Travis Klosinski

The Iowa Cubs survived a 13-12 slugfest behind Owen Miller's two homers and three hits each from Pedro Ramírez and Jonathon Long. Brooks Caple struck out six over 3 2/3 scoreless innings in Knoxville's 8-1 win. South Bend pounded out a 14-6 victory behind Christian Olivo's two-homer, six-RBI night. Myrtle Beach erupted for four runs in the 10th to beat Hickory 6-2, with Dominick Reid spinning five scoreless innings of one-hit ball. Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs activated RHP Ethan Roberts from the 15-day injured list. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Gavin Hollowell to Iowa Cubs. Iowa Cubs Outlast Columbus In 13-12 Slugfest The Iowa Cubs scored in five different innings to outlast the Columbus Clippers 13-12. Iowa fell behind 6-2 through two innings, then exploded for six runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth before holding off a five-run Columbus rally in the ninth. Owen Miller went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four runs batted in to lead the offense. Pedro Ramírez and Jonathon Long each finished with three hits, with Long driving in two and walking once. James Triantos went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI, and Justin Dean homered as the leadoff hitter while going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Scott Kingery added two hits, a walk, a run, and a stolen base, while Eric Yang also homered. The fourth inning produced the biggest swing. Scott Kingery walked, Justin Dean reached on a bunt single, and Pedro Ramírez singled to load the bases. After a lineout and a strikeout, Jonathon Long walked to push a run across, James Triantos singled home two more, and Owen Miller capped the rally with a two-run homer to left center to put Iowa ahead 8-6. Doug Nikhazy struggled in his start, allowing six runs on six hits over four innings with three walks, three strikeouts, and three home runs surrendered. Ryan Jensen tossed a clean fifth to earn the win, Vince Velasquez worked three innings while picking up a hold, and Gabe Klobosits closed it out despite allowing two runs in the ninth. Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean 5 2 2 1 1 1 Pedro Ramírez 4 2 3 1 0 0 BJ Murray 5 0 0 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 5 1 1 1 0 2 Jonathon Long 4 2 3 2 1 0 James Triantos 5 2 2 2 0 1 Owen Miller 5 2 3 4 0 0 Eric Yang 5 1 1 1 0 4 Scott Kingery 4 1 2 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Doug Nikhazy 4 6 6 6 3 3 3 Ryan Jensen 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 Vince Velasquez 3 2 4 4 5 4 0 Gabe Klobosits 1 3 2 2 0 2 0 Knoxville Smokies Walk Their Way Past Birmingham The Knoxville Smokies drew 10 walks, scored eight runs, and beat the Birmingham Barons 8-1 in a seven-inning game. Knoxville managed only one hit on the night but reached base often enough to break the game open in the fourth. Owen Ayers had the lone hit, a bases-clearing triple in the fourth, and finished 1-for-2 with three runs batted in, a run scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Jefferson Rojas drew a walk and drove in a run. Andy Garriola walked twice, scored a run, and drove in another. Hayden Cantrelle, Ethan Hearn, and Devin Ortiz each scored twice while reaching base multiple times via walks. Jordan Nwogu drew two walks, scored a run, and drove in another. The fourth inning produced all of the heavy damage. Owen Ayers, Edgar Alvarez, and Hayden Cantrelle each walked to load the bases, then Ethan Hearn drew a walk that forced in the first run. Devin Ortiz walked to bring home another. After a strikeout, Jordan Nwogu walked in a third run. After another strikeout, Andy Garriola drew a fourth bases-loaded walk. Owen Ayers then cleared the bases with a triple to right field to make it a seven-run inning. Brooks Caple turned in a strong start, throwing 3 2/3 innings while allowing two hits and no runs with two walks and six strikeouts. Marino Santy followed with 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball to pick up the win, and Tyler Ras worked a clean seventh. Player AB R H RBI BB K Carter Trice 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jordan Nwogu 2 1 0 1 2 1 Jefferson Rojas 3 0 0 1 1 2 Andy Garriola 2 1 0 1 1 0 Owen Ayers 2 1 1 3 1 0 Edgar Alvarez 2 1 0 0 1 0 Hayden Cantrelle 2 1 0 0 1 1 Ethan Hearn 1 2 0 0 1 1 Devin Ortiz 1 1 0 1 2 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brooks Caple 3 2/3 2 0 0 2 6 0 Marino Santy 2 1/3 2 1 1 1 4 0 Tyler Ras 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Christian Olivo's Historic Two Homers Power South Bend Past Lansing The South Bend Cubs hit four home runs and beat the Lansing Lugnuts 14-6 at Four Winds Field. South Bend trailed 2-0 after the first but scored in five separate innings to take control of the game. Christian Olivo led the offense with a 4-for-4 night that included two home runs, six runs batted in, three runs scored, and a walk, a history making evening as he and Kevin Alcántara are the only South Bend Cubs to achieve this feat. Alex Madera went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI, while Ty Southisene added two hits and a run. Justin Stransky doubled, walked, and drove in two runs while crossing the plate twice. Matt Halbach reached base four times with a hit and three walks, scoring twice and driving in a run. Cole Mathis doubled, walked, and scored twice. Leonel Espinoza had two hits and an RBI, and Cameron Sisneros added a hit, a walk, and a run. The fifth and sixth innings broke it open. In the fifth, Cameron Sisneros singled, Cole Mathis doubled, Matt Halbach singled in a run, and Leonel Espinoza singled to bring home another. After two outs, Christian Olivo drilled a three-run homer to left to make it 8-3. The sixth started with Ty Southisene reaching on an error and two walks loading the bases. Alex Madera then singled in two runs, Justin Stransky doubled in two more, and Christian Olivo followed with a two-run home run to push the lead to 14-3. Kevin Valdez allowed three runs over 3 1/3 innings as the starter, giving up seven hits and two home runs with two walks and a strikeout. Kenyi Perez followed with 1 2/3 hitless innings, walking one and striking out five to earn the win. Ethan Flanagan worked four innings, allowing three runs while striking out five for the save. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 5 0 0 1 0 1 Ty Southisene 5 1 2 0 0 0 Cameron Sisneros 4 1 1 0 1 1 Cole Mathis 4 2 1 0 1 2 Matt Halbach 2 2 1 1 3 1 Leonel Espinoza 5 1 2 1 0 3 Alex Madera 5 2 3 2 0 0 Justin Stransky 4 2 1 2 1 0 Christian Olivo 4 3 4 6 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kevin Valdez 3 1/3 7 3 3 2 1 2 Kenyi Perez 1 2/3 0 0 0 1 5 0 Ethan Flanagan 4 7 3 3 1 5 1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Erupt In 10th To Top Hickory The Myrtle Beach Pelicans broke a 2-2 tie with four runs in the 10th inning to beat the Hickory Crawdads 6-2. Myrtle Beach had taken a 2-0 lead through three innings before Hickory tied it with a two-run home run in the eighth, but the offense responded in extras to put the game away. Josiah Hartshorn went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. Darlyn De Leon finished 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs, an RBI, and a walk. Alexis Hernandez led off with a 3-for-5 night and a run scored. Jose Escobar went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI, and Alexey Lumpuy added two hits and an RBI. Edward Vargas reached twice and scored a run. Michael Carico walked once and drove in a run. The 10th inning broke the game open. With Edward Vargas placed at second base as the zombie runner, Darlyn De Leon walked, and Alexis Hernandez singled to put runners at the corners. After a strikeout, Alexey Lumpuy singled to bring home Vargas. Michael Carico then grounded out to plate De Leon, and Jose Escobar followed with a two-run double to right field to push the lead to four. Dominick Reid was sharp in his start, throwing five scoreless innings on one hit with no walks and six strikeouts. Daniel Avitia worked three innings and allowed two runs on a home run in the eighth, taking a blown save. Jordan Henriquez closed it out with two hitless innings, striking out four to pick up the win. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 5 1 3 0 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn 4 1 2 1 0 1 Alexey Lumpuy 5 1 2 1 0 0 Michael Carico 4 0 0 1 1 0 Jose Escobar 5 0 2 2 0 1 Derniche Valdez 5 0 0 0 0 3 Jairo Diaz 2 0 0 0 2 0 Edward Vargas 4 1 2 0 0 2 Darlyn De Leon 3 2 1 1 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dominick Reid 5 1 0 0 0 6 0 Daniel Avitia 3 3 2 2 1 5 1 Jordan Henriquez 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K Kevin Alcántara: 1-for-5, R, RBI, 2 K, SB Jonathon Long: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramírez: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI Kane Kepley: 0-for-5, RBI, K Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, K, SB James Triantos: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, K Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, 2 K Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: 5 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K Ty Southisene: 2-for-5, R Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article

South Bend and Myrtle Beach claimed wins while Iowa and Knoxville suffered narrow defeats. Cole Mathis launched a two-run homer in the sixth as South Bend topped Lansing 3-1, with Koen Moreno tossing four scoreless innings. Grant Kipp struck out eight over five frames in Knoxville's 4-1 loss. Myrtle Beach rallied for six runs in the eighth to top Hickory 9-7. Connor Noland fanned five over five innings in Iowa's 4-2 loss. Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs designated RHP Corbin Martin for assignment. Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Gavin Hollowell from Iowa Cubs. Athletics traded RHP Tyler Ferguson to Chicago Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Iowa Cubs. Iowa Cubs Drop Close Decision To Columbus On Late Home Runs The Iowa Cubs fell 4-2 to the Columbus Clippers, dropping a tight game decided by back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning. Iowa managed five hits and stranded four runners. The Cubs pushed both of their runs across in the bottom of the third. Ben Cowles drew a leadoff walk, Scott Kingery followed with a single, and Owen Miller singled to load the bases. Justin Dean grounded into a double play that scored Cowles for the tying run. After BJ Murray walked, Kingery scampered home on a wild pitch during Pedro Ramirez's strikeout to give Iowa a 2-1 edge. The game was at a tie until the eighth thanks to great defensive plays, particularly from Kingery at second. In the eighth, Paul Campbell allowed solo home runs to two consecutive Columbus batters that flipped the score for good. Connor Noland started for Iowa, working five innings while allowing two runs on four hits with five walks and five strikeouts. Campbell took the loss, surrendering two runs on three hits over four innings with four strikeouts. BJ Murray, Kevin Alcantara, James Triantos, Scott Kingery, and Owen Miller each collected a base hit. Iowa drew three walks but did not record an RBI as a team. Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean 3 0 0 0 1 0 BJ Murray 3 0 1 0 1 0 Pedro Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Kevin Alcántara 4 0 1 0 0 1 Christian Bethancourt 3 0 0 0 0 1 James Triantos 4 0 1 0 0 2 Ben Cowles 2 1 0 0 1 0 Scott Kingery 3 1 1 0 0 0 Owen Miller 3 0 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Noland 5 4 2 2 5 5 0 Paul Campbell 4 3 2 2 0 4 2 Owen Ayers' Solo Shot Not Enough In Knoxville Loss Owen Ayers' second-inning home run gave the Knoxville Smokies an early lead, but the offense could not add to it as the Birmingham Barons rallied for a 4-1 win. Knoxville committed three errors and stranded six. Ayers connected on a solo shot to left center in the bottom of the second for Knoxville's lone run. The Smokies finished with five hits and went silent over the final seven innings. Birmingham tied the game in the third on a triple. An error by Ayers in the sixth allowed an unearned run to score, putting the Barons ahead. Birmingham added insurance in the ninth on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. Grant Kipp turned in a strong start, allowing one run on three hits over five innings while striking out eight without walking a batter. Jace Beck took the loss with two innings of relief, surrendering one unearned run on one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. Evan Taylor worked a clean inning, while Luis Rujano gave up two runs on two hits with two walks in the ninth. Ayers' homer was Knoxville's only extra-base hit. Jordan Nwogu, Ariel Armas, Hayden Cantrelle, and Karson Simas each added a single. Jefferson Rojas, Nwogu, and Cantrelle drew walks for the Smokies. Player AB R H RBI BB K Carter Trice 4 0 0 0 0 0 Jordan Nwogu 3 0 1 0 1 0 Jefferson Rojas 3 0 0 0 1 1 Andy Garriola 3 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 4 1 1 1 0 1 Ariel Armas 4 0 1 0 0 2 Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 0 Hayden Cantrelle 2 0 1 0 1 1 Karson Simas 3 0 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 5 3 1 1 0 8 0 Jace Beck 2 1 1 0 1 4 0 Evan Taylor 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Luis Rujano 1 2 2 2 2 1 0 Cole Mathis' Three-Run Sixth Powers South Bend Past Lansing The South Bend Cubs broke open a scoreless game with a three-run sixth inning, holding on to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts 3-1. Cole Mathis' two-run homer was the centerpiece of the rally, and Koen Moreno led a strong pitching effort. Lansing scratched out their only run in the eighth on a wild pitch, but the Cubs held on. Moreno started and tossed four scoreless innings on two hits, walking two and striking out five. Jackson Brockett earned the win with two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out five. JP Wheat was charged with the run on one hit over 1 1/3 innings, fanning two. Ethan Bell recorded the save across 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Mathis finished with the homer, two RBI, a walk, and a run scored. Bowser had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Snell added two singles, a stolen base, and a run scored. Kane Kepley and Alex Madera each had a hit, while Sisneros walked twice and scored. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 0 1 0 0 0 Ty Southisene 4 0 0 0 0 0 Cameron Sisneros 2 1 0 0 2 1 Cole Mathis 3 1 1 2 1 1 Kade Snell 4 1 2 0 0 0 Leonel Espinoza 4 0 0 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 4 0 2 1 0 1 Justin Stransky 3 0 0 0 0 2 Alex Madera 3 0 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Koen Moreno 4 2 0 0 2 5 0 Jackson Brockett 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 JP Wheat 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 2 0 Ethan Bell 1 2/3 2 0 0 1 4 0 Pelicans Rally For Six In Eighth To Top Hickory The Myrtle Beach Pelicans erased a four-run deficit with a six-run eighth inning to beat the Hickory Crawdads 9-7. The rally featured five walks, an error, and an RBI single by Alexis Hernandez. Myrtle Beach trailed 7-3 entering the eighth. After two quick outs, the Pelicans loaded the bases on consecutive walks from Michael Carico, Logan Poteet, and Jose Escobar. Yahil Melendez reached on a missed catch error that allowed Carico and Poteet to score, cutting the lead to 7-5. Eli Lovich walked, and Darlyn De Leon drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Escobar. Hernandez then singled to center to plate Melendez and Lovich for the go-ahead runs. De Leon scored on a wild pitch during Josiah Hartshorn's at-bat, and Hartshorn walked before Alexey Lumpuy struck out to end the frame. Earlier, Logan Poteet homered in the fourth for the team's first run, and Lumpuy's two-run homer to right center in the sixth had pulled the Pelicans within 4-3. Mason McGwire started and allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits over four innings, walking one and striking out seven. Braylon Myers earned the win despite a rough outing, allowing four runs on four hits across three innings with one walk and four strikeouts. Riely Hunsaker closed the door with two scoreless innings, recording one strikeout and earning the save. Hernandez led the offense with two hits, two RBI, and a stolen base. Lumpuy added a hit and two RBI on his homer. Poteet went 2-for-3 with the homer and a walk. Jose Escobar collected two hits and two walks. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 5 0 2 2 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn 4 1 0 0 1 1 Alexey Lumpuy 5 1 1 2 0 1 Michael Carico 3 1 0 0 2 2 Logan Poteet 3 2 2 1 1 0 Jose Escobar 3 1 2 0 2 0 Yahil Melendez 5 1 0 0 0 2 Eli Lovich 3 1 0 0 1 2 Darlyn De Leon 3 1 1 1 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Mason McGwire 4 6 3 1 1 7 0 Braylon Myers 3 4 4 4 1 4 0 Riely Hunsaker 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-3, BB, K Kevin Alcantara: 1-for-4, K Jonathon Long: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramirez: 0-for-4, K Kane Kepley: 1-for-4 Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4, R, BB, K James Triantos: 1-for-4, 2 K Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Ty Southisene: 0-for-4 Erian Rodriguez: DNP ``` View full article

Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs designated LHP Charlie Barnes for assignment. Chicago Cubs placed LHP Matthew Boyd on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 4, 2026. Left meniscus injury. Chicago Cubs sent RHP Yacksel Ríos outright to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs selected the contract of RHP Trent Thornton from Iowa Cubs. Pedro Ramírez Walks Off Iowa Past Columbus In 11 The Iowa Cubs outlasted the Columbus Clippers 3-2 in 11 innings on a walk-off single from Pedro Ramírez that scored Owen Miller from second base. Ramírez finished 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Miller produced the top hitting line, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Christian Bethancourt knotted the game in the bottom of the 10th on an RBI single up the middle that scored zombie runner Ben Cowles, and BJ Murray drove in Miller with a sixth-inning sacrifice fly for Iowa's first run. Charlie Barnes opened with five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four. Collin Snider was charged with one earned run across 1 1/3 innings, but Luke Little held Columbus to a single unearned run over two innings to pick up the win. The decisive stretch came in the final two frames. Columbus took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th when Kody Huff doubled to left to plate the zombie runner, only for Bethancourt to answer in the bottom half. In the 11th, Miller again opened the inning at second as the zombie runner, Justin Dean dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move him to third, Murray drew a walk, and Ramírez lined his single to left to send Iowa home a winner. Iowa managed only four hits but drew five walks and stranded seven runners. Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean, cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 BJ Murray, 1b 3 0 0 1 1 2 Pedro Ramírez, 3b 4 0 1 1 1 1 Kevin Alcántara, rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 Jonathon Long, lf 3 0 0 0 1 2 Ben Cowles, pr-ss 0 1 0 0 0 0 James Triantos, 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 Christian Bethancourt, dh 4 0 1 1 0 0 Eric Yang, c 4 0 0 0 0 1 Owen Miller, ss-lf 3 2 2 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Charlie Barnes 5 4 0 0 1 4 0 Ethan Roberts 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 Collin Snider 1 1/3 2 1 1 1 1 0 Gabe Klobosits 1 2/3 3 0 0 0 2 0 Luke Little 2 1 1 0 1 2 0 Knoxville Smokies Game Postponed The Double-A Knoxville Smokies did not play. The game was postponed. Cole Mathis Powers South Bend Past Lansing The South Bend Cubs took down the Lansing Lugnuts 3-1 behind a three-run sixth inning fueled by a Cole Mathis two-run home run to follow his pervious games triple, homerun, and triple at the plate. Mathis finished 1-for-3 with the homer, two RBIs, a walk, a run scored, and a strikeout, and the long ball was his second of the season. Cole Mathis was labeled Player of the Game, if you haven't had a chance to hear from him check below. Drew Bowser added a 2-for-4 night with a double, an RBI, and a strikeout. Kade Snell also collected two hits and scored a run while stealing a base, while Kane Kepley and Alex Madera each contributed singles to South Bend's seven-hit total. Koen Moreno started and turned in four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out five on 75 pitches. Jackson Brockett followed with two hitless and scoreless innings, striking out five. The bottom of the sixth flipped a scoreless contest. Cameron Sisneros opened with a walk before Mathis launched a two-run shot to left field. Snell singled, Leonel Espinoza struck out, and Bowser doubled into left to plate Snell from first. Justin Stransky struck out, and Madera then added a bunt single, but Bowser was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second to end the rally. South Bend stranded seven runners on the night. A play of note was Kane Kepley's wild sprint in center for a diving play in the seventh. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley, cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 Ty Southisene, ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 Cameron Sisneros, 1b 2 1 0 0 2 1 Cole Mathis, dh 3 1 1 2 1 1 Kade Snell, rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 Leonel Espinoza, lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 Drew Bowser, 2b 4 0 2 1 0 1 Justin Stransky, c 3 0 0 0 0 2 Alex Madera, 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Koen Moreno 4 2 0 0 2 5 0 Jackson Brockett 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 JP Wheat 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 2 0 Ethan Bell 1 2/3 2 0 0 1 4 0 Logan Poteet Homers, But Pelicans Fall To Hickory The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped a 4-2 decision to the Hickory Crawdads despite a Logan Poteet solo home run, his fourth of the season, in the top of the ninth inning. Poteet finished 1-for-4 with the homer, an RBI, a run scored, and a strikeout. Geuri Lubo led the offense with a 2-for-4 effort that included a double, an RBI, and a strikeout. Pierce Coppola opened with four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out five on 64 pitches. Edwardo Melendez took the loss after surrendering four earned runs on four hits and two walks across two innings, with two home runs allowed. Aiden Moffett followed with two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out one. Lubo gave the Pelicans the early edge with an RBI double in the top of the fourth that scored Carico, and Coppola kept Hickory off the board through four. The Crawdads broke through against Melendez in the fifth on a triple and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead, then added two more in the sixth on solo home runs to push their advantage to 4-1. Poteet's ninth-inning shot pulled Myrtle Beach within two but came too late. The Pelicans stranded five runners on the night. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez, ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn, rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 Alexey Lumpuy, cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 Michael Carico, 1b 2 1 0 0 2 1 Logan Poteet, c 4 1 1 1 0 1 Jose Escobar, 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 Geuri Lubo, lf 4 0 2 1 0 1 Derniche Valdez, 3b 3 0 1 0 0 1 Edward Vargas, dh 3 0 1 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Pierce Coppola 4 2 0 0 0 5 0 Edwardo Melendez 2 4 4 4 2 1 2 Aiden Moffett 2 1 0 0 3 1 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: DNP Kevin Alcantara: 0-for-3, BB, K Jonathon Long: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramirez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K Kane Kepley: 1-for-4 Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-3, BB, K James Triantos: 0-for-4, K Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Ty Southisene: 0-for-4 Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article

Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Alcántara's Three-Hit Night Wasted In 16-2 Iowa Loss At St. Paul The Iowa Cubs were buried 16-2 in St. Paul, allowing seven home runs as a staff while managing only six hits of their own. Kevin Alcántara was the lone bright spot at the plate. The cleanup hitter went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, his 11th of the season, scoring twice and driving in a run. BJ Murray added a 2-for-3 line with a double, an RBI, and a walk, and leadoff man Brett Bateman drew two walks. The Cubs went a combined 0-for-22 from everyone outside of Alcántara, Murray, and Bateman. Things came apart immediately. Starter Collin Snider lasted just 1 1/3 innings, surrendering three home runs and three runs on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Paul Campbell followed with four innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, and three more long balls while striking out four. Doug Nikhazy took the loss in his Iowa debut, charged with eight earned runs on six hits and three walks across 2 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts. The Saints stretched the game open with a four-run third that included a two-run shot off Campbell, then added three more in the seventh and one in the eighth. Alcántara accounted for both Iowa runs. He singled in the second and scored on Murray's RBI double, then launched his solo homer to right-center in the seventh. Iowa left five on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 2 0 1 0 2 0 Pedro Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Jonathon Long 4 0 0 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 4 2 3 1 0 1 BJ Murray 3 0 2 1 1 0 Owen Miller 3 0 0 0 1 1 Christian Bethancourt 4 0 0 0 0 2 Scott Kingery 3 0 0 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 2 0 0 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Collin Snider 1 1/3 3 3 3 1 2 3 Paul Campbell 4.0 7 5 5 1 4 3 Doug Nikhazy (L, 0-2) 2 2/3 6 8 8 3 4 1 Garriola's Two-Homer Game Falls Short In Smokies' 7-5 Loss The Knoxville Smokies dropped a 7-5 decision at Rocket City, undone by a five-run bottom of the fifth that erased a two-run Knoxville lead. Andy Garriola powered the offense with two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored, and a walk over a 2-for-3 night. He gave Knoxville its first lead with a two-run shot in the second that scored cleanup hitter Jefferson Rojas, then went deep again leading off the fourth to push the margin to 3-1. Rojas finished 2-for-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI, knocking in Owen Ayers in the sixth. Ethan Hearn drove in Jordan Nwogu with a double in the eighth. Tyler Schlaffer started and worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out three. Vince Reilly tossed two scoreless and hitless innings of relief, walking none and striking out four. Jace Beck took the loss, charged with five earned runs on seven hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts. The decisive frame opened with a Schlaffer groundout, but a single off Schlaffer brought on Beck, and Beck immediately surrendered three straight singles, with the third plating the runner he inherited and a teammate to tie the score at 3. A walk loaded the bases, and a fielder's choice grounder fielded by Hearn at first scored two more runs after a fielding error by catcher Ayers. A two-out RBI double accounted for the fifth run. Knoxville left seven on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 0 1 0 0 0 Jordan Nwogu 4 1 1 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 3 1 0 0 1 2 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 2 1 0 0 Andy Garriola 3 2 2 3 1 0 Ethan Hearn 4 0 1 1 0 2 Carter Trice 4 0 1 0 0 3 Ed Howard 3 0 1 0 0 1 Edgar Alvarez 1 0 0 0 0 0 Alex Madera 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Tyler Schlaffer 4 1/3 3 2 1 4 3 0 Vince Reilly 2.0 0 0 0 0 4 0 Jace Beck (L, 2-1) 1 2/3 7 5 5 1 2 0 South Bend Loses 7-6 As Bullpen Coughs Up Late Lead To Fort Wayne The South Bend Cubs squandered a one-run lead in the ninth and fell 7-6 to the Fort Wayne TinCaps, with reliever JP Wheat charged with the loss and a blown save after walking in two runs. Cleanup hitter Cole Mathis paced the offense with a 1-for-3 night that included a triple, two runs scored, an RBI, two walks, and a stolen base. Drew Bowser tied the game in the fifth with a two-run double. Leadoff man Kane Kepley went 1-for-4 with an RBI walk, a run scored, and a walk. Cameron Sisneros walked twice and added an RBI single in the third. Starter Ethan Flanagan delivered four innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four. Kevin Valdez followed with 3 2/3 innings of relief, charged with four earned runs on six hits, three walks, and two strikeouts, including a solo homer in the fifth. Kenyi Perez recorded one out without surrendering a baserunner. Wheat covered one inning, walking four batters and giving up two runs without allowing a hit while striking out one. South Bend trailed 5-3 entering the bottom of the fifth before Bowser tied it with his two-run double, scoring Mathis and Sisneros. The Cubs grabbed a 6-5 lead in the eighth, when Kepley's bases-loaded walk plated Matt Halbach. Wheat opened the ninth with two quick groundouts before walking four