Travis Klosinski

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Doubles Its Way Past Toledo In Extra Innings The Iowa Cubs beat the Toledo Mud Hens 5-4 in ten innings, scoring in five different innings. Iowa finished with nine hits, five of them doubles, five walks, and eight runners left on base. Chas McCormick had three hits, two of them doubles, scored a run, and drove in a run. BJ Murray added two hits, including a double, with a run scored and a run batted in. Ben Cowles had a double and two walks with a run batted in, and James Triantos had a double, a walk, and a run batted in. Connor Noland worked 3 1/3 innings and allowed four hits and one run, walking two and striking out four. Shelby Miller struck out two over 2/3 of an inning, and Tyler Ferguson followed with a scoreless inning. Jayden Murray was charged with 1/3 of an inning, two hits, four walks, and three runs. Gabe Klobosits allowed one hit and three walks over 1 2/3 innings without a run, Eduarniel Núñez struck out three over two scoreless innings for the win, and Luis Peralta struck out one in a scoreless inning for the save. The sixth inning turned the game. Toledo opened with a single, a walk, and a single, drew a bases-loaded walk to score one, walked again to score another, and added a third run on an infield groundout. That put Iowa behind 4-3. Iowa answered in the ninth when Hayden Cantrelle walked and Triantos doubled him home to tie it. In the tenth, Owen Ayers began the inning as the zombie runner, moved to third on a BJ Murray single, and scored on a McCormick double play grounder for the go-ahead run. Iowa Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean 4 0 1 0 1 1 James Triantos 4 1 1 1 1 1 Owen Ayers 5 1 1 0 0 1 BJ Murray 4 1 2 1 0 0 Chas McCormick 5 1 3 1 0 0 Greg Jones 5 0 0 0 0 3 Ben Cowles 2 0 1 1 2 0 Ethan Hearn 4 0 0 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 3 1 0 0 1 0 Totals 36 5 9 4 5 7 Iowa Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Noland 3 1/3 4 1 1 2 4 0 Shelby Miller 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Tyler Ferguson 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Jayden Murray 1/3 2 3 3 4 0 0 Gabe Klobosits 1 2/3 1 0 0 3 1 0 Eduarniel Núñez 2 1 0 0 1 3 0 Luis Peralta 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 10 8 4 4 10 12 0 Smokies Score Nine In The First To Bury Pensacola (Game 1 of 2) The Knoxville Smokies took the doubleheader opener in Pensacola 16-5, batting around twice in the first inning and finishing with 14 hits, nine walks, two home runs, and four runners left on base. Andy Garriola had two hits, including a three-run home run, and four runs batted in. Edgar Alvarez had three hits, two runs batted in, and a walk. Alex Ramírez had two hits, three runs batted in, and a walk, while Ariel Armas had two hits, a home run, and a run batted in. Alex Madera had two hits, including a double, and Miguel Useche doubled in two runs and drew two walks. Leadoff man Kane Kepley had a hit, two walks, a hit by pitch, and three runs scored. Dawson Netz opened with one inning, one hit, and two strikeouts. Connor Schultz then worked four innings and allowed six hits, five runs, two walks, and one home run while striking out four, and he earned the win. Kenyi Perez allowed two hits and three walks over 1 1/3 innings without a run, Frankie Scalzo Jr. struck out two over 1 2/3 innings, and Marino Santy retired all three batters he faced. The first inning did the damage. Kepley was hit by a pitch, Garriola singled, and Useche walked to load the bases. Ramírez singled home two runs, Armas singled, and Alvarez singled home two more. After a strikeout, Madera brought in a run on a groundout and Drew Bowser singled in another. Kepley then walked, and Garriola followed with a three-run home run for a 9-0 lead. Knoxville added five in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk, a sacrifice fly, a two-run double by Useche, and a run-scoring single by Ramírez. Knoxville Smokies Hitting, Game One Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 3 1 1 2 0 Andy Garriola 5 2 2 4 0 0 Miguel Useche 3 2 1 2 2 0 Alex Ramírez 4 1 2 3 1 0 Ariel Armas 5 2 2 1 0 1 Edgar Alvarez 4 2 3 2 1 0 Karson Simas 3 1 0 0 2 1 Alex Madera 4 1 2 1 1 0 Drew Bowser 4 2 1 1 0 2 Totals 35 16 14 15 9 4 Knoxville Smokies Pitching, Game One Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 Connor Schultz 4 6 5 5 2 4 1 Kenyi Perez 1 1/3 2 0 0 3 1 0 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 1 2/3 1 0 0 0 2 0 Marino Santy 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 9 10 5 5 5 9 1 Knoxville Held To Two Hits In The Nightcap (Game 2 of 2) The Knoxville Smokies lost the second game of the doubleheader in Pensacola 6-1, managing two hits and two walks in the seven-inning game while striking out nine times. Karson Simas accounted for the entire offense. He homered for his fifth of the season, drew a walk, and finished with the only run batted in. Kane Kepley had the other hit and drew a walk. No other Smokies hitter reached safely. Brody McCullough went 3 2/3 innings and gave up seven hits, five runs, three of them earned, and three walks while striking out one, and he took the loss. Tyler Schlaffer followed with 2 1/3 innings, two hits, one run, one home run, and three strikeouts without issuing a walk. The third inning put Knoxville behind. Simas homered to open the top half for a 1-0 lead, then Pensacola answered with a walk and a single to put runners at first and second. A single tied the game, and a double put the home team ahead 2-1. The fourth inning decided it. A two-out single, a walk, and another walk loaded the bases, and a single up the middle scored all three runners after a throwing error by McCullough allowed the play to continue. That made it 5-1, and a solo home run in the fifth against Schlaffer closed the scoring. Knoxville left two runners on base for the game, and the two hits and two walks were the only baserunners the Smokies produced. Knoxville Smokies Hitting, Game Two Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 2 0 1 0 1 0 Andy Garriola 3 0 0 0 0 0 Miguel Useche 3 0 0 0 0 1 Alex Ramírez 3 0 0 0 0 1 Dom Krupinski 3 0 0 0 0 2 Carter Trice 3 0 0 0 0 2 Edgar Alvarez 2 0 0 0 0 2 Karson Simas 1 1 1 1 1 0 Colin Hynek 2 0 0 0 0 1 Totals 22 1 2 1 2 9 Knoxville Smokies Pitching, Game Two Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough 3 2/3 7 5 3 3 1 0 Tyler Schlaffer 2 1/3 2 1 1 0 3 1 Totals 6 9 6 4 3 4 1 South Bend Loses The Lead In A Four-Run Ninth The South Bend Cubs led into the ninth inning and lost 5-2 to the West Michigan Whitecaps, finishing with seven hits, three walks, eleven strikeouts, and eight runners left on base. Josiah Hartshorn had two hits, one of them a double, and a walk. Justin Stransky had a hit, a walk, and a run batted in. Leonel Espinoza had a hit and a run batted in, and Alexey Lumpuy, Michael Hallquist, and Kade Snell each had a hit. Nazier Mulé was the story on the mound. He worked 5 1/3 innings, allowed four hits and one run, walked two, and struck out six. Luis Rujano followed with 2 2/3 hitless innings and three strikeouts. Jose Romero recorded one out and allowed two hits, two walks, and four runs, taking the loss and blowing the save. Nate Williams finished with 2/3 of an inning and a strikeout. In the fourth, Escobar and Stransky brought a twist to the strike out, throw out play that's well worth checking out. South Bend took