Cubs Minor League News: Triantos raking, Franklin with walk-off, Sanders impressive, more

Will Sanders was impressive in five scoreless innings (Photo courtesy: South Bend)

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Fri Aug 09 07:30:01 GMT-05:00 2024

Another busy day of Minor League baseball took center stage on Thursday for the Cubs system as five teams were again in action. Typically, Thursday would have six teams, but with Myrtle Beach and Down East yet to play a game due to a Tropical Storm they are enjoying some nice practice time.

It was business as usual for the rest of the Cubs system as the organization looked to keep an overall strong month of play rolling. Whether it be the offense or the pitching, the Cubs have to be happy with 3-2 for the day.

IOWA CUBS 3 - OMAHA STORM CHASERS 2

While the Cubs offense may be the biggest story right now, the pitching stood out on Thursday as the Cubs took down the Storm Chasers 3-2. Brandon Birdsell delivered his best AAA start of the season, scattering one run on five hits across six innings. He walked one and struck out nine.

Have a night, Brandon Birdsell! 🫡

Through 6.0 innings he has set a new season-high for strikeouts by an I-Cub with 9⃣ pic.twitter.com/qjgIFGfFgF
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 9, 2024

Considering that Daniel Lynch pitched into the seventh and opened the game with four shutout frames, the Cubs needed Birdsell to deliver, which he did. All of the Iowa runs came in the fifth inning when the newly acquired Kevin Padlow connected for his first Cubs homer to put Iowa in front 3-0. The Cubs never looked back as Omaha added a run in the bottom of the fifth on a Nate Eaton double before closing out the scoring on a Nick Loftin eighth-inning single.

Jack Neely comes through for save No. 2!

All Iowa Cubs saves this season are brought to you by @SoFi - where you can save, bank, borrow, and invest - all in one app. Advance your finances and download the SoFi app to get your money right. pic.twitter.com/Vq4n8VrlhK
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 9, 2024

Iowa had seven hits in the win, with three players recording multiple hits. Padlow was one of those three, and he was joined by Chase Strumpf and James Triantos, who collected his first two AAA hits. Jack Neely continued his strong start with the Cubs, recording three strikeouts in his 1 1/3 relief innings.

Another close one with the Storm Chasers, but the I-Cubs prevail! pic.twitter.com/hhptDRUOiK
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 9, 2024

TENNESSEE SMOKIES 4 - CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS 3 (F/11)

Despite the large gap in the overall standings, everything has been challenging for the Smokies this week. Considering these are in-state rivals, that is to be expected as a pair of 11th-inning runs handed the Smokies a 4-3 walk-off win.

Sam Armstrong continues to improve each time out in AA and delivered his best AA start of the season Thursday. The young right-hander got through five innings, allowing two runs and striking out three. Both of those runs came in the third inning with Justice Thompson opening the scoring with a solo shot before the Dominic Pitelli single made this a 2-0 game.

That lead held until the sixth when the Smokies finally got to the Lookouts staff. It came after Rhett Lowder struck out five in five shutout innings as a pair of RBI singles from Felix Stevens and Jack Reinheimer made this a 2-2 game and sent this game into extras.

ICYMI: Back-to-back RBI singles from Felix Stevens and Jack Reinheimer ties the game at 2! #NextStopWrigley #LastYearBestYear pic.twitter.com/Y6zQU4HuHH
— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) August 9, 2024

Following a scoreless 10th, the Lookouts struck first as a Tyler Callihan single gave them a 3-2 lead entering the bottom of the 11th. Like all good teams, the Smokies found a way to get it done, with Christian Franklin coming through with a massive RBI double to plate a pair as the Smokies walked off the Lookouts 4-3. Franklin paced the Smokies with three hits and two RBIs, with Stevens adding two hits. Tennessee also had an impressive relief outing from Zac Leigh, who struck out four in two shutout frames to lower his ERA to 1.08.

CHRISTIAN FRANKLIN WALKS IT OFF WITH A 2-RBI DOUBLE!! @cf13_ #LastYearBestYear #NextStopWrigley | @zips3mincarwash
Box Score: https://t.co/Am1oAvW7Wc pic.twitter.com/ncfn24y0qq
— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) August 9, 2024

FORT WAYNE TIN CAPS 5 - SOUTH BEND CUBS 2

For the second game in a row, the Cubs found themselves locked in a tight contest only to give things up late. This time, it came from the back end of the pen as Fort Wayne rallied for four runs in the final two innings to secure the win.

