Chicago Cubs Minor League Report: Palenica Sharp in Third I-Cubs Rehab Appearance; Kepley Leads Knoxville with Three-Hit Performance

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Chicago Cubs Minor League Report

Affiliate Overview

Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Series vs. St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins): Tied, 3-3
Season Record: 48–69-1

Double-A Knoxville Smokies
Series vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas (Los Angeles Angels): Smokies win, 5-1
Season Record: 63–51

High-A South Bend Cubs
Series at Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers): Loons win, 4-2
Season Record: 65–45

Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Series vs. Hill City Howlers (Cleveland Guardians): Pelicans win, 3-2
Season Record: 45–66

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Triple-A: Iowa Cubs

Season Record: 48–69-1
Series Opponent: St. Paul Saints (69-50)
Series Standing: Tied, 3-3

Aug. 16: The Iowa Cubs dropped Sunday’s contest to the St. Paul Saints, 2-1, at Principal Park, to split the six-game set. The Saints took a 1-0 lead in the first and would later double their advantage with a run in the fourth. The Cubs made it 2-1 by scoring their lone run of the contest in the bottom of the fourth after Ben Cowles (0-for-2) bounced into a double play with runners on the corners. Neither team would score the rest of the way, with Iowa getting just two hits over the next five innings. Jordan Wicks got the start on the mound for the I-Cubs and suffered the loss, falling to 2-10 on the season. Wicks allowed two runs on four hits over five innings of work, walked two and struck out six batters. Daniel Palencia, making his third rehab appearance with the Cubs, struck out the side in his inning of work, while also giving up one hit. Antoine Kelly, Jaxon Wiggins and Eduarniel Núñez all turned in one scoreless inning in relief, as the Iowa bullpen combined for four shutout frames, allowing just one hit to go along with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Double-A: Knoxville Smokies

Season Record: 63–51
Series Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas (57–56)
Series Standing: Win, 5-1

Aug. 16: The Knoxville Smokies extended their winning streak to five games with 5-4 victory over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Sunday at Covenant Health Park. The Trash Pandas opened the scoring with a run in the first but the Smokies would take the lead with two in the third, thanks to RBI singles from Andy Garriola (1-for-4) and Miguel Useche (1-for-4). Rocket City would respond with a run in the fourth to tie it but Knoxville answered with a three-run home run off the bat of Kane Kepley (3-for-4) in the home half of the inning to make it 5-2. Smokies starter Kevin Valdez, who would eventually pick up the first win of his Double-A career, spun six innings of one-run ball, allowing two runs on four hits to go along with two walks and six strikeouts, to earn the quality start. Yenrri Rojas followed with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen, retiring all six batters he faced, including one strikeout. The Trash Pandas would score twice in the ninth but Vince Reilly was able to halt the rally to pick up his seventh save of the season and seal the 5-4 victory. Kepley’s three-hit effort was his first such game at the Double-A level and the Cubs’ No. 5 prospect (North Side Baseball) has hit safely in seven of his first nine games with Knoxville since being promoted on August 5.

High-A: South Bend Cubs

Season Record: 65–45
Series Opponent: Great Lakes Loons (63–47)
Series Standing: Lose, 4-2

Aug. 16: The South Bend Cubs salvaged their series finale at the Great Lakes Loons with a 7-4 victory on Sunday at Dow Diamond. The Loons took a 1-0 lead in the third and later made it 4-0 by scoring three times in the sixth. The Cubs then rallied for four runs in the seventh to tie the game. Brennan Hudson (2-for-4) launched a three-run blast, his first-career home run as a professional, and Geuri Lubo (1-for-4) followed with a solo shot two batters later. South Bend went in front in the eighth when Hudson singled home a run and then added two insurance runs in the ninth, one on an RBI-single from Angel Cepeda (1-for-4) and another on an error, to make it 7-4. Ethan Flanagan got the start on the mound for the Cubs and took no decision. Flanagan allowed one run on four hits over 4 1/3 innings of work, walked three and struck out one. Jose Romero worked two shutout frames to end the game and earn his first save of the season. Romero gave up just one hit and amassed four strikeouts.

Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Season Record: 45–66
Series Opponent: Hill City Howlers (48–65)
Series Standing: Win, 3-2

Aug. 16: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans had their series finale against Hill City on Sunday at Pelicans Ballpark canceled due to rain. Since it was the final meeting between the two teams in the 2026 season, the game will not be made up.

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