the lead in the seventh. Lumpuy singled, Hallquist singled behind him, and Stransky lined a single to center to score Lumpuy. Espinoza then grounded out to third and Hallquist scored for a 2-1 lead. The ninth undid it. A leadoff single, a walk, and a hit batter loaded the bases. A wild pitch scored the tying run during a popout, a second wild pitch scored the go-ahead run during a walk, a balk brought home a third, and a single to right added the fourth run of the inning. South Bend went down in order in the bottom half. South Bend Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Leonel Espinoza 5 0 1 1 0 2 Jose Escobar 3 0 0 0 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn 3 0 2 0 1 0 Kade Snell 4 0 1 0 0 1 Matt Halbach 3 0 0 0 1 1 Brennan Hudson 4 0 0 0 0 2 Alexey Lumpuy 4 1 1 0 0 1 Michael Hallquist 4 1 1 0 0 2 Justin Stransky 3 0 1 1 1 1 Totals 33 2 7 2 3 11 South Bend Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mulé 5 1/3 4 1 1 2 6 0 Luis Rujano 2 2/3 0 0 0 0 3 0 Jose Romero 1/3 2 4 4 2 0 0 Nate Williams 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 9 6 5 5 4 10 0 Pelicans Waste Nine Strong Innings In A One-Run Loss The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost 1-0 to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, held to two hits while striking out twelve times. Myrtle Beach drew four walks and left five runners on base. Darlyn De Leon had a hit and a walk out of the leadoff spot, and Derik Alcantara had the other hit, a double. Corey Nunez, Eli Lovich, and Jose Silva each drew a walk. Derniche Valdez struck out three times, and Fernando Cruz struck out twice. Chase Meyer opened with four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four. Hayden Frank followed with four innings, three hits, one run, one walk, and four strikeouts, and he took the loss. John Alkire II struck out two in a scoreless inning to finish the game. The eighth inning produced the only run. Fayetteville opened with a double to center, then made an out on a fly ball to left. A ground ball single to center brought the runner home for a 1-0 lead. Frank retired the next two hitters on a lineout and a groundout. Myrtle Beach put a runner on in the bottom of the eighth when De Leon lined a single to right with two outs, and Alcantara grounded out to end the threat. The Pelicans went down in order in the ninth. Myrtle Beach left five runners on base for the game, and the pitching staff kept the deficit at one run the entire way. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Darlyn De Leon 3 0 1 0 1 1 Derik Alcantara 4 0 1 0 0 0 Corey Nunez 3 0 0 0 1 0 Eli Lovich 3 0 0 0 1 2 Derniche Valdez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jose Silva 2 0 0 0 1 1 Fernando Cruz 3 0 0 0 0 2 Jan Luis Reyes 3 0 0 0 0 2 Ivan Cespedes 3 0 0 0 0 1 Totals 28 0 2 0 4 12 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Chase Meyer 4 4 0 0 2 4 0 Hayden Frank 4 3 1 1 1 4 0 John Alkire II 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Totals 9 7 1 1 3 10 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-3, 2B, BB Cade Townsend: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Owen Ayers: 1-for-5, K Kane Kepley: 2-for-5, RBI, 3 BB, HBP Ethan Conrad: DNP Caden Sorrell: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Myles Bailey: DNP Brooks Caple: DNP James Triantos: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB, K Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Derniche Valdez: 0-for-4, 3 K Grant Kipp: DNP Jose Escobar: 0-for-3, K, HBP Ariel Armas: 2-for-5, HR, RBI, K Fernando Cruz: 0-for-3, 2 K Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs signed free agent SS Jackson Cluff to a minor league contract. Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Phil Maton from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Chicago Cubs claimed 3B Gabriel Arias off waivers from New York Mets. Iowa Cubs Waste A Strong Night On The Mound In Toledo Kohl Franklin gave the Iowa Cubs five innings of one-run baseball, scattering five hits, walking one, and striking out four. He handed the game off tied, and the bullpen kept it that way for a long stretch. Iowa scored first. Leadoff man James Triantos worked a walk, and Owen Ayers lined a single to left field to bring him around. Toledo answered with a run-scoring single of its own, and the score sat at 1-1 for the rest of the night. Hoby Milner allowed one hit, and struck out one. Jaxon Wiggins was even better, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts for a clean inning. Antoine Kelly walked two but stranded both runners, striking out one to end the threat. Ayers finished 3-for-4 with the RBI single and was the only Iowa hitter with more than one hit. Ayers again demonstrated why is isn't the man to steal on in the 2nd. Matt Shaw, cleanup man BJ Murray, and Jordan Nwogu supplied the other three hits. Triantos reached on a walk, and on a hit by pitch. Justin Dean and Ben Cowles each drew a walk. Iowa left 10 runners on base, and the middle of the order could not push anything across after the opening frame. Justin Dean made a noteworthy catch out in right in the 4th. Ethan Roberts came on with the game still tied and gave up two hits, the second a two-out single that ended it. Toledo won 2-1, and Roberts took the loss. The Iowa staff held Toledo to two runs on eight hits, and struck out eight. Iowa Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K James Triantos, 3B 3 1 0 0 1 0 Matt Shaw, 2B 3 0 1 0 0 1 Jackson Cluff, 2B 2 0 0 0 0 1 Owen Ayers, C 4 0 3 1 0 0 BJ Murray, 1B 4 0 1 0 0 1 Chas McCormick, CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 Justin Dean, RF 3 0 0 0 1 1 Greg Jones, SS 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ben Cowles, DH 3 0 0 0 1 2 Jordan Nwogu, LF 4 0 1 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 Iowa Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kohl Franklin 5 5 1 1 1 4 0 Hoby Milner 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Jaxon Wiggins 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Antoine Kelly 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 Ethan Roberts 2/3 2 1 1 0 0 0 Knoxville Smokies Postponed The Knoxville Smokies did not play. The game was postponed due to rain, but there is already a doubleheader set for tonight due to a suspended game from Aug. 18. A makeup date for the Aug. 19 game has not been announced yet. South Bend Cubs Shut Out At Home By West Michigan South Bend never solved the visiting pitching, managing three hits in a 9-0 loss to West Michigan. Braylon Myers took the brunt of it, allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits over four innings. Two of those hits left the yard, and a fielding error behind him extended one of the damaging frames. West Michigan pushed two across early, then broke it open with a four-run burst built on a leadoff home run, a double, a run-scoring single, and a two-run homer. Luke Alwood gave up a walk, a single, and a two-run double before settling down. Edwardo Melendez was the bright spot. He struck out five over three innings and allowed a single hit, a solo home run, along with two walks. Ethan Bell finished with a scoreless inning, walking one and giving up nothing else. Cleanup man Kade Snell accounted for two of South Bend's three hits, tripling to left field, and adding a ground ball single up the middle. Brennan Hudson had the other hit, a line drive to center field, and