That loss takes away what was a strong outing from Will Sanders, who allowed four hits in five shutout innings. He walked three and struck out four, but did what he had to do to keep his team in the game. Sanders was backed by some instant offense as Andy Garriola cashed in with his first career High-A RBI in the first with a single to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

1st High-A at-bat and Andy Garriola gives the Cubs the lead!

Thanks for this dude @Pelicanbaseball! pic.twitter.com/0PegityJML
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 8, 2024

That was the only run Eric Yost would allow as he struck out four in five innings. Still trailing 1-0 in the sixth, Fort Wayne finally cashed in against the Cubs pen with a Colten bender Sacrifice fly tying things up. It didn't take long for the Cubs to retake the lead as Rookie Edgar Alvarez came through with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to put the Cubs back in front 2-1.

The @SBCubs take the lead on a 2-out RBI single from Edgar Alvarez! pic.twitter.com/9IKfTlalu4
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 9, 2024

His hit was the final run of the night for the Cubs, as it was up to the pen to lock things down. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to do that, with Fort Wayne taking a 3-2 lead in the eighth off an Ethan Long double and a go-ahead RBI fielder's choice before tacking on two more runs in the ninth to secure the 5-2 win. Pedro Ramirez was one of two players to record multiple hits, joining Jefferson Rojas in the loss.

Here is the final score for tonight's game. Cubs fall short after putting up a good fight. Join us tomorrow night for Fantastic Firework Friday! pic.twitter.com/XhyqHSxv3p
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 9, 2024

MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS vs. DOWN EAST WOOD DUCKS (Postponed)

Today's game between the Down East Wood Ducks and Myrtle Beach Pelicans is postponed due to inclement weather and the forecasted rain due to Hurricane Debby. The game will be made up as a part of a doubleheader in Myrtle Beach at a date and time to be determined. pic.twitter.com/yauYJc9lur
— Down East Wood Ducks 🦆 (@GoWoodDucks) August 8, 2024

DSL CUBS BLUE - DSL GUARDIANS 4

Backed by a four-run sixth inning, DSL Blue responded from an early game deficit and rallied for the win. Ismael Morey got the start for the Cubs, going three innings and allowing two runs before handing things off to the pen.

Both of the runs Morey allowed came in the first as Jhorvic Abreus and Emilio Taveras cashed in a pair of RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead. It was a lead that would hold until the fourth as Guardians starter Renil Ramos struck out seven in three scoreless frames to keep the Cubs offense in check.

Once he was removed from the game, the Cubs offense started to battle back as the Henniel Alcala homer pulled the Cubs within 2-1. The Guardians extended their lead to 4-1 with the Brayan Guedez fifth-inning triple, but the Cubs would get the last laugh as they scored four times in the sixth to grab the win. Julio Valdez started the scoring with a two-run single before Grenyerbert Velasquez singled home the tying run.

The Cubs capped off their comeback bid with a wild pitch as the Cubs delivered the 5-4 win. Alcala led the Cubs with two hits and an RBI, and Valdez picked up two RBIs to lead the team.

DSL GIANTS 4 - DSL CUBS RED 3 (F/9)

As is the case for a lot of Rookie League games, this was supposed to be a seven-inning contest. Instead, two extra innings were needed as the Giants delivered the walk-off 4-3 win. Emilio Ramos got the start for the Cubs, allowing one run in 3 1/3 and striking out four.

Ramos was backed by a Daniel Campos double in the first to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead. That lead would hold until the fourth when Juan Colorado pulled the Giants within 2-1 with a single. Following a solo shot from Jhonny Level to tie things up in the fifth, the Giants managed to take the lead on a wild pitch as the Cubs were down 3-2.

DSL Red didn't waste any time tying things up. The Vincet Nunez sacrifice fly brought things back to even 3-3 and sent the game into extra innings. With the Cubs going scoreless in both extra-inning at-bats, it was the Giants who got the last laugh, as Level worked a bases-loaded walk to seal the deal.

CHICAGO DOGS 8 - CLEBURNE RAILROADERS 4 (F/10)

The Dogs used a four-run 10th inning to salvage the series finale against the Railroaders. Jacob Teter, Brantley Bell, and Jhonni Turbo all had two hits in the win, with Narcisco Crook leading the way with three. Crook also led the team with two RBIs, joining Turbo and Zion Pettigrew.