Chicago Cubs Minor League Report: Powell Twirls Quality Start in 2025 Triple-A Debut

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Cubs Affiliate Overview (September 18-19)

Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Series vs. Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers): Mud Hens Lead 3-1
Season Record: 74-73

Double-A Knoxville Smokies
2025 Season Record: 69-67

High-A South Bend Cubs
2025 Season Record: 56–75

Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
2025 Season Record: 68–60

Triple-A: Iowa Cubs
Season Record: 74–73
Series Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (82–66)
Series Standing: Trail 3-1

Sept. 18: The Iowa Cubs and Toledo Mud Hens were tied 4-4 heading into the ninth inning but the visitors exploded for six runs in the top half of the frame to hand the Cubs a 10-4 defeat. Dixon Machado went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs while Chase Strumpf went 1-for-4 with a home run, his 13th of the season. Keegan Thompson worked two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out three batters and giving up just one hit.

Sept. 19: The I-Cubs bounced back from Thursday’s defeat with a 1-0 shutout victory of the Mud Hens. Nicky Lopez (2-for-4) hit a go-ahead RBI-triple with two outs in the eighth to put Iowa in front. Walker Powell, making his season debut at the Triple-A level, did not factor into the decision despite his quality start. Powell allowed just three hits over six scoreless frames, punching out five batters without issuing a walk. Ryan Brasier turned in a scoreless seventh and Ethan Roberts picked up the win by tossing the final two innings, allowing three hits and whiffing two.

All other minor league affiliates of the Cubs are finished with their respective seasons. Only Myrtle Beach made the playoffs, where they lost to the Columbia Fireflies in the first round.

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