also drew a walk. Matt Halbach worked the team's other walk. Josiah Hartshorn went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, and leadoff man Leonel Espinoza went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. South Bend struck out 10 times as a team, and put only four runners on base after the second time through the order. The Cubs stranded four. South Bend Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Leonel Espinoza, CF 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jose Escobar, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 2 Kade Snell, DH 4 0 2 0 0 1 Matt Halbach, 3B 2 0 0 0 1 1 Angel Cepeda, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 Brennan Hudson, C 2 0 1 0 1 0 Geuri Lubo, RF 3 0 0 0 0 0 Michael Hallquist, LF 3 0 0 0 0 2 South Bend Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 4 6 6 5 0 2 2 Luke Alwood 1 2 2 2 1 1 0 Edwardo Melendez 3 1 1 1 2 5 1 Ethan Bell 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Walks Bury Myrtle Beach In Lopsided Loss To Fayetteville The Myrtle Beach Pelicans issued 17 walks and hit two batters in a 19-1 loss to Fayetteville, and the free passes decided the night long before the hits piled up. Starter Jubrayker Salaya walked five and hit one in an inning and a third, and three of those runners came around. He allowed only two hits, but four runs were charged to him. Luis A. Reyes was the most effective arm Myrtle Beach used. He struck out five over two innings, allowing three hits, two of them home runs, along with two walks. Jhon Cabral followed with an inning and two thirds, and the three runs he allowed were all unearned after a throwing error opened the door. Geovanny Vasquez retired six straight before the wheels came off, and he finished with six runs allowed on two hits and five walks over two innings. Jhon Rosario inherited a bases loaded mess and gave up four hits, four runs, and five walks of his own across two innings, striking out three. The offense managed six hits. Caden Sorrell went 2-for-5 and drove in the only run with a triple to center field that scored Darlyn De Leon. Derniche Valdez went 2-for-4 with a double. Alexis Hernandez had a hit and a walk, and cleanup man Jhoander Irigoyen singled. Leadoff man Juan Cabada was hit by a pitch twice, and De Leon drew a walk. Myrtle Beach struck out nine times, and stranded 12 runners. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Juan Cabada, DH 3 0 0 0 0 1 Darlyn De Leon, CF 4 1 0 0 1 1 Caden Sorrell, LF 5 0 2 1 0 2 Jhoander Irigoyen, C 5 0 1 0 0 1 Eli Lovich, RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 Corey Nunez, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 Alexis Hernandez, 2B 3 0 1 0 1 1 Derniche Valdez, SS 4 0 2 0 0 0 Ivan Cespedes, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jubrayker Salaya 1 1/3 2 4 4 5 1 0 Luis A. Reyes 2 3 2 2 2 5 2 Jhon Cabral 1 2/3 2 3 0 0 1 1 Geovanny Vasquez 2 2 6 6 5 1 1 Jhon Rosario 2 4 4 4 5 3 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4, 2 K Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: DNP Owen Ayers: 3-for-4, RBI Jonathon Long: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: 0-for-3, R, BB, HBP Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: 0-for-3, 2 HBP, K Eli Lovich: 0-for-4, 2 K Ariel Armas: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs sent RHP Shelby Miller on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs. Grant Kipp Turns In Three Scoreless Innings In Iowa's Game One Shutout Loss Iowa collected six hits and left eight runners on base in a 6-0 loss to St. Paul in the opener of a seven-inning doubleheader. B.J. Murray led the offense with a 3-for-4 afternoon that included a double. Owen Miller followed with two hits in four at-bats, and Chas McCormick reached twice on a single and a walk. The Cubs never brought a runner home and struck out 10 times as a group. Greg Jones went down on strikes three times, and Jordan Nwogu drew a walk but also struck out twice. Owen Ayers delivered a clean throw to second for the tag in the first. Grant Kipp handled the start and gave Iowa three scoreless innings, allowing no hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Hoby Milner followed and took the loss, retiring two batters while giving up three hits and two runs. Jayden Murray covered 2 1/3 innings with three runs on one hit, a walk, and two strikeouts. Shelby Miller closed the game with one inning, two hits, one run, and a walk in a rehab appearance. St. Paul broke through in the fourth. With two outs and runners at the corners, back-to-back hits off Milner, a single and then a double to left, produced the first two runs of the game. The visitors added three more in the sixth on a home run to right field off Jayden Murray, and a sacrifice fly to center in the seventh accounted for the final margin. Player AB R H RBI BB K BJ Murray, 1B 4 0 3 0 0 0 Owen Miller, 3B 4 0 2 0 0 1 Owen Ayers, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 Kevin Alcántara, DH 3 0 0 0 0 2 Justin Dean, RF 3 0 0 0 0 1 Chas McCormick, CF 2 0 1 0 1 0 Greg Jones, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 3 Ben Cowles, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 Jordan Nwogu, LF 2 0 0 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 3 0 0 0 3 4 0 Hoby Milner 0 2/3 3 2 2 0 1 0 Jayden Murray 2 1/3 1 3 3 1 2 1 Shelby Miller 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 Owen Ayers And Ethan Hearn Homer Early, But Iowa Drops Game Two 5-4 Iowa built a four-run first inning and could not hold it, falling 5-4 to St. Paul in the nightcap. Owen Ayers did the most damage, going 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk, and an RBI. Ethan Hearn drove in three runs on his lone hit, a three-run home run. BJ Murray and Owen Miller each singled, Miller adding a double, and Ben Cowles reached with a hit in two at-bats. Iowa managed only five hits and stranded two runners, and the lineup struck out 10 times, all of them after the opening frame. Andrew Wantz started and worked two innings, giving up four hits, two runs, three walks, and two strikeouts. Luis Peralta was the story out of the bullpen with two hitless innings and five strikeouts, and Ethan Roberts added a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Tyler Ferguson took the loss after allowing three hits and three runs in one inning, and Gabe Klobosits finished with a scoreless frame and a strikeout. The first inning contained all of Iowa's scoring. Ayers led off the bottom half with a home run to right-center, and after Murray and Kevin Alcantara reached, Hearn drove a three-run shot to the same part of the ballpark for a 4-0 lead. St. Paul answered with two doubles in the third to trim the lead to 4-2, then pushed across three runs in the sixth on a bases-clearing double off Ferguson to take the lead for good. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ben Cowles, 3B 2 0 1 0 0 0 Owen Miller, 2B 3 0 1 0 0 0 Owen Ayers, DH 2 1 1 1 1 1 BJ Murray, 1B 3 1 1 0 0 1 Kevin Alcántara, RF 3 1 0 0 0 1 Ethan Hearn, C 3 1 1 3 0 2 Jordan Nwogu, LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 Ed Howard, SS 2 0 0 0 0 2 Greg Jones, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle, CF 1 0 0 0 1 1 Chas McCormick, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Andrew Wantz 2 4 2 2 3 2 0 Luis Peralta 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 Ethan Roberts 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Tyler Ferguson 1 3 3 3 1 0 0 Gabe Klobosits 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Brooks Caple And Three Relievers Hold Rocket City To One Run In Knoxville's 4-1 Win Knoxville scored all four of its runs in the second and third innings and rode its pitching the rest of the way in a 4-1 win over Rocket City. Andy Garriola paced the lineup at 3-for-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI. Alex Madera went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs from the eight hole. Kane Kepley tripled and scored in a 1-for-4 game at the top of the order, Alex Ramirez singled, scored, and drove in a run, and Ariel Armas doubled and scored. The Smokies finished with eight hits and left only four runners on base. Brooks Caple started and earned the win, going 5 1/3 innings with five hits, one run, three walks, and four strikeouts. Frankie Scalzo Jr. retired both batters he faced to finish the sixth. Tyler Schlaffer worked two scoreless innings with a walk and two strikeouts, and Tyler Ras closed it out with a scoreless ninth for the save. The bullpen combined for 3 2/3 innings without allowing a hit. The second inning turned the game. Garriola singled with one out, Armas doubled him to third, and Madera lined a single to right that scored both runners for a 2-1 lead. Knoxville added two more in the third, when Kepley opened with a triple and scored on Ramirez's single to center, and Ramirez came around on Garriola's double to right. Rocket City's only run came on a two-out double in the second. Karson Simas showcased an impressive grab at short to hold Rocket City in the 4th. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley, CF 4 1 1 0 0 0 Alex Ramírez, RF 4 1 1 1 0 1 Miguel Useche, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 2 Edgar Alvarez, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 Carter Trice, DH 3 0 0 0 1 1 Andy Garriola, LF 4 1 3 1 0 1 Dom Krupinski, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 2 Ariel Armas, C 3 1 1 0 0 0 Alex Madera, 2B 3 0 2 2 0 0 Karson Simas, SS 3 0 0 0 0 3 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brooks Caple 5 1/3 5 1 1 3 4 0 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 0 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tyler Schlaffer 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 Tyler Ras 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Angel Cepeda Homers And Kade Snell Doubles Twice, But South Bend Falls 7-4 South Bend led twice early and could not hold either lead, dropping a 7-4 decision at Great Lakes. Angel Cepeda led the offense with a 2-for-5 night that included a home run, a double, two runs, and an RBI. Kade Snell went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, and Brennan Hudson was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI from the nine hole. Josiah Hartshorn doubled, scored, and finished 1-for-4, and Matt Halbach singled home a run. The Cubs totaled eight hits, drew four walks, and left seven runners on base. Pierce Coppola started and took the loss, allowing three hits and four runs, three earned, over three innings with three walks, two strikeouts, and a home run. Luis Rujano followed with two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out three. Anhuar Garcia worked the final three innings and was charged with six hits and three runs, striking out three without issuing a walk. Cepeda opened the game with a home run to left in the first, and Hudson's second-inning single put South Bend ahead 2-1. Great Lakes answered with a two-run homer in its half of the second and took a 4-3 lead on a double in the third. Snell's RBI double in the top of the eighth pulled South Bend within 5-4, but Great Lakes answered in the bottom half with four consecutive two-out singles off Garcia for the 7-4 final. Player AB R H RBI BB K Jose Escobar, DH 4 0 0 0 1 1 Angel Cepeda, SS 5 2 2 1 0 3 Josiah Hartshorn, RF 4 1 1 0 0 1 Matt Halbach, 3B 4 0 1 1 0 0 Kade Snell, LF 4 0 2 1 0 1 Logan Poteet, C 1 1 0 0 1 0 Justin Stransky, C 2 0 0 0 0 1 Alexey Lumpuy, CF 3 0 0 0 1 1 Michael Hallquist, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 2 Brennan Hudson, 1B 3 0 2 1 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Pierce Coppola 3 3 4 3 3 2 1 Luis Rujano 2 2 0 0 1 3 0 Anhuar Garcia 3 6 3 3 0 3 0 Juan Cabada's Inside-The-Park Home Run Caps Myrtle Beach's 5-1 Win Myrtle Beach scored in three separate innings and got 15 outs from its starter in a 5-1 win over Hill City. Juan Cabada was the standout, going 3-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run, two RBI, and a run scored out of the designated hitter spot. Caden Sorrell singled home a run in a 1-for-4 game. Corey Nunez singled, drove in a run, and scored. Ethan Conrad singled, walked, and scored a run, and Jose Silva and Jan Luis Reyes each singled and scored. The Pelicans finished with eight hits and left only four runners on base. Riely Hunsaker started and earned the win with five innings of two-hit, one-run ball, walking one and striking out eight. Luis Mata followed with 2 1/3 scoreless innings on two hits and two walks with a strikeout. Sam Mettert recorded the save, covering the final 1 2/3 innings without allowing a hit while walking one and striking out two. The second inning put Myrtle Beach in front. Conrad singled, Nunez singled him home and advanced to third on an error in center field, and Derik Alcantara brought Nunez in with a sacrifice fly to right for a 2-0 lead. Cabada finished the scoring in the seventh. With two outs and Silva aboard, he lined a ball into the right-center field gap and circled the bases for a two-run, inside-the-park home run and a 5-1 lead. Defensively, the Birds pulled a slick 6-3-2 double play in the 6th. Player AB R H RBI BB K Juan Cabada, DH 3 1 3 2 0 0 Alexis Hernandez, SS 3 0 0 0 1 1 Caden Sorrell, CF 4 0 1 1 0 0 Ethan Conrad, RF 3 1 1 0 1 1 Corey Nunez, 3B 4 1 1 0 0 0 Derik Alcantara, LF 3 0 0 1 0 1 Jose Silva, C 3 1 1 0 0 1 Fernando Cruz, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 2 Jan Luis Reyes, 1B 3 1 1 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Riely Hunsaker 5 2 1 1 1 8 0 Luis Mata 2 1/3 2 0 0 2 1 0 Sam Mettert 1 2/3 0 0 0 1 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-4, 2B, R, K Kevin Alcantara: 0-for-6, R, 3 K (doubleheader) Ethan Conrad: 1-for-3, BB, R, K Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, 3B, R Owen Ayers: 1-for-5, HR, RBI, BB, R, 2 K (doubleheader) Jonathon Long: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: 5 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, W Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: 3-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R Eli Lovich: DNP Ariel Armas: 1-for-3, 2B, R Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions N/A. Ben Cowles Drives In Five As Iowa Routs St. Paul, 10-3 The Iowa Cubs sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning, scored six runs, and never gave the lead back in a 10-3 win over St. Paul. Owen Miller opened the scoring with a home run. Kevin Alcantara walked, Greg Jones singled, and Ben Cowles followed with a three-run home run. Ethan Hearn hit a home run of his own, Ed Howard singled, Hayden Cantrelle was hit by a pitch, and Justin Dean singled home the sixth run. Cowles was not done. He singled home Jones in the second, and he and Jones hit solo home runs in the fifth, and then Hearn drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth for the final Iowa run. Add it all up, and Cowles finished 3-for-3 with two home runs, five RBI, a walk, and two runs scored. Jones went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, an RBI, and three runs scored. Howard added two hits, and Alcantara drew two walks. Iowa totaled 10 hits, five home runs, and 10 RBI, and left seven runners on base. Kohl Franklin started and worked four innings, allowing three hits and one run with two walks and three strikeouts. Evan Taylor took the win after two innings of two-hit relief with two strikeouts. Antoine Kelly gave up two hits over 1 1/3 innings and struck out three. Eduarniel Nunez finished with 1 2/3 innings, one hit, two runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean 5 0 1 1 0 2 BJ Murray 5 0 0 0 0 2 Owen Miller 4 2 1 1 0 0 Kevin Alcantara 3 1 0 0 2 2 Greg Jones 4 3 2 1 1 1 Ben Cowles 3 2 3 5 1 0 Ethan Hearn 3 1 1 2 1 0 Ed Howard 4 1 2 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 3 0 0 0 0 3 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kohl Franklin 4 3 1 1 2 3 1 Evan Taylor 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 Antoine Kelly 1 1/3 2 0 0 0 3 0 Eduarniel Nunez 1 2/3 1 2 2 1 3 1 Knoxville Breaks A 1-0 Deficit With Four-Run Seventh In 6-1 Win The Knoxville Smokies collected five hits without scoring through six innings before turning the game around in a 6-1 win over Rocket City. Trailing 1-0, Knoxville strung together a four-run seventh. Carter Trice singled, Karson Simas singled, and leadoff man Kane Kepley walked to load the bases. Alex Ramirez singled home a run, and Miguel Useche doubled to clear the bases and put Knoxville up 4-1. Two more runs followed in the eighth. Dom Krupinski walked, Alex Madera singled, Simas singled home a run, and Kepley doubled home another. Ramirez led the offense at 3-for-5 with an RBI. Simas matched him with three hits in four at-bats, an RBI, and a run scored. Useche went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI, the most of any Smokies player. Brody McCullough started and gave Knoxville five innings, allowing three hits and one run without a walk while striking out eight. Daniel Palencia followed with a hitless inning on a rehab assignment. Yenrri Rojas earned the win with two innings, one hit, no runs, and two strikeouts. Tyler Ras closed it out with one inning and one hit. Knoxville pitching held Rocket City to five hits, walked none, and struck out 10. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 1 1 1 1 0 Alex Ramirez 5 1 3 1 0 0 Miguel Useche 4 0 2 3 0 1 Andy Garriola 3 0 0 0 0 1 Dom Krupinski 3 1 0 0 1 1 Carter Trice 3 1 1 0 1 1 Ariel Armas 4 0 1 0 0 2 Edgar Alvarez 0 0 0 0 0 0 Alex Madera 4 1 1 0 0 1 Karson Simas 4 1 3 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough 5 3 1 1 0 8 0 Daniel Palencia 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yenrri Rojas 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 Tyler Ras 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 South Bend Rallies Late But Falls At Great Lakes, 8-6 The South Bend Cubs spotted Great Lakes eight runs over the first four innings and could not close the gap, losing 8-6. South Bend answered in the first when Kade Snell walked and Josiah Hartshorn singled him home. Logan Poteet hit a home run in the second. Matt Halbach hit a home run in the seventh. Hartshorn drove in Snell again with a single in the eighth. The ninth inning brought South Bend within two. Alexey Lumpuy singled, Poteet singled, and Brennan Hudson doubled home a run. Snell grounded out to bring in another before Angel Cepeda struck out to end the game with Hudson standing at third. Hartshorn finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Halbach went 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored. Poteet also had two hits, a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Lumpuy added two hits and a run. Nazier Mule started and took the loss, allowing six hits and eight runs, seven of them earned, over 3 2/3 innings with three walks and three strikeouts. Yoendris Gonzalez followed with 2 1/3 innings, four hits, no runs, and two strikeouts. Ethan Bell added two innings, two hits, no runs, and two strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kade Snell 4 2 0 1 1 2 Angel Cepeda 4 0 0 0 1 2 Josiah Hartshorn 4 0 2 2 0 0 Jose Escobar 4 0 0 0 0 1 Matt Halbach 4 1 2 1 0 0 Alexey Lumpuy 4 1 2 0 0 1 Logan Poteet 4 2 2 1 0 0 Brennan Hudson 4 0 1 1 0 2 Geuri Lubo 4 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mule 3 2/3 6 8 7 3 3 2 Yoendris Gonzalez 2 1/3 4 0 0 0 2 0 Ethan Bell 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 Derniche Valdez Drives In Four As Myrtle Beach Pulls Away, 11-4 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans broke a 4-4 tie and then buried Hill City with a six-run eighth inning in an 11-4 win. Myrtle Beach led 4-1 through three innings. Ethan Conrad singled home Jose Silva in the first with a well-placed chop to shallow right. Juan Cabada brought in Derik Alcantara on a force out in the second, and Corey Nunez doubled home Caden Sorrell before Derniche Valdez added a sacrifice fly in the third. Hill City tied it in the fifth without a hit. Nunez singled home Conrad to put Myrtle Beach back in front, then the eighth broke the game open. Ivan Cespedes was hit by a pitch, Cabada doubled, Silva singled in a run, and Sorrell singled in another. Nunez walked, and Valdez tripled to clear the bases. Nunez finished 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. Valdez drove in four on his triple and sacrifice fly. Cabada, Silva, Sorrell, and Conrad each had two hits. Myrtle Beach totaled 13 hits and left nine runners on base. Chase Meyer started and gave the Pelicans 3 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and one run with three walks and six strikeouts. Geovanny Vasquez did not allow a hit over 1 2/3 innings but walked three and gave up three runs, two of them earned. Jordan Henriquez worked one inning with one hit, one walk, and one strikeout. Luke Alwood took the win with three innings, one hit, one walk, and five strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Juan Cabada 5 1 2 1 0 0 Jose Silva 4 2 2 1 0 1 Caden Sorrell 5 2 2 1 0 2 Ethan Conrad 5 1 2 1 0 2 Corey Nunez 4 2 3 2 1 0 Derniche Valdez 4 1 1 4 0 1 Derik Alcantara 3 1 0 0 2 0 Fernando Cruz 4 0 0 0 1 3 Ivan Cespedes 3 0 1 0 0 1 Jan Luis Reyes 0 1 0 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Chase Meyer 3 1/3 2 1 1 3 6 0 Geovanny Vasquez 1 2/3 0 3 2 3 2 0 Jordan Henriquez 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 Luke Alwood 3 1 0 0 1 5 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-4, 2 RBI Kevin Alcantara: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K Ethan Conrad: 2-for-5, 3B, RBI, 2 K Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB Owen Ayers: DNP Jonathon Long: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI Eli Lovich: DNP Ariel Armas: 1-for-4, 2 K Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Cubs Score Seven Over Two Innings To Edge St. Paul The Iowa Cubs trailed 3-0 through five innings, then scored seven runs over the next two and held on for a 7-6 win over St. Paul. Kevin Alcantara started the comeback with a two run homer, his 19th of the season, that brought home Owen Miller. The seventh inning delivered the rest. Justin Dean opened with a double, Greg