straight batters; the fourth walk resulted in two runs scoring to put Fort Wayne ahead 7-6, and a strikeout ended the inning. South Bend left nine on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 1 1 1 1 1 Leonel Espinoza 5 1 1 0 0 3 Kade Snell 4 0 0 0 1 1 Cole Mathis 3 2 1 1 2 2 Cameron Sisneros 3 1 1 1 2 2 Matt Halbach 4 1 0 1 1 1 Drew Bowser 2 0 1 2 1 1 Justin Stransky 4 0 1 0 0 1 Christian Olivo 4 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ethan Flanagan 4.0 4 1 1 1 4 0 Kevin Valdez 3 2/3 6 4 4 3 2 1 Kenyi Perez 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 JP Wheat (L, 1-1)(BS, 1) 1.0 0 2 2 4 1 0 Pelicans Edged 4-3 Despite Reid's Strong Five-Inning Outing The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped a 4-3 decision to the Columbia Fireflies, falling behind for good in the eighth on a fielder's choice grounder. Starter Dominick Reid turned in five innings, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned), four walks, and striking out six. Hayden Frank took the loss across four innings of relief, charged with two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Myrtle Beach grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the first. Leadoff man Alexis Hernandez singled, Josiah Hartshorn walked, and after a strikeout, cleanup hitter Logan Poteet drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Jose Escobar then singled to left to plate Hernandez and Hartshorn for a 2-0 advantage. Columbia tied the game at 2 in the fifth, getting a run on a bases-loaded walk and another on an RBI single after a fielding error by third baseman Yahil Melendez extended the inning. The Fireflies took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on a soft RBI grounder, but Myrtle Beach answered in the bottom half when Poteet singled home Michael Carico to tie it at 3. Columbia retook the lead in the eighth, stringing together two singles and a walk against Frank before a force-out grounder plated the winning run. Hartshorn went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, Hernandez had a hit and a run, Melendez doubled, Carico walked twice and stole a base, and Escobar drove in the two first-inning runs. The Pelicans left nine on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 5 1 1 0 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn 4 1 1 0 1 0 Michael Carico 3 1 0 0 2 1 Logan Poteet 2 0 1 1 2 0 Jose Escobar 4 0 1 2 0 1 Derniche Valdez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Yahil Melendez 4 0 1 0 0 0 Edward Vargas 4 0 0 0 0 0 Darlyn De Leon 3 0 0 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dominick Reid 5.0 5 2 1 4 6 0 Hayden Frank (L, 1-1) 4.0 3 2 1 1 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI Kevin Alcantara: 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, K Jonathon Long: 0-for-4 Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramirez: 0-for-4, K Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, R, RBI, BB, K Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-4, R, BB James Triantos: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K, SB Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K Ty Southisene: DNP Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article

Iowa Bullpen Shines But Bats Strand Eight In 3-1 Loss The Iowa Cubs collected eight hits at St. Paul but stranded eight runners in a 3-1 loss to the Saints. James Triantos went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Jonathon Long also went 2-for-4 and drove in the team's only run. Charlie Barnes took the loss after five innings, allowing two hits, three earned runs, three walks, and a home run while striking out four. Luke Little, Ethan Roberts, and Tyler Beede combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, with Little issuing two walks, Beede issuing one, and the trio combining for three strikeouts. The Saints jumped ahead in the bottom of the third on a solo home run. Iowa's deficit grew in the bottom of the fifth when, with the bases loaded, a walk forced in the second run and a sacrifice fly drove in the third for a 3-0 lead. Iowa cut the lead in the top of the eighth. With one out, Triantos singled, advanced to third on a fielding error, and scored when Long lined a single to left field. Chas McCormick flied out to end the inning, and the Cubs went down quietly in the ninth. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman, CF 3 0 1 0 1 0 James Triantos, 3B 4 1 2 0 0 0 Pedro Ramírez, 2B 4 0 1 0 0 1 Jonathon Long, 1B 4 0 2 1 0 0 Hayden Cantrelle, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chas McCormick, DH 4 0 0 0 0 1 Dylan Carlson, LF-1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 Scott Kingery, SS 4 0 0 0 0 3 Christian Bethancourt, C 4 0 1 0 0 2 Justin Dean, RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Charlie Barnes (L) 5.0 2 3 3 3 4 1 Luke Little 1.0 0 0 0 2 1 0 Ethan Roberts 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Tyler Beede 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Smokies Held To Two Hits In 4-1 Loss At Rocket City The Knoxville Smokies managed just two hits in a 4-1 loss to Rocket City. Jefferson Rojas doubled, and Alex Madera singled. Jordan Nwogu drew two walks and scored Knoxville's lone run, Owen Ayers picked up the team's only RBI on a sacrifice fly, and Andy Garriola and Edgar Alvarez each walked. Grant Kipp took the loss after 1 2/3 innings, surrendering five hits, four earned runs, and three walks while striking out two. The bullpen kept the deficit at four. Luis Martinez-Gomez tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, two walks, and a hit allowed, and Frankie Scalzo Jr. followed with two scoreless frames, allowing one hit, two walks, and striking out two. The Trash Pandas got on the board first in the bottom of the first when an RBI single brought home a run. They tacked on three more in the bottom of the second. A walk preceded a wild pitch by Kipp that allowed a run to score, and a two-run single capped the rally to push the lead to 4-0. Knoxville's only run came in the top of the sixth. With one out, Nwogu walked, Rojas doubled to right field to put runners on second and third, and Ayers lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring Nwogu home. Garriola walked to extend the inning, but Alvarez struck out to leave two runners stranded. Player AB R H RBI BB K Jordan Nwogu, CF 1 1 0 0 2 1 Jefferson Rojas, SS 3 0 1 0 0 1 Owen Ayers, C 2 0 0 1 0 0 Andy Garriola, RF 2 0 0 0 1 1 Edgar Alvarez, 1B 2 0 0 0 1 2 Carter Trice, LF 3 0 0 0 0 1 Ethan Hearn, DH 3 0 0 0 0 1 Devin Ortiz, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 Alex Madera, 2B 2 0 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp (L) 1 2/3 5 4 4 3 2 0 Luis Martinez-Gomez 2 1/3 1 0 0 2 3 0 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 2.0 1 0 0 2 2 0 Espinoza's Two-Hit Night Lone Bright Spot In South Bend's 6-1 Loss The South Bend Cubs were limited to four hits in a 6-1 home loss to Fort Wayne, with Leonel Espinoza accounting for two of them and the team's only run. Espinoza finished 2-for-2 with a double, a solo home run, and an RBI. Cole Mathis added a single and a walk, Matt Halbach singled, and Reginald Preciado was hit by a pitch before being lifted for Espinoza. Koen Moreno took the loss after 4 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, five earned runs, one walk, and a home run while striking out five. The bullpen held Fort Wayne off the board for a stretch. Nate Williams worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, a walk, and a hit allowed. The TinCaps scored single runs in the second, third, and fourth innings, then broke the game open in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run that pushed the lead to 5-0. Espinoza got South Bend on the board in the bottom of the eighth with a home run to left center field that pulled the Cubs within 5-1. