at bats, deep counts, but just couldn’t finish them off with a hit or walk often enough. In the end they they struck out 15 times, went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on the basepaths. They also had some close calls go against them. Just one of those nights. And for a very young team, its something that will likely happen throughout the year.

Top Performers

Jacob Wetzel: 1-3, R, BBEthan Hearn, 1-3, HBPLuke Matt: 1-4, 2BLuis Devers: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, KWalker Powell: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K