Chicago Cubs Minor League Playoff Wrap: Game 1

Clinton ColeFirst off, congratulations to Iowa Cubs catcher P.J. Higgins and South Bend pitcher Zach Mort who won your vote for the Cubs Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for August!

The “official” awards handed out by the Cubs went to Cubs 2 infielder Luis Verdugo and Smokies pitcher Cory Abbott.

Now it’s on to the playoffs!

Iowa Cubs

Dillon Maples surrendered three runs in the bottom of the 11th as the Round Rock Express (Astros) stunned the Iowa Cubs, 5-4 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Colin Rea took the mound for Iowa. The Express jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Drew Ferguson hit a two-run home run off of…