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kade Snell, CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 Cole Mathis, 1B 3 0 1 0 1 0 Cameron Sisneros, LF 3 0 0 0 1 0 Matt Halbach, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 Reginald Preciado, DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leonel Espinoza, DH 2 1 2 1 0 0 Drew Bowser, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 2 Miguel Useche, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 Geuri Lubo, RF 3 0 0 0 0 3 Christian Olivo, SS 2 0 0 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Koen Moreno (L) 4 2/3 7 5 5 1 5 1 Nate Williams 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 3 0 Ethan Bell 2.0 0 0 0 0 4 0 Kenyi Perez 1.0 1 1 1 1 2 0 Pelicans Plate Four In Second, Hold Off Columbia 4-2 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans plated all four of their runs in the bottom of the second inning and held off Columbia 4-2 at home. Alexey Lumpuy led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Michael Carico and Eli Lovich each added two hits, Alexis Hernandez tripled and walked, and Derniche Valdez singled, walked, and drove in a run. Jairo Diaz contributed an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Edwardo Melendez delivered four innings of one-hit ball, walking one, striking out four, and allowing one unearned run. Victor Zarraga earned the win after 3 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and one earned run while issuing three walks and striking out six. Braylon Myers picked up the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two walks while striking out three. Columbia scored an unearned run in the top of the second when a runner came home from third on a groundout that was extended by an error. Myrtle Beach answered immediately. Carico and Lovich opened the bottom half with back-to-back singles, and Hernandez walked to load the bases. Valdez walked to force in Carico, and Diaz lifted a sacrifice fly to score Lovich. After a lineout, Ty Southisene was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, and Lumpuy lined a two-run double to right field to make it 4-1. The Fireflies pulled within two with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth, but Myers stranded the bases loaded with a strikeout to end the threat and retired Columbia in order in the ninth. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ty Southisene, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 Alexey Lumpuy, CF 4 0 2 2 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn, RF 4 0 0 0 0 0 Michael Carico, 1B 4 1 2 0 0 0 Eli Lovich, LF 4 1 2 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez, 2B 3 1 1 0 1 2 Derniche Valdez, 3B 3 1 1 1 1 0 Jairo Diaz, C 2 0 0 1 0 1 Edward Vargas, DH 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Edwardo Melendez 4.0 1 1 0 1 4 0 Victor Zarraga (W) 3 1/3 2 1 1 3 6 0 Braylon Myers (S) 1 2/3 0 0 0 2 3 0 Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-3, 2B, K Kevin Alcantara: DNP Jonathon Long: 2-for-4, RBI Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramirez: 1-for-4, K, SB Kane Kepley: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4 James Triantos: 2-for-4, R Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-3, BB Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Ty Southisene: 0-for-3 Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions (4/29) No Roster Moves Pedro Ramírez Homer, Long's Three RBI Lead I-Cubs Past Saints 11-4 The Iowa Cubs piled up 14 hits in an 11-4 road win over St. Paul. Pedro Ramírez led the charge with a two-run homer, three runs scored, and two RBI. Cleanup hitter Jonathon Long went 3-for-6 with three RBI, and Chas McCormick added three hits, two runs, and three RBI with a homer of his own. Ty Blach turned in a winning effort, working five innings with four hits allowed, three runs, three earned, one walk, and six strikeouts to improve to 2-1. Collin Snider, Ryan Jensen, and Gabe Klobosits each tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and Zac Leigh allowed a solo home run in the seventh. Iowa fell behind 3-1 after the second when the Saints answered Bateman's RBI double with a run-scoring single and a two-run homer. Ramírez tied it in the third with his two-run homer that scored Triantos. The lead and the offensive surge came in the sixth. BJ Murray opened with a single, Triantos walked, and after a force out, Long lined a two-run single to right that scored Murray and Ramírez. Kevin Alcántara then walked, and McCormick lined a single to right scoring Long for a 9-3 lead. Iowa added two more in the seventh on another RBI single from Long. Player AB R H RBI BB K BJ Murray 6 1 1 1 0 1 James Triantos 5 2 2 0 1 0 Pedro Ramírez 4 3 1 2 1 1 Jonathon Long 6 1 3 3 0 1 Kevin Alcántara 3 1 1 0 1 1 Justin Dean 0 0 0 0 1 0 Chas McCormick 4 2 3 3 1 0 Brett Bateman 3 0 1 1 2 0 Eric Yang 3 0 0 0 2 2 Hayden Cantrelle 5 1 2 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ty Blach 5.0 4 3 3 1 6 1 Collin Snider 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Zac Leigh 1.0 3 1 1 0 1 1 Ryan Jensen 1.0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Gabe Klobosits 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Smokies Held To Four Hits In 6-0 Shutout Loss At Rocket City Knoxville was held to just four hits in a 6-0 loss at the Trash Pandas. Cleanup hitter Jefferson Rojas had the lone extra-base hit, a double in three at-bats. Jordan Nwogu, Carter Trice, and Karson Simas each contributed a single. The Smokies struck out seven times and stranded three runners. Starter Yenrri Rojas turned in a strong outing in defeat, going four innings with five hits, two earned runs, no walks, six strikeouts, and one home run allowed to fall to 0-2. Ben Johnson followed with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Evan Taylor came on in the seventh and finished the game with 1 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings and four strikeouts. Rocket City scored single runs in the second on a two-out RBI single, and in the third on a leadoff solo home run off Yenrri Rojas. The seventh broke the game open. Tyler Ras worked the inning and was tagged for three hits, two walks, and four runs (three earned) while recording just one out. The big damage came on a ground-rule double, a two-RBI single that drove in the runners, and a fielder's choice that brought in the inning's fourth run on a missed catch error at second base. Taylor entered to record the final two outs of the frame. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 2 Jordan Nwogu 4 0 1 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 4 0 0 0 0 1 Jefferson Rojas 3 0 1 0 0 0 Andy Garriola 3 0 0 0 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 3 0 0 0 0 1 Carter Trice 3 0 1 0 0 1 Ariel Armas 3 0 0 0 0 0 Karson Simas 3 0 1 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Yenrri Rojas 4.0 5 2 2 0 6 1 Ben Johnson 2.0 2 0 0 1 0 0 Tyler Ras 0.1 3 4 3 2 0 0 Evan Taylor 1.2 0 0 0 0 4 0 Reginald Preciado's Three-Run Homer Not Enough In 7-4 Loss South Bend dropped a 7-4 game to Fort Wayne despite a four-run rally in the fourth inning. Reginald Preciado was the offensive star with a three-run homer, his second of the season, in three at-bats with a walk. Matt Halbach doubled and scored a run, Cole Mathis doubled in his only hit, and leadoff hitter Kane Kepley drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Cameron Sisneros reached base three times via a single and two walks. In spite of the lose, South Bend set a new homerun record thanks to Sisneros, padded by Preciado, by hitting over 20 homers in the month of April, beating the record set back in 2022 by the MWL Championship team. Cole Reynolds turned in a tough start, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Adam Stone provided the bullpen's best work with two scoreless innings, two walks, and four strikeouts. Jackson Brockett took the loss to drop to 0-1, surrendering three hits and two earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. Grayson Moore allowed an earned run on a hit and two walks across two innings of relief, striking out two. The TinCaps put up four runs in the top of the fourth on five singles, including a two-RBI single that scored two and another two-RBI single that chased Reynolds. South Bend answered immediately. Sisneros singled, Halbach followed with a double, and Preciado launched his three-run homer to left. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 0 1 1 1 0 Leonel Espinoza 5 0 0 0 0 2 Cole Mathis 4 0 1 0 0 2 Cameron Sisneros 2 1 1 0 2 0 Matt Halbach 4 1 1 0 0 1 Reginald Preciado 3 1 1 3 1 0 Drew Bowser 3 1 0 0 1 0 Justin Stransky 4 0 0 0 0 0 Christian Olivo 3 0 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Cole Reynolds 3.1 7 4 4 1 5 0 Jackson Brockett 1.2 3 2 2 0 0 1 Adam Stone 2.0 0 0 0 2 4 0 Grayson Moore 2.0 1 1 1 2 2 0 Three Homers, Four-Run First Push Pelicans Past Fireflies 7-3 Myrtle Beach hit three home runs and got a four-run first inning to beat Columbia 7-3. Jose Escobar went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two RBI. Logan Poteet added a solo home run, two RBI, and a run scored, and Eli Lovich also went deep for a solo shot in the second. Leadoff hitter Ty Southisene reached three times via a single, a walk, and a stolen base. Starter David Bracho was efficient, going 3 2/3 innings with seven hits allowed, no runs, no walks, and three strikeouts. Aiden Moffett earned the win in 2 1/3 scoreless relief innings, walking one and striking out four to improve to 1-0. Jordan Henriquez picked up his first save with three innings, allowing one hit, three runs, two earned, two walks, and four strikeouts with a home run. The Pelicans erupted in the bottom of the first. Southisene led off with a single, Alexey Lumpuy reached on an error, and Josiah Hartshorn walked to load the bases. Cleanup hitter Michael Carico lifted a sacrifice fly to score Southisene, and Poteet followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Lumpuy. Escobar then crushed a two-run homer to left, scoring Hartshorn ahead of him. Lovich added a solo shot to lead off the second. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ty Southisene 3 1 1 0 1 0 Alexey Lumpuy 4 1 0 0 0 2 Josiah Hartshorn 2 1 0 0 2 0 Michael Carico 3 0 0 1 0 1 Logan Poteet 3 1 1 2 0 1 Jose Escobar 4 1 2 2 0 0 Yahil Melendez 3 0 0 0 1 1 Eli Lovich 4 1 1 1 0 0 Alexis Hernandez 3 1 1 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR David Bracho 3.2 7 0 0 0 3 0 Aiden Moffett 2.1 0 0 0 1 4 0 Jordan Henriquez 3.0 1 3 2 2 4 1 Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-3, 2B Kevin Alcántara: 1-for-3, R, BB, K Jonathon Long: 3-for-6, R, 3 RBI, K Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramírez: 1-for-4, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, K Kane Kepley: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, SB Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, SB James Triantos: 2-for-5, 2 R, BB, 2 SB Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 K Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-3, R, BB, SB Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article

Image courtesy of © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images RHP Brooks Caple (South Bend Cubs) How He Got Here: A ninth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Caple worked through a full season in 2025 before moving into a larger role at South Bend. Early in 2026, he's already picked up a Pitcher of the Week honor, a sign that his progress is being noticed. Hitting the Hot Button: Caple has taken a clear step forward to open the season, posting a 2.89 ERA across 18 2/3 innings, with 24 strikeouts against just three walks. The improved control has allowed him to work cleaner innings while still missing bats. Opponents are hitting .179 against him, and he has done a strong job keeping runners off base and avoiding big innings. RHP Grant Kipp (Knoxville Smokies) How He Got Here: Kipp returned to Double-A after logging over 100 innings at the level last season, entering the year with a focus on tightening his approach. That work has already paid off, earning him multiple Pitcher of the Week honors along with a non-roster invite to big-league camp. Hitting the Hot Button: Kipp has looked more settled at the Double-A level, putting together 18 1/3 innings with a 2.45 ERA while striking out 21 and walking five. The strikeout ability has held steady, and the reduced walks reflect an improved ability to work ahead in counts and limit extended innings. Opponents are hitting just .175 against him, reflecting how well he has managed contact. LHP Jackson Brockett (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) How He Got Here: Signed to a minor-league deal in February, Brockett jumped straight into his first professional assignment with Myrtle Beach and has worked primarily in a multi-inning relief role. Hitting the Hot Button: Brockett has made an immediate impression in his first taste of pro ball, tossing 14 2/3 scoreless innings while holding hitters to a .109 average. He has struck out 15 along the way, and just as importantly, he's kept contact to a minimum while working efficiently through his outings. While the sample is still building, it's an early return worth following. Final Thoughts It is still early, but this group offers a snapshot of how the Cubs’ pitching pipeline is beginning to take shape. Caple’s early step forward, Kipp’s continued progress at Double-A, and Brockett’s fast start in his first pro action highlight the range of development across the system. If these trends hold, the Cubs could soon have multiple arms pushing into bigger conversations as the season takes shape. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report: Cubs Transactions Colorado Rockies traded 3B Nicky Lopez to Chicago Cubs for cash. Iowa Cubs Held Scoreless In 1-0 Home Loss The Iowa Cubs fell 1-0 at home to the Louisville Bats, managing only three hits across nine innings. Ty Blach took the loss, pitching 5 1/3 innings while allowing five hits, one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout. Starter Jordan Wicks worked 2 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and a walk but keeping Louisville off the board while striking out two. Tyler Beede closed out the game with one inning of scoreless work, striking out two without allowing a hit. Louisville scored the game's only run in the top of the sixth. Blach allowed a leadoff single and followed with a walk, before Owen Miller, Pedro Ramírez, and Jonathon Long turned a 6-4-3 double play that moved the lead runner to third base. A two-out double to center field then drove in the run. Iowa's offense was quiet across the board. Cleanup hitter Dylan Carlson finished 1-for-3 with a walk, Pedro Ramírez went 1-for-3 with a walk, and Brett Bateman added a single and a walk. The team drew four walks, struck out four times, grounded into a double play, and stranded five runners on base. Iowa also committed two errors behind the pitching staff. Player AB R H RBI BB K BJ Murray 4 0 0 0 0 1 Jonathon Long 4 0 0 0 0 0 Pedro Ramírez 3 0 1 0 1 1 Dylan Carlson 3 0 1 0 1 1 Christian Bethancourt 4 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Miller 3 0 0 0 0 0 Justin Dean 2 0 0 0 1 1 Brett Bateman 2 0 1 0 1 0 Hayden Cantrelle 3 0 0 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jordan Wicks 2 2/3 5 0 0 1 2 0 Ty Blach (L, 1-1) 5 1/3 5 1 1 1 1 0 Tyler Beede 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Garriola's Two Home Runs Not Enough In Smokies' 6-4 Loss The Knoxville Smokies dropped a 6-4 home decision to the Chattanooga Lookouts despite a big afternoon from cleanup hitter Andy Garriola, who hit two home runs and drove in three of Knoxville's four runs. Grant Kipp took the loss after a five-inning start in which he allowed six hits and five earned runs, walking four and striking out seven. A three-run home run in the top of the second and a two-run triple in the third accounted for the bulk of the damage. Frankie Scalzo Jr. followed with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts. Tyler Ras allowed one run over the final two innings. Knoxville drew first blood in the bottom of the second when Garriola took a pitch out to left-center field for a solo home run. The Smokies then pieced together three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Karson Simas led off with a triple and scored on an Alex Ramírez groundout. With two outs, Owen Ayers singled to right field, and Garriola followed with a two-run homer to left that trimmed the deficit to 5-4. Garriola finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two home runs, and three RBI. Simas added a single, a triple, a run scored, and a pair of strikeouts. Ayers reached base twice with a single, a walk, and a run scored. Knoxville drew four walks, struck out 10 times, and left five runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 1 0 2 Jordan Nwogu 4 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 3 1 1 0 1 1 Andy Garriola 3 2 2 3 1 1 Carter Trice 3 0 0 0 1 0 Edgar Alvarez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Ariel Armas 3 0 1 0 1 0 Devin Ortiz 4 0 0 0 0 1 Karson Simas 4 1 1 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp (L, 1-1) 5 6 5 5 4 7 1 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 Tyler Ras 2 2 1 1 3 1 0 Halbach's Three Doubles Lead South Bend To 10-4 Win The South Bend Cubs cruised to a 10-4 road win over the Dayton Dragons, collecting 11 hits and five doubles while drawing six walks. Starter Cole Reynolds worked 3 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and two earned runs on five walks with six strikeouts. Nate Williams picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering one hit, one earned run, one walk, and a home run while striking out three. JP Wheat followed with two innings in which he gave up two hits, one earned run, and five walks. Adam Stone closed out the final two scoreless innings with a hit, a strikeout, and no walks. South Bend broke through with three runs in the top of the third. Justin Stransky, Christian Olivo, and leadoff man Kane Kepley drew three consecutive walks to load the bases. Two wild pitches then plated a pair of runs during the next at-bat, and Kade Snell's sacrifice fly brought Kepley home. The Cubs blew it open with four runs in the top of the fifth. Kepley walked and Cole Mathis singled to put two on. After Snell moved the runners up on a groundout, cleanup man Matt Halbach ripped a two-run double to right field. Cameron Sisneros followed with a double that scored Halbach, Reginald Preciado singled, and Drew Bowser added an RBI single before being thrown out at second. Halbach finished 3-for-5 with three doubles, two runs, and two RBI. Sisneros went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs, and two RBI. Snell added a solo home run in the top of the ninth and drove in two. Preciado contributed two hits and a walk, and Kepley reached three times with two walks and scored twice. South Bend struck out nine times and left six runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 2 0 0 2 1 Cole Mathis 5 1 1 0 0 2 Kade Snell 3 1 1 2 1 0 Matt Halbach 5 2 3 2 0 0 Cameron Sisneros 5 2 2 2 0 2 Reginald Preciado 4 0 2 0 1 2 Drew Bowser 5 0 1 2 0 1 Justin Stransky 3 1 1 0 1 1 Christian Olivo 3 1 0 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Cole Reynolds 3 2/3 2 2 2 5 6 0 Nate Williams (W, 1-0) 1 1/3 1 1 1 1 3 1 JP Wheat 2 2 1 1 5 1 0 Adam Stone 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 Brockett's Long Relief Can't Salvage Pelicans' 7-1 Loss The Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell 7-1 to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, managing only three hits and one walk across nine innings. Starter Kevin Camacho was charged with the loss after a disastrous bottom of the first. He issued four walks and allowed a hit while recording just two outs, giving up four runs, only one earned. A Pelicans error during the frame allowed two additional runners to score. David Bracho took over and worked 2 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, three earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts while allowing a solo home run in the third. Jackson Brockett was the bright spot, tossing five scoreless innings of relief with one hit allowed, one walk, and four strikeouts. The Pelicans pushed across their only run in the top of the fifth. With one out, Derniche Valdez singled, then moved to third when Edward Vargas reached on a throwing error. Leadoff hitter Ty Southisene followed with a single to center that brought Valdez home. Valdez finished 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. Southisene went 1-for-4 with the team's lone RBI. Josiah Hartshorn drew the team's only walk. The Pelicans struck out 13 times and left four runners on base, and each team committed one error. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ty Southisene 4 0 1 1 0 0 Alexey Lumpuy 4 0 0 0 0 3 Josiah Hartshorn 3 0 0 0 1 2 Jose Escobar 4 0 0 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jairo Diaz 3 0 0 0 0 2 Derniche Valdez 3 1 2 0 0 1 Derik Alcantara 3 0 0 0 0 1 Edward Vargas 3 0 0 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kevin Camacho (L, 0-1) 2/3 1 4 1 4 1 0 David Bracho 2 1/3 3 3 3 2 4 1 Jackson Brockett 5 1 0 0 1 4 0 Cubs Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Jonathon Long: 0-for-4 Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramirez: 1-for-3, BB, K Kane Kepley: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K James Triantos: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 1-for-5, R, 2 K Angel Cepeda: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-4, RBI Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article