Cubs Minor League News: Hill and Caissie raking, Thompson and Palencia impressive, more |
DES MOINES — The Iowa Cubs (2-3) certainly have a flair for the dramatics. Not only have they played in three extra-inning games so far this season, but all five of their games have been decided by two runs or less. That includes Wednesday's matchup with the Toledo Mud Hens, in which, once again, the Cubs played from behind late.
Trailing 4-2 in the eighth, Iowa began to rally again as their relentless offense can strike any time. This time, it was Owen Caissie playing the hero as his bases-loaded double took what was a 4-3 deficit and gave the Cubs a 6-4 lead. Doubles were the theme for Iowa all game long, as they had seven doubles. Despite grabbing the late lead, it wasn't enough to pick up the victory as a pair of ninth-inning homers off of Riley Martin put the Mud Hens back in front before they finished things off in the end. One of the most significant areas of concern for the Cubs is their overall lack of starting pitching in terms of depth. Chris Kachmar didn't pitch poorly, but when you walk five guys in less than two innings, you're not making things easy, as he was lifted after allowing two runs. From there, it was about a mostly dominant bullpen for the Cubs, with Riley Thompson punching out six in three scoreless frames while Daniel Palencia struck out three in two innings. After both teams went scoreless in the first, the Mud Hens took the early lead, as a bases-loaded walk to Wenceel Perez gave Toledo the lead. Command continued to be an issue for Kachmar in the second, as a second bases-loaded walk to Justyn Henry-Malloy extended the lead, with the Cubs now trailing 2-0. Toledo continued to build on that lead in the top of the third, with Bligh Madris picking up an RBI single off Thompson to push the lead to 3-0. With Toledo using a patient approach to pick up a pair of runs in the second, it was time for Iowa to do the same as the bases-loaded Bryce Windham walk in the bottom of the third put the Cubs on the board and pulled them within 3-1. Those were the only runs for the next several innings as the Darius Hill double made things 3-2 in the sixth before Toledo tacked on another RBI single in the seventh. Darius Hill cuts the lead to one with his second double of the game🙌 pic.twitter.com/DmilyO52wT Trailing by a pair in the eighth, the fireworks were about to start as Windham legged out an infield single to get things rolling. The legs of Windham played a massive role in this innings as he raced from first to home on a Jake Slaughter double to pull Iowa within 4-3. Jake Slaughter makes it a double!!💪 pic.twitter.com/lHOwpDvnMd Another Pete Crow-Armstrong double followed the Slaughter hit before the Alexander Canario walk had the bases loaded and Iowa threatening to break things open with their best hitter in Caissie coming to the plate. As he has done all Spring and to start the AAA season, Caissie doesn't shy away from the big moment and laced a sinking liner to left that got by a diving Perez. All three runners came home to score on that double as the Cubs took a 6-4 lead late. Caissie clears the bases and gives the I-Cubs the lead! pic.twitter.com/poqdogskNL Riley Martin, looking to lock down his second save of the season, didn't have his best outing. One batter into his outing, Buddy Kennedy drove one the opposite way, and his solo blast got the Mud Hens to within 6-5. Martin settled in to retire the next two batters, but the Anthony Bemboom walk kept the inning alive for Perez. That proved costly for the Cubs, as Perez took the Martin offering the opposite way, the Mud Hens' second homer of the inning, and put Toledo back in front 7-6 before closing things out in the bottom of the ninth to seal the victory. Final from Principal Park pic.twitter.com/LWCyuxXsK3
