Cubs Minor League Wrap: Pelicans blast past Cannon Ballers

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies got pulled into the ocean by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Marlins), 13-4. Starter **Jake Knapp** took the loss after getting knocked around for six runs on just four hits over 3.1 innings. Two of those four hits were home runs. Knapp walked three, hit one batter and struck out three. Right fielder **Andy Garriola** hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning and an RBI single in the seventh. Garriola went 2 for 4 with the three runs batted in. Left fielder **Jordan Nwogu** was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Catcher **Ariel Armas** was 2 for 4. First baseman **Edgar Alvarez** was 1 for 1 with three walks and a run scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs shot down the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins), 12-5. **Koen Moreno** gave South Bend four strong innings to start the game. Moreno surrendered just one run and just one hit. He did walk three while striking out five. **Grayson Moore** kept Beloit from scoring for 2.2 innings and was awarded the win. Moore allowed two hits and walked one. He did not strike anyone out. Catcher **Owen Ayers** hit his sixth home run of the year already when he connected with the bases empty in the eighth inning. Ayers went 2 for 4 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Ayers had three total RBI and scored twice. He also stole a base. Center fielder **Kane Kepley** was 2 for 3 with two walks and was also hit by a pitch. Kepley stole three bases, giving him ten already. Kepley drove in two with a single in the second inning. He scored once. Right fielder **Kade Snell** went 2 for 5 with a walk and a steal. Snell scored once and had three RBI. First baseman **Cameron Sisneros** hit a two-run double in the second inning to open the scoring. Sisneros went 3 for 5 with three total RBI. He also scored twice. Third baseman **Matt Halbach** was 2 for 6 with a double and two runs scored. Left fielder **Leonel Espinoza** went 0 for 0 with four walks and a steal. Unfortunately, he appeared to injure himself on the steal of second base and left the game for a pinch-runner. Espinoza scored one run. DH **Angel Cepeda** also left this game with an apparent injury. Sisneros’ two-run double. Ayers’ home run. Ayers six home runs this year already ties him for a season-high in his career.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans defused the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox) 6-0. Three Pelicans pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout. **Victor Zarraga** tossed the first four innings and allowed just three hits. He struck out one, walked one and hit one batter. **Ben Johnson** threw the middle three innings and was awarded the win because Zarraga didn’t go five innings. Johnson gave up just one hit. He walked two and struck out three. **Jackson Brockett** pitched the final two innings in a non-save situation, giving up just one hit. He struck out one and walked no one. The Birds took an early lead when right fielder **Josiah Hartshorn** hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. It was the second of his pro career. Hartshorn was 3 for 4 with a double and the home run. He scored twice. In the fourth inning, third baseman **Derniche Valdez** cranked a solo home run, which was also his second of the season and second in two games. Valdez went 2 for 4. Finally, first baseman **Cole Mathis** refuses to cool off. In the fifth inning, he hit his seventh home run of the year and fourth this week. It came with a man on. Mathis went 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Catcher **Logan Poteet** drove in the other Birds run with an RBI single in the fouth inning. Poteet went 1 for 2 with two walks. Hartshorn’s blast. The Valdez home run. Finally, some really easy power out of Mathis. Not only do his seven home runs lead the Carolina League, second place only has four. It also leads all of Low-A.