Cubs Minor League Weekend Recap: Late Homers, Doubleheader Swings, And Bullpen Formidability

[Travis Klosinski]

Chicago Cubs Affiliate Overview (April 10th - April 12th)

Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Season Record: 8-6
Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers
Series Standing: 2-3

Double-A Knoxville Smokies
Season Record: 5-4
Series Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas
Series Standing: 4-2

High-A South Bend Cubs
Season Record: 4-2
Series Opponent: Peoria Chiefs
Series Standing: 4-2

Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Season Record: 5-4
Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies
Series Standing: 2-4

Triple-A Iowa Cubs

Season Record: 8-6

Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers

Series Standing: 2-3

April 10 (Game 1): Iowa opened with early execution as Justin Dean singled, stole second, and scored on a BJ Murray RBI single. Kevin Alcántara added a double, but the offense stalled. Omaha broke through with a four-run third inning, stringing together extra-base hits and singles to take control. Iowa’s pitching could not recover from the surge, and the offense was held scoreless the rest of the way in a 6-1 loss.

April 10 (Game 2): Iowa fell behind early as Omaha capitalized on walks and timely hits to build a 3-0 lead. Christian Bethancourt’s two-run home run in the fifth ignited the offense, and Iowa tied the game in the sixth behind doubles from Jonathon Long and Pedro Ramírez. The bullpen held through extra innings, but Omaha broke through in the ninth with a two-run single, handing Iowa a 6-4 loss.

April 11: Iowa responded with a 7-3 win, rallying after an early deficit. James Triantos drove in a run, and Justin Dean added a two-run single before Ben Cowles delivered a two-run double in a decisive sixth inning. Jonathon Long extended the lead with a run-scoring double. Iowa’s pitching stabilized after early pressure and limited Omaha to three runs, closing out the game effectively.

April 12: Game canceled.

Double-A Knoxville Smokies

Season Record: 5-4

Series Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas

Series Standing: 4-2

April 10: Knoxville fell behind early as Rocket City scored across the first four innings. The Smokies responded in the fifth with Carter Trice’s double, RBI singles from Alex Madera and Jefferson Rojas, and a two-run double from Alex Ramírez. Knoxville trimmed the deficit to one, but Rocket City added three runs in the eighth. A bases-loaded chance in the ninth produced only one run in a 9-6 loss.

April 11: Both teams were scoreless through five innings before Knoxville broke through in the sixth. Rocket City responded in the eighth, but Devin Ortiz homered to cut the deficit. In the ninth, Karson Simas tied the game with an RBI hit, and Ortiz delivered a sacrifice fly to complete the comeback. Knoxville’s pitching held early and limited late damage in a 4-3 win.

April 12: Knoxville took a 1-0 lead on Devin Ortiz’s home run but fell behind in the eighth. The Smokies tied the game in the ninth on a Haydn McGeary double after a bases-loaded walk cut the deficit. In the 10th, Rocket City used the extra-inning runner to score three runs on a bunt, single, and double. Knoxville added a run but fell 7-4.

 

High-A South Bend Cubs

Season Record: 4-2

Series Opponent: Peoria Chiefs

Series Standing: 4-2

April 10: South Bend took control early as Reginald Preciado drove in two runs with a double. Kade Snell and Owen Ayers added middle-inning production, and Angel Cepeda extended the lead with a three-run double. Peoria mounted a late rally, loading the bases in the ninth, but South Bend’s pitching held to secure an 8-6 win.

April 11: Trailing early, South Bend erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning. Cameron Sisneros opened the rally with a home run, and Leonel Espinoza followed with a three-run shot. Drew Bowser added a two-run single, and Matt Halbach homered late. South Bend’s pitching limited Peoria after the early innings in a 9-3 win.

April 12: South Bend led early before Peoria scored four runs in the fifth. In the ninth, Leonel Espinoza doubled and Owen Ayers delivered a two-run home run to reclaim the lead. The bullpen closed the final inning, preserving a 5-4 win and completing the series sweep of the weekend games.

 

Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Season Record: 5-4

Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies

Series Standing: 2-4

April 10: Myrtle Beach struck first as Ty Southisene set the table with aggressive baserunning and Alexey Lumpuy drove in two runs with a single. Columbia answered quickly and added runs in the middle innings. Despite multiple stolen bases and baserunners, Myrtle Beach could not capitalize further and was held scoreless after the third in a 6-2 loss.

April 11: The Pelicans traded runs early and reclaimed the lead in the seventh after Ludwing Espinoza tripled and scored. Jairo Diaz extended the lead with a three-run home run in the eighth, but Columbia responded with a late rally, tying and taking the lead on a double and sacrifice fly. Myrtle Beach was retired in order in the ninth in a 10-8 loss

April 12: Columbia built an early lead with a first-inning grand slam and added runs in the fourth. Myrtle Beach responded with a solo home run from Cole Mathis but struggled to generate sustained offense. Late runs from Eli Lovich and Derik Alcantara narrowed the gap, but the early deficit proved decisive in an 8-3 loss.

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Cubs Transactions

• Chicago Cubs placed RHP Hunter Harvey on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 9, 2026, with right triceps inflammation.

• Chicago Cubs selected the contract of LHP Charlie Barnes from Iowa Cubs.

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