Cubs MiLB Midweek Report: Ballesteros Homers, Halbach Delivers, Smokies Split Tight Set

[Travis Klosinski]

Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Iowa Cubs (Triple-A)

June 4: Iowa 1, Omaha 0
June 4: Iowa 4, Omaha 0 (Game 2)
June 3: Postponed (weather)

The Iowa Cubs showcased their pitching prowess by sweeping a doubleheader against the Omaha Storm Chasers, securing two shutout victories. In the opener, right-hander Connor Noland delivered a masterful performance, allowing just one hit over six innings while striking out three and issuing three walks. Michael Fulmer closed the game with a scoreless seventh inning, earning the save. The game's only run came in the sixth inning when Owen Caissie doubled home Christian Franklin.

In the nightcap, veteran Kenta Maeda took the mound and pitched five scoreless innings, surrendering only two hits and two walks while striking out three. Reliever Phil Bickford contributed 1⅓ innings of shutout relief to secure the win. Offensively, the I-Cubs erupted in the fifth inning with back-to-back home runs: catcher Caleb Knight launched his first homer of the season, and first baseman Moisés Ballesteros followed with a three-run blast, marking his sixth home run this year.

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Knoxville Smokies (Double-A)

June 3: Smokies 4, Chattanooga 2
June 4: Lookouts 3, Smokies 1 (10 innings)

The Knoxville Smokies split their two-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts. On June 3, BJ Murray Jr. provided the offensive highlight with a clutch eighth-inning grand slam, his tenth home run of the season, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 victory. Starter Jaxon Wiggins pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Reivaj Garcia made a notable debut, going 2-for-3 and scoring on Murray's grand slam.

The following day, Grant Kipp delivered a dominant performance, striking out a career-high ten batters over six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and one walk. Despite Kipp's efforts, the Smokies fell in extra innings, 3-1, as reliever Sam Thoresen surrendered two unearned runs in the tenth. Offensively, Parker Chavers contributed with a double and a walk, scoring the team's lone run on a single by Casey Opitz, aided by a fielding error.

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South Bend Cubs (High-A)

June 3: South Bend 11, Great Lakes 3
June 4: Postponed (weather)

The South Bend Cubs opened their series against the Great Lakes Loons with an emphatic 11-3 victory. The offense was firing on all cylinders, collecting 13 hits and going 7-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Cristian Hernandez and Edgar Alvarez each recorded four-hit games, combining for five RBIs. Carter Trice added his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth inning. On the mound, Brooks Caple earned his first High-A win, pitching seven solid innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six.

The June 4 game was postponed due to inclement weather and is scheduled to be made up as part of a seven-inning doubleheader on June 5.

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A)

June 3: Pelicans 5, Kannapolis 1
June 4: Cannon Ballers 3, Pelicans 2 (walk-off)

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans split their first two games against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. On June 3, the Pelicans secured a 5-1 win, highlighted by home runs from Matt Halbach and Alexey Lumpuy. Halbach's two-run homer in the fourth inning provided an early lead, while Lumpuy added a solo shot in the sixth. Starter Yenrri Rojas delivered five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four.

The following night, the Pelicans suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 walk-off loss. Will Frisch started the game, pitching 4⅓ scoreless innings despite issuing five walks. The Pelicans took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, with Halbach driving in Leonel Espinoza and Owen Ayers scoring on a fielder's choice. However, the Cannon Ballers rallied late, tying the game with a leadoff homer in the ninth and securing the win with a walk-off single. Reliever Ethan Bell took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over 1⅔ innings.

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