Chicago Cubs Minor League Report: Kevin Alcántara Homers, Pelicans Clinch Postsesaon Berth

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Cubs Affiliate Overview (August 28-29)

Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Series at Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics): Tied 2-2
Season Record: 63-66

Double-A Knoxville Smokies
Series at Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox): Tied 2-2
Season Record: 58-64

High-A South Bend Cubs
Series at Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals): Chiefs lead 4-0
Season Record: 53–70

Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Series at Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros): Tied 2-2
Season Record: 65–56

Triple-A: Iowa Cubs
Season Record: 63–66
Series Opponent: Las Vegas Aviators (74–56)
Series Standing: Tied 2-2

Aug. 28: The Iowa Cubs fell to the Las Vegas Aviators, 8-4, on Thursday night. The Aviators used a pair of four-run frames, in the third and the fifth, to pull away in the contest. The Cubs plated three runs in the fifth, with James Triantos (2-for-4) launching a two-run blast, his fifth of the season. Jonathan Long also went 2-for-4 on the night.

Aug. 29: The I-Cubs evened their series against the Aviators with a dominant 10-2 victory. Iowa held a 2-1 lead after two and broke the game open with three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth. Kevin Alcántara (2-for-4) drove in three runs in the ballgame and also homered for the 17th time this campaign with a solo blast in the ninth. James Triantos had another big game, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a triple. Keegan Thompson picked up the win in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and allowing three hits while striking out two.

Double-A: Knoxville Smokies
Season Record: 58–64
Series Opponent: Birmingham Barons (75–49)
Series Standing: Tied 2-2

Aug. 28: The Knoxville Smokies took a 2-1 series advantage with a 7-3 victory in 10 innings. The Smokies exploded for five runs in the 10th, getting RBI-singles from BJ Murray Jr. (2-for-4) and Jordan Nwogu (2-for-5) and a two-run homer from Pablo Aliendo (1-for-5). Pedro Ramirez recorded his first four-hit game of the season, going 4-for-5 with a double. Connor Schultz took no decision in his first-career start at Double-A, allowing two runs, unearned, on four hits over six innings of work, striking out two. Schultz’s quality start was his first with Knoxville and his second overall on the season.

Aug. 29: The Smokies were held to just one run on four hits as they fell to the Barons, 7-1, on Friday night. Pedro Ramirez pushed his hitting streak to four games, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Ramirez has posted a multi-hit effort in back-to-back games. Evan Taylor tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, striking out three.

High-A: South Bend Cubs
Season Record: 53–70
Series Opponent: Peoria Chiefs (48–74)
Series Standing: Trail 4-0

Aug. 28: The South Bend Cubs dropped their third-straight contest as they fell to the Peoria Chiefs, 5-2. The Cubs had just two hits in the contest, with Cristian Hernandez (1-for-4) driving in both runs with a double. Nazier Mulé suffered the loss in the start, allowing three runs on four hits over four innings of work, striking out three batters but issuing five walks.

Aug. 29: The Cubs’ losing skid hit four games as their comeback effort came up short, falling to the Chiefs 5-4. Miguel Pabon and Christopher Paciolla each went 2-for-4 while Cameron Sisneros drove in a pair of runs and drew two walks. Jackson Kirkpatrick worked two scoreless innings in relief, allowing no hits and whiffing three batters.

Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Season Record: 65–56
Series Opponent: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (66–58)
Series Standing: Tied 2-2

Aug. 28: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans blanked the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, 7-0, on Thursday to clinch the second half Carolina League South division title. The Pelicans will be making their first playoff appearance since 2023. Kane Kepley (1-for-3) scored three times, doubled and walked twice and has now reached base safely in 19 of his first 20 games as a professional, recording at least one hit in 15 of those ballgames. Ty Southisene (1-for-3) also crossed the plate three times and earned one walk. Matt Halbach went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a walk. Edwardo Melendez picked up his first-career Single-A win in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three over three shutout frames. Myrtle Beach pitchers held Fayetteville batters to 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, going on to strand 13 baserunners.

Aug. 29: The Pelicans fell to the Woodpeckers, 8-1, on Friday. Myrtle Beach was held to just three hits, with Justin Stransky (1-for-3) driving in the lone run with an RBI-single in the seventh.

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