Cubs Minor League Wrap: Iowa blows out St. Paul, 11-4

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were composted by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 6-0. **Yenrri Rojas** started and took the loss. Rojas gave up two runs on five hits over four innings. Rojas struck out six and walked no one. **Ben Johnson** tossed two scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits. Johnson did walk one and didn’t strike anyone out. The Smokies had only four hits. Shortstop **Jefferson Rojas** had the only extra base hit. He was 1 for 3 with a double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were dented by the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 7-4. Starter **Cole Reynolds** pitched 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Reynolds struck out five and walked just one. **Jackson Brockett** relived Reynolds and gave up a two-run home run in his first inning in High-A. Brockett got the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits over 1.2 innings. Brockett did not strike anyone out, but he also didn’t walk anyone. All four South Bend runs came in the fourth inning. Left fielder **Reginald Preciado** was responsible for three of them with his second home run of the year. Preciado was 1 for 3 with a walk. Center fielder **Kane Kepley** went 1 for 3 with a walk, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly. The South Bend social media team reminding us that Preciado was part of the Yu Darvish deal—and the last one who is still on the Cubs.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans netted the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 7-3. **David Bracho** threw the first 3.2 innings without allowing a run. He did give up seven hits, but Bracho didn’t walk anyone, although he did hit one batter, and he struck out three. **Aiden Moffett** pitched the middle innings and got his first professional win. Moffett did not allow a run or a hit over 2.1 innings. He did walk one batter while striking out four. **Jordan Henriquez** went the rest of the way for a three-inning save. He gave up just one hit, but it was a two-run home run in the top fo the ninth to spoil the shutout. Henriquez walked two and struck out four. The Pelicans jumped out to an early lead with a four-run bottom of the first inning. The big blow was a two-run home run by left fielder **Jose Escobar**. Escobar was 2 for 4. In the second inning, DH **Eli Lovich** hit a solo home run. It was his third of the season and his second in two games. Lovich was 1 for 4. In the eighth inning, catcher **Logan Poteet** added an insurance run with a solo home run, his second on the season. Poteet was 1 for 3 with a sac fly and two total RBI. The Pelicans had just six hits, but three of them were home runs. They also drew five walks. Escobar’s home run. Lovich showing some opposite field power. Poteet’s home run.