Cubs MiLB Midweek Report: Taillon Sharp, South Bend Surges Into First-Place Tie

[Travis Klosinski]

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Farm System at a Glance

Iowa Cubs: 1–1 vs. Worcester | Season: 56–60
Knoxville Smokies: 0–2 @ Rocket City | Season: 50–54
South Bend Cubs: 2–0 @ Beloit | Season: 24–19 (2nd Half)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans: 1–1 @ Columbia | Season: 30–12 (2nd Half)

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Iowa Cubs

August 12 – Worcester 7, Iowa 4
The I-Cubs traded early blows with Worcester before the WooSox broke through late. Owen Caissie tied the game with a solo homer in the fifth, and James Triantos’ RBI double in the sixth knotted it again at 3–3. But the bullpen couldn’t hold, allowing a go-ahead run in the seventh and three more in the ninth. Moisés Ballesteros added an RBI in the ninth as Iowa’s rally fell short.

August 13 – Iowa 1, Worcester 0
A pitcher’s duel belonged to Jameson Taillon in his third rehab start. The right-hander delivered 5.1 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out four. The lone run came in the sixth, when Chase Strumpf singled in Triantos. Keegan Thompson bridged to the finish with 1.2 scoreless innings, earning his fourth win. Iowa improved to 56–60 and continues the homestand Thursday.

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Knoxville Smokies

August 12 – Rocket City 5, Knoxville 0
Knoxville was limited to four hits and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Starter Antonio Santos allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings, while Jefferson Rojas doubled in the fourth for the Smokies’ lone extra-base hit. Rocket City broke the game open with a Colás two-run homer in the eighth.

August 13 – Rocket City 5, Knoxville 0
The Smokies again struggled to solve Trash Pandas pitching. Grant Kipp was charged with four runs (two earned) in four-plus innings, with two balks bringing in runs during the fifth. Knoxville’s best chance came in the second inning, loading the bases with one out, but a double play ended the threat. The offense struck out 15 times and left six on base, slipping to 50–54 on the season.

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South Bend Cubs

August 12 – South Bend 4, Beloit 2
Connor Schultz tossed five innings of one-run ball, aided by Kade Snell’s home run robbery in the fifth. The Cubs were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position until the seventh, when Edgar Alvarez’s two-run single capped a three-run frame. Rafael Morel’s RBI double in the eighth provided insurance. The bullpen held, though Kenyi Perez walked the bases loaded in the ninth before Jackson Kirkpatrick induced a game-ending double play.

August 13 – South Bend 12, Beloit 1
Erian Rodriguez fanned a career-high nine over five shutout innings, and the offense rolled to a division-shaping win. Rafael Morel went 4-for-6 with three RBIs, Drew Bowser drove in five, and the Cubs walked 11 times for the second straight game. A six-run eighth inning sealed the rout, bringing South Bend into a tie for first in the Midwest League West second-half standings.

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

August 12 – Myrtle Beach 10, Columbia 1
Matt Halbach’s two-run performance highlighted a balanced attack, with a homer, sacrifice fly, and three RBIs. Alfredo Romero spun five shutout innings, and the Pelicans scored in five different frames. Ty Southisene added two hits and two RBIs, while Christian Olivo drove in a pair. Myrtle Beach left 11 on base but went 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

August 13 – Columbia 7, Myrtle Beach 6 (10 in.)
Kevin Camacho allowed one run over five innings, and Myrtle Beach built a 5–1 lead by the ninth on a three-RBI night from Kane Kepley. But Columbia rallied with four runs in the ninth to force extras, then walked it off in the tenth. Angel Cepeda’s RBI double play briefly put the Pelicans ahead in extras, but a pair of Fireflies runs ended it. The series sits at 1–1 heading into Thursday.

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