The Cubs today added right-hander Ethan Roberts to the 40-man roster and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa—where he was already pitching. The Cubs had a deadline of today to add Roberts to the 40-man or he could opt out. To make room for Roberts on the roster, José Cuas was designated for assignment.
Then there is this report floating around.
Chicago Cubs prospect Moises Ballesteros is being promoted to AAA Iowa.
— Down on the Farm (@DownontheFarm8) June 17, 2024
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs seized the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 11-6.
Starter Riley Thompson pitched four innings and gave up five runs, four earned, on seven hits. Thompson struck out three and walked no one.
The Cubs bullpen, however, turned in five innings and only gave up one run. Brad Wieck pitched one scoreless inning and gave up one hit. Wieck struck out three and walked one.
Michael Arias pitched two scoreless innings without allowing a hit. He did walk one batter. Arias did not strike anyone out.
Eduarniel Nunez pitched the eighth inning and got the win. He allowed no runs and no hits, but he walked one and struck out two.
Porter Hodge pitched the ninth inning in a non-save situation. Hodge surrendered a run on two hits. He struck out one and walked no one.
The I-Cubs were trailing 5-4 going into the top of the ninth when they exploded for seven runs. Right fielder Owen Caissie connected for a three-run home run in the ninth, his eighth on the season. Caissie went 1 for 3 with two walks and a sacrifice fly for four total RBI.
DH Miles Mastrobuoni has been on a hot streak lately. Today, Mastrobuoni went 4 for 5 with a double. He had a two-run single in the fourth and an RBI single in the ninth for three total runs batted in. He scored twice.
Third baseman BJ Murray Jr. was 3 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.
Center fielder Cole Roederer was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs scored.
Shortstop Luis Vazquez was 2 for 6.
Mastrobuoni’s two-run single.
Masto comes up clutch! pic.twitter.com/bm0rCJwwIr
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) June 16, 2024
Caissie’s home run.
Owen Caissie providing some insurance runs in a BIG way! pic.twitter.com/5P2Yr4adTj
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) June 16, 2024
Tennessee Smokies
The game in Biloxi was cancelled because of unplayable wet field conditions. It will not be made up.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs were fired by the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 6-5 in 11 innings.
Sam Armstrong pitched the first three innings and gave up one run on three hits. He struck out four and did not walk anyone.
Angel Gonzalez held the Chiefs scoreless in the bottom of the tenth inning, but he couldn’t do it again in the eleventh and allowed the winning run to score on a walk-off balk. Both Gonzalez and manager Nick Lovullo were ejected arguing that call.
The final line on Gonzalez was one unearned run on no hits over 1.1 innings, but two walks (one intentional) and a hit batter. Gonzalez struck out two.
First baseman Jonathon Long hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his eighth of the season. Long went 1 for 5 with two runs batted in.
Shortstop Jefferson Rojas was 2 for 5 with an RBI triple. Rojas scored twice.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans captured the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 11-10 in 11 innings.
Starter Nico Zeglin held the Fireflies scoreless over four innings, permitting just two hits. He struck out five and walked no one, but he did hit one batter.
Mason McGwire relieved Zeglin and gave up three runs over two innings—but all three runs were unearned. McGwire allowed just one hit, but he walked three and struck out three.
The win went to Shane Marshall, who allowed a run in the top of the tenth and the top of the eleventh. Marshall’s line was two runs, both unearned, on no hits over two innings. He walked one and struck out two.
First baseman Drew Bowser hit a walk-off two-run double in the bottom of the eleventh to win it. Bowser had a great game, going 3 for 5 with a walk and four total RBI. He scored twice.
RIght fielder Jacob Wetzel connected on a solo shot in the sixth inning, his fourth of the year. Wetzel went 3 for 4 with two walks and two stolen bases. He scored three times, including the first of the two runs on Bowser’s double.
Third baseman Christopher Paciolla was 3 for 5 with a double and one run scored.
Highlights:
ACL Cubs
Off day.