Cubs Minor League News: Rookie League action |
Monday marks the start of another week of Minor League competition, as minor league teams continue to plow through their season just as much as the MLB does. However, on this Monday, things had a different feel, as not only were the full-season teams off per usual, but the Cubs were also enjoying an off day.
That means that, once again, the Rookie League players were the main focus, and this time, the Rookie Leagues legitimately took center stage as they were the only ones playing. Looking to get back to .500 after an up-and-down start to their season, the ACL Cubs were back on the diamond as they played host to the ACL Diamondbacks at Sloan Park. Backed by some strong pitching and a pair of two-run innings, the Cubs won 4-3 and moved back to .500 for the season. Freilyn Silverio pitched for the Cubs and delivered his best outing of the season. Silverio struck out four across four innings while walking one and allowing just one run. He gave way to Wilme Mora, who struggled with his command and walked five batters in three innings but did a great job limiting the damage to just two runs. Opposing Silverio was Vitico Valdez, who also went four innings on the night, striking out three and allowing three runs. This is the stage of most pitchers' Minor League careers where it is about building arm strength, as you seldom see any starters go beyond four innings. Following a scoreless first inning, the Diamondbacks struck first in the second, which also happened to be the lone runs Silverio would allow. Abdias De La Cruz provided the early offense, as his RBI double put the Diamondbacks in front 1-0. It didn't take the Cubs long to respond, as they tied things up in the bottom of the second and managed to grab a 2-1 lead. Eriandys Ramon showed off the wheels again as he connected for his second RBI triple in four games to tie things up 1-1. Ramon would come around to score later in the inning off a wild pitch, and just like that, it was the Cubs in front 2-1. The Cubs made that lead hold until the fifth when Mora came into pitch as his lack of command immediately proved costly. Not only did an error and two walks load the bases, but Mora made three straight walks as his bases-loaded walk to Demetrio Crisantes brought home the tying run. A few pitches later, Jakey Josepha put the Diamondbacks on top again with an RBI forceout before Mora bounced back to escape without further damage. Trailing for the second time in the game was a deja vu for the Cubs as they wasted no time battling back in the bottom of the fifth. That all started with a leadoff walk from Adan Sanchez before the one-out Joan Delgado double put a pair of runners in scoring position and set the Cubs offense up in a great spot. Leave it to Jose Escobar to come through as he connected for the Cubs' second RBI triple of the game to clear the bases as the Cubs retook the lead 4-3. The Cubs could not get Escobar home later in the inning, but that would be all they would need for offense as Mora finished off the final two innings of relief to hand the Cubs the win. Delgado led the Cubs with two hits in the win, with Escobar, Ramon, Sanchez, and Yahil Melendez picking up the six hits.
