Cubs MiLB Midweek Report: Alcántara Rakes, Escobar Slams, Smokies Storm Back

[Travis Klosinski]

Image courtesy of Myrtle Beach Pelicans - Brooks Caple Pictured

Kevin Alcántara crushed two home runs, Jose Escobar hit a 10th-inning grand slam, and the Smokies stormed back in their nightcap, but it wasn’t enough to stop another rough stretch down on the farm. Can these explosive performances spark a turnaround?

Kevin Alcántara’s two-homer outburst highlighted a big week for Cubs power bats across the system. Andy Garriola launched his first grand slam of the year, Darius Hill and Owen Caissie went deep in tight Smokies and I-Cubs contests, and Escobar delivered the walk-off blow with a grand slam in extra innings for Myrtle Beach. Meanwhile, Jefferson Rojas extended his on-base streak to 21 games, and Brooks Caple continued his breakout with a scoreless gem.

Farm System at a Glance: 

Iowa Cubs: 0-2 @ Columbus | Season: 14-20
Tennessee Smokies: 1-1 @ Biloxi | Season: 18-13
South Bend Cubs: 0-2 vs. Wisconsin | Season: 10-31
Myrtle Beach Pelicans: 1-1 @ Hickory | Season: 16-24

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Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs dropped both games in Columbus but saw impressive power from their top bats. On Tuesday, Carlos Pérez launched his sixth home run of the season, while Christian Franklin tripled and scored in a 3-2 loss. Keegan Thompson pitched into the fourth, allowing one run before Michael Fulmer and Ryan Brasier were tagged late.

Wednesday was a slugfest the Cubs couldn't outpace, falling 13-5 despite multi-homer fireworks from Alcántara. The 21-year-old blasted two home runs, including a deep shot to left-center that sparked the scoring. Caissie also added his seventh homer with a laser to left—the trio of Alcántara, Caissie, and Pérez combined for all five RBI.

Matt Shaw and Ethan Roberts were promoted to the big leagues ahead of Wednesday's contest.

Player of the Game: Kevin Alcántara (2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)

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Knoxville Smokies

After dropping a tight 4-3 battle on Tuesday night, the Smokies responded with a furious late comeback to split the series. Darius Hill homered early in game one, his second of the year, and Pedro Ramirez added an RBI single. But a trio of late Biloxi long balls off Sam Armstrong and Cayne Ueckert undid the Smokies' 2-0 lead.

In Game 2, the Smokies found themselves in another hole early but clawed back thanks to a three-run homer by Casey Opitz and a go-ahead two-run shot from BJ Murray Jr. in the eighth. Corey Joyce delivered the game-tying double in a wild sixth-inning rally. Brad Deppermann and A.J. Puckett held Biloxi quiet over the final frames to lock down an 8-6 win.

Player of the Game: Casey Opitz (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI)

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South Bend Cubs

The Cubs nearly pulled off their comeback of the year Tuesday, rallying from a 6-0 deficit with a six-run fifth capped by Andy Garriola's grand slam — his first of the season and team-leading seventh homer. Cristian Hernandez and Brian Kalmer drove in runs during the surge, while Jefferson Rojas extended his on-base streak to 20 games. But rain had the final say, washing out South Bend's chances in a 7-6 loss.

Wednesday brought more damp weather and another close contest. Edgar Alvarez mashed a solo homer to right for the Cubs' only run. Evan Aschenbeck turned in his second straight quality start, allowing just one earned run across six innings, but a costly outfield miscue opened the door for a decisive Wisconsin rally. Rojas reached base again, pushing his streak to 21, and Garriola extended his hit streak to 11 games.

Player of the Game: Andy Garriola (GS HR, 4 RBI)

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Brooks Caple spun the best outing of his pro career Tuesday, throwing seven shutout innings with six strikeouts, but the bullpen faltered in a 2-1 loss. The Pelicans left 13 runners on base and went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position despite multi-hit efforts from Jose Escobar and Yahil Melendez. A wild pitch and bases-loaded walk doomed Yoendris Gonzalez in the eighth.

Wednesday's matinee saw the Pelicans return the favor. Down two in the 10th, Jose Escobar crushed a grand slam to right — his second homer of the year — to seal a 10-7 win. Escobar finished with four RBI, while Angel Cepeda drove in three and stole his 10th base. Yenrri Rojas, newly off the IL, steadied the game with four scoreless relief innings, earning the win.

Player of the Game: Jose Escobar (2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI)

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