Jones singled him home, and Ben Cowles doubled to put runners at second and third. Jordan Nwogu singled to score both Jones and Cowles, and BJ Murray followed with a two run homer, his 14th, that scored Nwogu and pushed the lead to 7-3. Alcantara added a double later in the frame and finished 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and two RBI. Nwogu went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, Miller went 2-for-4 with a double, and Murray drove in two. Iowa totaled 10 hits, four doubles, two home runs, and three walks, and left six runners on base. Braxton Garrett started and allowed one run on one hit with six walks and one strikeout over two innings. Luis Peralta allowed two runs on one hit with one walk and two strikeouts across two innings, and Hoby Milner allowed one hit and one walk over one inning without a run. Connor Noland earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks over 3 2/3 innings. Tyler Ferguson closed it out for his second save after St. Paul cut the deficit to one run Iowa Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K BJ Murray 5 1 1 2 0 2 Owen Miller 4 1 2 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 3 0 0 0 1 2 Kevin Alcantara 4 1 2 2 0 1 Chas McCormick 4 0 0 0 0 1 Justin Dean 4 1 1 0 0 1 Greg Jones 3 1 1 1 1 2 Ben Cowles 4 1 1 0 0 0 Jordan Nwogu 3 1 2 2 1 1 Iowa Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braxton Garrett 2 1 1 1 6 1 0 Luis Peralta 2 1 2 2 1 2 0 Hoby Milner 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 Connor Noland 3 2/3 7 3 3 0 3 1 Tyler Ferguson 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knoxville Smokies Break Through With Four Run Seventh Against Rocket City The Knoxville Smokies collected 13 hits and pulled away late for a 7-1 win over Rocket City. Knoxville tied the game in the second inning when Dom Krupinski walked, Ariel Armas singled, and Drew Bowser singled to bring Krupinski home. Carter Trice scored on a Krupinski groundout in the fourth, and Armas singled home Trice in the sixth for a 3-1 lead. The seventh inning turned it into a rout. Bowser opened with a single and was forced at second on a Karson Simas grounder. Kane Kepley singled to move Simas to third, and Alex Ramirez doubled to score both Simas and Kepley. Miguel Useche followed with a double that scored Ramirez, and Andy Garriola singled home Useche for the fourth run of the inning. Armas led the offense with a 3-for-4 night and one RBI. Ramirez went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI, Useche went 2-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI, and Bowser went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Trice scored twice, and Kepley, leading off, singled and scored. Knoxville left eight runners on base. Connor Schultz earned the win after allowing one run on five hits with one walk and one strikeout over five innings. Shelby Miller struck out all three batters he faced over one inning. Tyler Schlaffer allowed two hits with two strikeouts over two innings and did not allow a run, and Vince Reilly struck out one over a hitless inning. The staff issued just one walk. Knoxville Smokies Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 1 1 0 0 1 Alex Ramirez 5 1 2 2 0 2 Miguel Useche 5 1 2 1 0 0 Andy Garriola 4 0 1 1 0 2 Carter Trice 4 2 1 0 0 0 Dom Krupinski 3 1 1 0 1 1 Ariel Armas 4 0 3 1 0 0 Drew Bowser 4 0 2 1 0 0 Karson Simas 4 1 0 0 0 0 Knoxville Smokies Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Schultz 5 5 1 1 1 1 0 Shelby Miller 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 Tyler Schlaffer 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 Vince Reilly 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 South Bend Cubs Fall At Great Lakes After Six Run Sixth The South Bend Cubs managed three hits and dropped an 11-3 decision at Great Lakes. South Bend fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and did not answer until the fourth. Alexey Lumpuy was hit by a pitch, Logan Poteet doubled him to third, and Michael Hallquist walked to load the bases. Justin Stransky was hit by a pitch to force in the first run, and Kade Snell, batting leadoff, lifted a sacrifice fly to score Poteet and cut the deficit to 3-2. The sixth inning ended the competitive portion of the night. Great Lakes sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs on five hits, two triples among them, plus two walks, and South Bend never recovered. The last South Bend run came in the eighth, when Lumpuy walked, Stransky walked, Snell reached on catcher interference, and Angel Cepeda was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Poteet went 1-for-3 with a double, Cepeda went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, and Jose Escobar went 1-for-4 with a walk. Josiah Hartshorn went 0-for-4. South Bend drew seven walks and struck out nine times, and left 12 runners on base. Braylon Myers started and took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and one strikeout over 2 1/3 innings. Jose Romero allowed two runs on two hits with two walks over one inning. Noah Edders was charged with six runs on five hits over 2/3 of an inning. Nate Williams retired all five batters he faced with two strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings, and Luis Rujano did not allow a hit over 2 1/3 innings. South Bend Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Kade Snell 3 0 0 1 0 1 Angel Cepeda 3 0 1 1 1 1 Josiah Hartshorn 4 0 0 0 0 0 Jose Escobar 4 0 1 0 1 1 Matt Halbach 5 0 0 0 0 1 Alexey Lumpuy 2 2 0 0 2 1 Logan Poteet 3 1 1 0 0 1 Geuri Lubo 1 0 0 0 0 1 Michael Hallquist 3 0 0 0 1 2 Justin Stransky 1 0 0 1 2 0 South Bend Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 2 1/3 3 3 3 3 1 0 Jose Romero 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 Nate Williams 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Noah Edders 2/3 5 6 6 2 2 0 Luis Rujano 2 1/3 0 0 0 2 0 0 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Ride Two-Hitter Past Hill City The Myrtle Beach Pelicans held Hill City to two hits and won 3-1. Myrtle Beach scored in the first inning when Alexis Hernandez walked and came around on an Ethan Conrad double, his fifth of the season. The Pelicans added a run in the second. Eli Lovich walked, Corey Nunez singled him to second, and Ivan Cespedes singled to bring Lovich home for a 2-0 lead. The winning margin came in the fourth. Jhoander Irigoyen reached on a throwing error and took second, Lovich singled him to third, and Nunez grounded into a force out that scored Irigoyen for a 3-1 lead. Conrad went 1-for-4 with a double. Lovich went 1-for-2 with a walk, and Nunez, Cespedes, Jhoander Irigoyen, and Caden Sorrell each had a hit. The Pelicans totaled six hits, two walks, and one double, and left five runners on base. Juan Cabada, batting leadoff, went 0-for-4. Jubrayker Salaya started and allowed one unearned run on one hit with one walk and two strikeouts over three innings. Victor Zarraga earned the win after allowing no hits and no walks with two strikeouts over three innings. Julio Valdez recorded his first save, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over three innings, and no run scored against him. The staff walked two, struck out six, and did not allow an earned run. