Cubs MiLB Midweek Report: Caissie Rakes, Pelicans Keep Climbing, Smokies Come Up Empty

[Travis Klosinski]

Image courtesy of © Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (0–2 at Louisville)

Season: 43–55

It was a milestone night for Owen Caissie on Tuesday, who went 5-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, and three singles in Iowa’s 9–4 loss. The 21-year-old slugger became the first Iowa Cub this season to record five hits in a game and reached the 20-home-run mark in the process. Despite his heroics, Louisville responded with a balanced attack, capitalizing on three errors and tagging starter Chris Kachmar for four earned runs over five innings. Christian Encarnacion-Strand drove in five, including a three-run homer in the fifth that broke things open.

On Wednesday, Iowa again started strong offensively with a solo homer from Jonathon Long—his 15th of the year—but a five-run sixth inning for Louisville buried any comeback hopes. Caissie added another two hits, finishing the series 7-for-9, but bullpen struggles and defensive lapses led to a 13–6 loss, Iowa’s fifth in a row.

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Double-A – Knoxville Smokies (0–2 vs. Pensacola)

Season: 52–48

Knoxville opened its home series with a grueling 13-inning loss on Tuesday, blowing a two-run lead in the ninth before falling 6–4. Starter Antonio Santos allowed just one hit over three scoreless innings, but the bullpen couldn’t hold a 3–1 edge late. Pensacola rallied for two in the ninth and plated three more in the 13th, capitalizing on a lead-off walk and defensive miscommunication to take control. The Smokies managed only one hit after the eighth inning and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

The bats stayed quiet on Wednesday in a 5–2 defeat. Sam Armstrong allowed four runs in four innings, including a two-run homer in the third. Knoxville scored twice on RBI singles from Haydn McGeary and Kevin Alcántara, but the offense left eight men on base. The Smokies have now lost five straight and slipped out of the division lead in the Southern League North.

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High-A – South Bend Cubs (2–0 at Dayton)

Season: 41–54

South Bend stayed hot in Dayton, opening the series Tuesday with a 9–2 victory highlighted by a six-run sixth inning. Rafael Morel’s bases-clearing double broke open a 3–2 game, and Brian Kalmer followed with a two-run home, his 14th of the season. Connor Schultz allowed two runs across 4.2 innings, and Evan Taylor tossed 2.1 scoreless frames to pick up the win.

The Cubs made it four wins in five games on Wednesday with a 6–2 decision. Pedro Ramirez reached base three times and scored twice, while Andy Garriola and Jefferson Rojas each drove in runs during a four-run fourth inning. South Bend’s bullpen held Dayton to just one hit over the final five innings, securing the series with back-to-back double-digit hit totals.

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Single-A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2–0 vs. Columbia)

Season: 49–49

The Pelicans returned home and quickly extended their winning streak to five games with a pair of sharp wins over Columbia. On Tuesday, Owen Ayers opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the first inning—his eighth of the year. Alexey Lumpuy added a two-run shot in the fourth, and the bullpen combined for five scoreless innings to seal a 9–3 win.

Myrtle Beach kept rolling Wednesday, jumping out early again and riding strong defense to a 6–2 victory. Cristian Hernandez doubled twice and scored twice, while Ariel Armas reached base in all four plate appearances. Starter Marino Santy allowed one earned run over five innings, and reliever Saul Gonzalez notched his fifth save. The Pelicans returned to .500 with the sweep and sit just two games back in the Carolina League South second-half race.

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Affiliate	Record,	Series	Notable Performances
Iowa Cubs	43–55,	0–2 at Louisville	Caissie: 7-for-9, HR, 2B, 3 RBI
Knoxville Smokies	52–48,	0–2 vs. Pensacola	13-inning loss, 5-game losing skid
South Bend Cubs	41–54,	2–0 at Dayton	Morel, Kalmer lead 6-run inning
Myrtle Beach Pelicans	49–49,	2–0 vs. Columbia	Ayers, Lumpuy homer; five straight wins

 

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