Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Late Pushes Fall Short at Iowa and Knoxville

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Alcántara Drives In Two As Iowa Drops A 7-3 Decision To Toledo

Iowa scored in two of the last four innings but could not climb out of an early hole in a 7-3 loss to Toledo.

Jordan Wicks allowed four runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out five. Three of those runs came in the second inning, when two singles and a walk set up a three-run home run. Toledo added a run in the fourth on a double. Evan Taylor struck out the only batter he faced. Edward Cabrera allowed one run on two hits with a strikeout over two innings.

Gavin Hollowell gave up a hit in a scoreless inning. Tyler Ferguson allowed two runs on three hits. Eduarniel Núñez walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning.

The Iowa offense finally answered in the sixth. Owen Miller opened the inning with a double, and Owen Ayers followed with an RBI double to left.

Ayers moved to third on a wild pitch, and Kevin Alcántara singled him home to cut the deficit to 5-2. Iowa got one more in the eighth. Chas McCormick drew a walk, and Alcántara doubled him in for a 7-3 score.

Alcántara finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Ayers went 2-for-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI. Jordan Nwogu had two hits, and Miller had a double and a walk. Iowa collected eight hits, three doubles, and no home runs, struck out seven times, and left seven runners on base.

Notable Defense

Owen Ayers threw out a runner trying to steal second base. Owen Miller stayed busy at third with a barehanded toss and a diving catch.

Knoxville Ties It In The Eighth Before A Ninth-Inning Loss At Birmingham

Knoxville tied the game in the eighth inning and then lost 4-3 in the ninth on an unearned run at Birmingham.

Kevin Valdez allowed two runs on three hits over five innings, walking one and striking out four. Both runs came on solo home runs in the fourth. Jacob Wallace allowed one run on two hits over two innings, walking one and striking out one. Frankie Scalzo Jr. allowed one unearned run on two hits over 1 1/3 innings with a walk and took the loss.

The Smokies scored first. Kane Kepley singled, advanced on a throwing error, and stole third. Andy Garriola then singled him home for a 1-0 lead.

Knoxville pushed the lead to 2-0 in the fourth. Garriola singled, Ariel Armas and Alex Madera both walked to load the bases, and Garriola came home on a wild pitch. Birmingham answered with two solo home runs in the bottom of the inning and took a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

The Smokies drew even in the eighth. Miguel Useche singled and was lifted for pinch runner Dom Krupinski, who moved to second on a groundout, stole third, and scored on Edgar Alvarez's sacrifice fly. Birmingham won it in the ninth on a single, a stolen base, a throwing error, and a wild pitch.

Garriola finished 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Kepley, Useche, Alvarez, and Karson Simas each had a hit, and Madera drew two walks. Knoxville totaled six hits and no home runs, struck out 11 times, and left eight runners on base.

Notable Defense

Knoxville turned a double play started by Alex Madera and finished by Drew Bowser and Edgar Alvarez. The Smokies were charged with one error, a throwing error in the ninth that moved the winning run to third base.

South Bend's Day Off

The South Bend Cubs did not play. Game 2 of the Western Division Championship Series is scheduled for tonight at 7:05 p.m.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

1. Josiah Hartshorn: DNP
2. Cade Townsend: DNP
3. Jaxon Wiggins: DNP
4. Owen Ayers: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
5. Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, 1 K
6. Ethan Conrad: DNP
7. Caden Sorrell: DNP
8. Kaleb Wing: DNP
9. Myles Bailey: DNP
10. Brooks Caple: DNP
11. James Triantos: 0-for-5, 2 K
12. Will Sanders: DNP
13. Juan Cabada: DNP
14. Jostin Florentino: DNP
15. Derniche Valdez: DNP
16. Grant Kipp: DNP
17. Jose Escobar: DNP
18. Ariel Armas: 0-for-3, BB, 1 K
19. Fernando Cruz: DNP
20. Brandon Birdsell: DNP

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