Cubs Minor League Wrap: Kaleb Wing has a successful pro debut in Mesa

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were left on the launchpad by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 7-5. Starter **Tyler Schlaffer** pitched 4.1 innings and surrendered two runs, one earned, on three hits. Schlaffer did walk four while striking out three. Schlaffer was relieved by **Jace Beck** who allowed one inherited runner to score and five more of his own. Beck’s final numbers were five runs on seven hits over 1.2 innings. Beck walked one and struck out two. Left fielder **Andy Garriola** homered twice tonight: a two-run home run in the second inning and a solo home run in the fourth. Garriola leads the Smokies with seven home runs. Tonight he finished going 2 for 3 with walk and the two home runs. Shortstop **Jefferson Rojas** was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the sixth inning. Rojas scored on Garriola’s first home run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were boiled by the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 7-6. **Kevin Valdez** started and allowed four runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. He walked three and struck out two. **Ethan Flanagan** took over in the fifth inning and gave up just one run on four hits over the next four innings. Flanagan struck out four and walked one. **JP Wheat** was called upon to get the save in the top of the ninth and in typical wild JP Wheat fashion, he took the loss after allowing two runs on no hits and four walks. Wheat also uncorked two wild pitches. He struck out one in the one inning of work. Second baseman **Drew Bowser** tied the game up 5-5 with a two-run double in the fifth inning. Bowser went 1 for 2 with two walks and a hit batsman. First baseman **Cole Mathis** was 1 for 3 with a triple and two walks. One of the two walks came with the bases loaded for one run batted in. He scored twice. Bowser’s double.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hypnotized by the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 4-3. **Dominick Reid** turned in a decent start, going five innings and allowing just two runs on five hits. He did walk four batters while striking out six. **Hayden Frank** tossed the final four innings, gave up his first two runs of season and took the loss. Frank allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits. He walked one and struck out two. Catcher **Logan Poteet** was 1 for 2 with two walks and an RBI single in the seventh inning. Left fielder **Jose Escobar** went 1 for 4 with a two-run single in the first. Poteet’s RBI single.

ACL Cubs

Cubs 7, Athletics 5 **Kaleb Wing**, the Cubs’ fourth-round pick last year, made his professional debut in this game and allowed one run on two hits over four innings. He struck out six and walked no one. Something tells me he’ll be in Myrtle Beach soon. Second baseman **Juan Cabada**, a top 20 prospect in most Cubs prospect lists, went 3 for 5 with a triple, a run sored and three RBI in his stateside debut.