Daily Farm Report: Wisdom Extends Hitting Streak

All four minor league affiliates were in action on Wednesday, and all but one grabbed a win. Memphis and Palm Beach picked up their wins narrowly while Peoria made short work of Burlington. Here’s what happened.

Memphis Redbirds 3 at New Orleans Baby Cakes 2

Daniel Poncedeleon (SP): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 8 K’s

Andrew Morales (RP): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K’s

Wilfredo Tovar (SS): 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, R

Max Schrock (2B): 1-2, BB

Patrick Wisdom (3B): 1-4, R

The train keeps on rolling in Memphis, with the Redbirds winning their eleventh game in the last thirteen. Much of the streak has been on the back of the pitching staff, and Wednesday was no different. Daniel Poncedeleon’s six inning, one run, eight strikeout performance was the eleventh straight quality start by a Memphis starter. Andrew Morales followed and was stellar in relief, working a two-inning, no-run, three strikeout hold. Edward Mujica came in and picked up the save.

The Redbird offense was powered by Wilfredo Tovar on Wednesday. All three runs came from Tovar’s bat, thanks to a two-run double in the sixth and a solo home run in the ninth. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom extended his hitting streak to a career best 15 games. Over that span he’s hitting .418 with 8 extra base hits. The hot streak has raised his season line to a healthy .307/.362/.489.

Memphis is now 34-20 on the season. They’ll take on New Orleans again tonight at 7:00 CST with Dakota Hudson on the bump.

Corpus Christi Hooks 11 at Springfield 4

Jake Woodford (SP): 0.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Ian McKinney (RP): 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K’s

Chris Chinea (1B): 1-3, 2B, BB, R

Thomas Spitz (RF): 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB, R

Evan Mendoza (3B): 1-2, RBI, 2 BB, R

Springfield failed to launch on Wednesday, with starter Jake Woodford scuffling his way through only two-thirds of the first inning. Woodford surrendered back-to-back home runs in the inning and ultimately got the hook in favor of Ian McKinney. McKinney was solid and efficient in long relief, allowing the Cardinals to scratch their way within two runs of the hooks. Reliever Colton Thompson entered with a 5-3 deficit before surrendering four runs in less than an inning of work. The late surge was too much for the Cardinals to overcome.

The offense wasn't able to get going until the sixth inning, when right fielder Thomas Spitz launched a two-run homer. By the time Springfield was able to plate another, they were at a 9-3 deficit. Evan Mendoza singled in the ninth to drive home Lane Thomas and cut the deficit to 9-4. That ended up being all that Springfield could muster on Wednesday. Since his promotion, Mendoza is batting above .300 but is still searching for his first extra-base hit.

The loss puts Springfield at 27-25 on the year. They take on Corpus Christi again tonight at 7:10 CST.

Palm Beach Cardinals 4 Charlotte Stone Crabs 3

Evan Kruczynski (SP): 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 K’s

Will Latcham (RP): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s, SV

Ryan McCarvel (C): 1-3, HR, 3 RBI, R

Chase Pinder (CF): 2-3, 3B, RBI

Starter Evan Kruczynski got the call for Palm Beach on Wednesday, squaring off against two-way prospect Brendan McKay. Kruczynski tossed four frames, walking four and allowing four hits for three runs. McKay lasted six innings himself, but gave up four runs and ultimately picked up the loss. Will Latcham entered in the eighth and notched a two-inning save, striking out four while allowing no baserunners and no runs.

The Palm Beach offense was powered from the bottom, with seventh and eighth hitters Ryan McCarvel and Chase Pinder leading the way. McCarvel recorded the second home run allowed by McKay all season to drive in three runs. Chase Pinder used his speed to leg out a triple and drive in a run of his own. Four runs was all Palm Beach needed on Wednesday to pick up the win.

Palm Beach is now 27-20 on the season. They’ll take on Charlotte again tonight at 5:30 CST with starter Jake Walsh at the helm.

Peoria Chiefs 5 Burlington Bees 0

Evan Guillory (SP): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K’s

Elehuris Montero (3B): 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R

Irving Lopez (2B): 2-4, 2 2B, R

Mariel Gonzalez (1B): 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB

Starter Evan Guillory turned in a strong effort on Wednesday, allowing no runs over seven frames of work. Guillory only allowed three baserunners and struck out five along the way. The 23rd round pick has enjoyed a strong start to the season. Across 62.1 innings, Guillory is rocking a 2.74 ERA. The sub-3.00 ERA has come on the back of superb control, as he’s running a 1.88 BB/9 so far.

Peoria jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Chiefs recorded two runs in the first before tacking on a run a piece in the second, third, and seventh innings. Elehuris Montero launched his fifth bomb of the season in the third, raising his season line to .320/.365/.480. The offensive production of Irving Lopez shouldn’t go unnoticed. Since being selected in the 19th round last summer, the second baseman has hit at a promising clip for a middle infielder in the low minors. On the year he’s slashing .292/.375/.448. That line is remarkably similar to his 2017 line at Johnson City, and he’s running similarly good walk and strikeout rates.

The win moves Peoria to 28-24 on the season. Thursday will feature a double header, with game two being a makeup of an early April postponement. Game 1 starts at 5:00 CST.

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Thursday’s Probables

MEM: Dakota Hudson

SPR: TBD

PMB: Jake Walsh

PEO (GM1): TBD

PEO (GM2): TBD