Drew Pomeranz Debuts for Iowa Cubs in Loss to Buffalo
Drew Pomeranz debuted for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on Sunday, striking out two in a scoreless inning, but the club fell to the Buffalo Bisons 8-5. The Chicago Cubs minor league system saw action across four levels, featuring a position player taking the mound in Des Moines and a painful ninth-inning collapse in South Bend.
How did Drew Pomeranz pitch in his Iowa Cubs debut?
Left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz officially joined the Iowa Cubs and threw the fourth inning on Sunday. Pomeranz gave up a two-out walk but kept the Bisons off the board. He struck out two batters in his first Triple-A appearance this year.
The Iowa Cubs called up right-hander Kenten Egbert from High-A South Bend to make the start, but the move did not pay off. Egbert allowed eight runs, five of them earned, on eight hits over just 2.2 innings. He walked five batters and struck out two.
Reliever Cobin Martin provided a bright spot with three scoreless innings, allowing only one walk while striking out one. Catcher Christian Bethancourt even pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game.
Why did Scott Kingery pitch for the Iowa Cubs?
Utility player Scott Kingery had one of the most unusual afternoons in minor league baseball. Kingery hit a solo home run in the third inning, his second of the season. Because Egbert exited the game early, Kingery then finished the top of the third inning on the mound. He recorded a groundout on a 36 mile per hour curveball. Technically, Kingery hit his home run while serving as a pitcher. He finished the day 1 for 4 at the plate.
Third baseman James Triantos went 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs batted in. Left fielder Owen Miller went 2 for 5 with one run scored.
Edgar Alvarez homers for Knoxville Smokies
The Double-A Knoxville Smokies lost to the Birmingham Barons 10-5. Starter Koen Moreno allowed three runs, one unearned, on four hits over four innings. He walked two and struck out four. Erian Rodriguez took the loss after giving up five runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings.
Third baseman Edgar Alvarez provided the offensive highlight, blasting his eighth home run of the year in the fifth inning with two men on base. Alvarez went 2 for 5 on the day.
Catcher Owen Ayers was perfect at the plate, going 4 for 4 with a double and a walk while scoring three times. Center fielder Alex Ramírez went 2 for 5 with an RBI double and a stolen base. Left fielder Andy Garriola finished 2 for 4 with an RBI double and a walk.
South Bend Cubs suffer brutal ninth-inning collapse
The High-A South Bend Cubs lost 7-2 to the Quad Cities River Bandits despite a brilliant start from Alfredo Romero. Romero pitched five innings, allowing no runs on just one hit. He struck out five and walked no one.
South Bend held a 2-0 lead going into the top of the ninth inning, but the bullpen fell apart. Relievers Ethan Bell and Grayson Moore combined to allow seven runs. Bell took the loss, giving up five runs on four walks and one hit over one-third of an inning.
Center fielder Kane Kepley cranked a solo home run in the sixth inning, his fourth of the season. Kepley was 1 for 3 with a walk. The Cubs managed just four hits total.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans walk off on wild pitches
The Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost to the Salem RidgeYaks 7-6. Starter Brody McCullough pitched three innings on a rehab assignment, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four.
The Pelicans tied the game in the top of the ninth inning thanks to a two-run home run by third baseman Yahil Melendez, his second of the year. However, reliever Aiden Moffat could not find the strike zone in the bottom of the ninth. Moffat walked all three batters he faced. Edwardo Melendez came in with the bases loaded and gave up a walk-off single to the only batter he faced.
Left fielder Edward Vargas went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Which Cubs minor league hitters stood out Sunday?
Several Cubs minor league hitters had strong performances despite their teams taking losses. Owen Ayers of the Knoxville Smokies reached base safely five times, going 4 for 4 with a double and a walk. Edgar Alvarez hit his eighth home run of the season for Knoxville, driving in three runs. For the Iowa Cubs, Owen Miller collected two hits, while James Triantos drove in two runs.