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Juan Cabada 4 0 0 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 3 1 0 0 1 0 Caden Sorrell 4 0 1 0 0 0 Ethan Conrad 4 0 1 0 0 1 Jhoander Irigoyen 4 1 1 0 0 0 Eli Lovich 2 1 1 0 1 1 Corey Nunez 3 0 1 1 0 0 Derniche Valdez 3 0 0 0 0 3 Ivan Cespedes 3 0 1 1 0 1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jubrayker Salaya 3 1 1 0 1 2 0 Victor Zarraga 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Julio Valdez 3 1 0 0 1 2 0 Top 20 Prospect Performances 1. Jefferson Rojas: DNP 2. Pedro Ramirez: DNP 3. Jaxon Wiggins: DNP 4. Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4 5. Kevin Alcantara: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 1 K 6. Ethan Conrad: 1-for-4, 2B, 1 K 7. Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, 1 K 8. Owen Ayers: 0-for-3, 2 K 9. Jonathon Long: DNP 10. Kaleb Wing: DNP 11. James Triantos: DNP 12. Brooks Caple: DNP 13. Mason McGwire: DNP 14. Ty Southisene: DNP 15. Will Sanders: DNP 16. Juan Cabada: 0-for-4, 1 K 17. Eli Lovich: 1-for-2, 1 K 18. Ariel Armas: 3-for-4 19. Jostin Florentino: DNP 20. Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs activated RHP Clay Holmes from the 60-day injured list. Chicago Cubs optioned LHP Braxton Garrett to Iowa Cubs. Triple-A Iowa Cubs: Kevin Alcántara Homers In Iowa's 16-3 Loss At Indianapolis Iowa took the lead first. Justin Dean walked to open the game, moved up on a single by Owen Ayers and a walk to Kevin Alcántara, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Chas McCormick. Indianapolis erased that in the second, batting around and scoring nine runs on a two-run double by Jack Brannigan, RBI singles by Joshua Palacios, Cameron Barstad, and Mitch Jebb, an RBI double by Billy Cook, and a two-run single by Dominic Fletcher. Two Iowa throwing errors extended the inning. Alcántara answered with a solo home run in the third, his 18th of the season, and finished 1-for-2 with two walks and a run driven in. Hayden Cantrelle tripled home a run in the fourth and went 1-for-4. Owen Ayers had one of Iowa's four hits, going 1-for-5, and Owen Miller went 1-for-4. Iowa drew six walks and was hit twice, but struck out nine times and stranded 14 runners. Will Sanders started and took the loss, allowing five hits, seven runs, seven earned, with three walks and one strikeout over 1 2/3 innings. Collin Snider allowed two hits and two runs in 1/3 of an inning. Antoine Kelly walked two and allowed two runs, and Evan Taylor allowed one hit over 1 1/3 innings. Daniel Palencia struck out one and walked one over one inning. Grant Kipp allowed five hits and five runs across 2 1/3 innings, including a two-run home run to Barstad. Hayden Cantrelle finished the game with 2/3 of an inning. Iowa committed four errors, and three of Indianapolis' 16 runs were unearned. Iowa Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean 3 1 0 0 2 2 Owen Ayers 5 0 1 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 2 1 1 1 2 0 Owen Miller 4 0 1 0 0 1 Chas McCormick 1 0 0 1 1 1 Grant Kipp 1 0 0 0 0 1 Ben Cowles 3 0 0 0 1 1 Greg Jones 1 0 0 0 0 1 Ed Howard 2 1 0 0 0 0 Ethan Hearn 3 0 0 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 4 0 1 1 0 0 Totals 29 3 4 3 6 9 Iowa Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Will Sanders 1 2/3 5 7 7 3 1 0 Collin Snider 1/3 2 2 1 1 0 0 Antoine Kelly 2/3 1 2 0 2 2 0 Evan Taylor 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 Daniel Palencia 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Grant Kipp 2 1/3 5 5 5 3 3 1 Hayden Cantrelle 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 8 15 16 13 10 8 1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies: Ariel Armas Drives In Four As Knoxville Beats Chattanooga 9-4 Knoxville scored in seven of nine innings and collected 20 hits. Ariel Armas led the way, going 4-for-6 with a home run, a double, and four runs driven in. He homered in the second, doubled home a run in the third, singled home a run in the fourth, and singled home another in the sixth. Kane Kepley went 2-for-4 with two walks and three runs driven in, including a two-run home run in the fourth and a run-scoring double in the seventh. Alex Madera went 3-for-4 with a run driven in and two runs scored with some great defensive plays. Dom Krupinski went 3-for-5 with a double. Carter Trice went 2-for-6 with a double and two runs scored. Andy Garriola went 2-for-4 with two walks and a solo home run in the ninth, his 20th of the season. Drew Bowser added two hits. Brooks Caple started and threw four scoreless innings, allowing no hits, walking two, and striking out seven. Jackson Brockett earned the win with three hits, three runs, three earned, three walks, and four strikeouts over three innings, with all three runs coming in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk to Carlos Sanchez and a two-run double by Ruben Ibarra. Tyler Ras closed with two innings, allowing one hit and one run on a solo home run by Carter Graham, with no walks and two strikeouts. Knoxville Smokies Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 1 2 3 2 0 Andy Garriola 4 2 2 1 2 0 Miguel Useche 5 0 1 0 1 0 Carter Trice 6 2 2 0 0 1 Dom Krupinski 5 1 3 0 1 2 Ariel Armas 6 1 4 4 0 0 Drew Bowser 5 0 2 0 0 2 Alex Madera 4 2 3 1 0 1 Karson Simas 4 0 1 0 0 2 Totals 43 9 20 9 6 8 Knoxville Smokies Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brooks Caple 4 0 0 0 2 7 0 Jackson Brockett 3 3 3 3 3 4 0 Tyler Ras 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 Totals 9 4 4 4 5 13 1 High-A South Bend Cubs: South Bend Shut Out 7-0 By Cedar Rapids South Bend managed four hits and two walks and never scored. Angel Cepeda went 1-for-4 as the leadoff man. Kade Snell went 1-for-4 with a double. Josiah Hartshorn went 1-for-4, and Michael Hallquist went 1-for-4. Michael Carico and Justin Stransky each drew a walk. The Cubs struck out eight times and did not put a runner across in any inning. Pierce Coppola started and took the loss, allowing five hits, two runs, one earned, with one walk and four strikeouts over four innings. Cedar Rapids scratched a run across in the second on a run-scoring groundout by Byron Chourio, and Quinn McDaniel homered in the fourth. Nate Williams allowed four hits and five earned runs over 3 1/3 innings with no walks and three strikeouts. Chourio hit a three-run home run off him in the sixth, and Jose Salas doubled home a run and Luis Hernandez added a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Yoendris Gonzalez finished with 1 2/3 innings, two hits, no runs, no walks, and three strikeouts. South Bend Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Angel Cepeda 4 0 1 0 0 1 Kade Snell 4 0 1 0 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn 4 0 1 0 0 1 Jose Escobar 4 0 0 0 0 0 Alexey Lumpuy 4 0 0 0 0 2 Michael Hallquist 4 0 1 0 0 1 Michael Carico 2 0 0 0 1 1 Geuri Lubo 3 0 0 0 0 1 Justin Stransky 2 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 31 0 4 0 2 8 South Bend Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Pierce Coppola 4 5 2 1 1 4 1 Nate Williams 3 1/3 4 5 5 0 3 1 Yoendris Gonzalez 1 2/3 2 0 0 0 3 0 Totals 9 11 7 6 1 10 2 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Myrtle Beach Falls 4-3 In 10 Innings At Hickory Myrtle Beach struck out 17 times, took a one-run lead in the 10th, and lost on a walk-off. Alexey Lumpuy led off and went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored. His solo home run in the third, his seventh, put the Pelicans ahead 2-1. Alexis Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a hit by pitch and a run driven in. Ethan Conrad went 1-for-5, Derik Alcantara went 1-for-4, and Edward Vargas went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Eli Lovich went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly that drove in the game's first run, and Fernando Cruz went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. In the 10th, Alexis Hernandez lifted a sacrifice fly that scored zombie runner Edward Vargas for a 3-2 lead. Hickory answered with a run-scoring double by Marco Argudin and a run-scoring groundout by Pablo Guerrero to end it with one out. Noah Edders started and allowed four hits and one earned run over four innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. Emilio Ramos followed with three innings, four hits, one earned run, one walk, and five strikeouts, with the run coming on a solo home run by Yolfran Castillo. Edwardo Melendez took the loss, allowing two hits and two unearned runs over 2 1/3 innings with one walk and three strikeouts. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 4 2 2 1 1 1 Alexis Hernandez 3 0 1 1 0 1 Ethan Conrad 5 0 1 0 0 1 Eli Lovich 4 0 0 1 0 3 Derniche Valdez 3 0 0 0 2 2 Derik Alcantara 4 0 1 0 0 2 Fernando Cruz 4 0 0 0 0 4 Jose Silva 3 0 0 0 1 1 Edward Vargas 4 1 1 0 0 2 Totals 34 3 6 3 4 17 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders 4 4 1 1 0 4 0 Emilio Ramos 3 4 1 1 1 5 1 Edwardo Melendez 2 1/3 2 2 0 1 3 0 Totals 9 1/3 10 4 2 2 12 1 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-4, K Kevin Alcantara: 1-for-2, HR, 2 BB, RBI Ethan Conrad: 1-for-5, K Kane Kepley: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 BB, 3 RBI Owen Ayers: 1-for-5 Jonathon Long: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: 1 2/3 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 1 K Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 0-for-4, RBI, 3 K Ariel Armas: 4-for-6, HR, 2B, 4 RBI Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: 2 1/3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0-for-1, K View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Andrew Wantz to a minor league contract. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs recalled LHP Braxton Garrett from Iowa Cubs. Kansas City Royals claimed LHP Luke Little off waivers from Chicago Cubs. Iowa Cubs Lose On A Two-Out Walk-Off Single In Indianapolis Iowa lost 3-2 to Indianapolis, with the winning run scoring on a two-out single in the ninth inning. The Cubs out-hit the Indians 7-6 and drew six walks, but they struck out 10 times and left eight runners on base. Iowa took the lead in the second inning. Chas McCormick walked, advanced to second base on a wild pitch, stole third base, and came home on Jordan Nwogu's sacrifice fly to center field. That 1-0 margin held into the seventh, when Indianapolis loaded the bases against Andrew Wantz on singles by Duce Gourson and Derek Berg and a hit batsman. Wantz then hit Mitch Jebb to force in the tying run and walked Billy Cook to force in a second run, and Indianapolis led 2-1. The Cubs answered in the eighth. Hayden Cantrelle singled to right field, BJ Murray walked, and Owen Miller singled to right field to score Cantrelle and tie the game 2-2. In the ninth, Gabe Klobosits retired the first two hitters before Dominic Fletcher tripled to center field. Klobosits intentionally walked Jebb, and Cook lined a single to right field to end it. Cantrelle led the offense with three hits in four at-bats, and Ben Cowles added two hits. Connor Noland opened with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts, and Ethan Roberts and Jayden Murray followed with three more scoreless innings. Wantz was charged with the blown save, and Klobosits took the loss. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ben Cowles 5 0 2 0 0 2 Owen Ayers 3 0 0 0 1 0 BJ Murray 3 0 0 0 1 2 Owen Miller 4 0 1 1 0 1 Chas McCormick 1 1 0 0 2 1 Ethan Hearn 4 0 0 0 0 2 Jordan Nwogu 1 0 0 1 2 0 Ed Howard 4 0 1 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 4 1 3 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Noland 3 1 0 0 1 2 0 Ethan Roberts 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 Jayden Murray (H, 5) 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 Andrew Wantz (BS, 2) 1 2 2 2 1 2 0 Gabe Klobosits (L, 0-2) 1 2/3 2 1 1 1 1 0 Knoxville Homers Four Times In A 7-3 Win At Chattanooga Knoxville beat Chattanooga 7-3 behind four home runs and 10 hits. The Smokies drew only one walk, but they made their contact count, leaving just three runners on base. Miguel Useche opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Chattanooga took the lead in the third, when Kien Vu walked, Jay Allen II homered to right center field for two runs, and Carlos Sanchez followed with a solo home run to right field for a 3-1 lead. The Smokies took that lead back in the fifth. Edgar Alvarez walked, Karson Simas doubled to left field to put runners on second and third, and Drew Bowser hit a three-run home run to left field for a 4-3 lead. Dom Krupinski followed with a triple, though he was stranded. Knoxville added insurance twice. Alvarez homered to right field in the seventh, and in the eighth Alex Ramírez singled and Andy Garriola hit a two-run home run to left field, his 19th of the season, for the 7-3 final. Simas finished with three hits in four at-bats, and Bowser drove in three runs. Brody McCullough earned the win with five innings, allowing three runs on three hits with two walks, two strikeouts, and two home runs. Connor Schultz was the difference from there, striking out six over three hitless innings for the hold, and Kenyi Perez finished with a scoreless ninth. Ariel Armas went hitless in four at-bats. Player AB R H RBI BB K Dom Krupinski 5 0 1 0 0 1 Alex Ramírez 4 1 1 0 0 0 Andy Garriola 4 1 1 2 0 0 Miguel Useche 4 1 1 1 0 0 Ariel Armas 4 0 0 0 0 1 Edgar Alvarez 3 2 1 1 1 1 Karson Simas 4 1 3 0 0 0 Alex Madera 4 0 1 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 4 1 1 3 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough (W, 1-2) 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 Connor Schultz (H, 2) 3 0 0 0 1 6 0 Kenyi Perez 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 South Bend Cubs Break Through In The Eighth To Win Game One South Bend beat Cedar Rapids 4-1 in the first game of the doubleheader, scoring three times in the eighth inning to pull away. The Cubs collected eight hits and left six runners on base, while Cedar Rapids left eight. South Bend scored first in the opening inning. Angel Cepeda doubled to center field, moved to third base when Kade Snell reached on a throwing error, and scored on Josiah Hartshorn's sacrifice fly to center field. Cedar Rapids tied it in the second on JP Smith II's solo home run to left center field, and the game stayed 1-1 into the eighth. The Cubs then put together their best inning of the day. Cepeda singled to center field, Kade Snell singled to left field, and Hartshorn singled to left field to score Cepeda. Jose Escobar loaded the bases with a single, Matt Halbach hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Snell, and Alexey Lumpuy doubled to center field to bring in Hartshorn while also making a great plays defensively in centerfield. Lumpuy got his first hit in High-A ball. That's a lot of Lumpuy but it's important to document firsts. Here's some of his performance from yesterday: Sadly, Lumpuy was thrown out trying to reach third base, but the damage was done and South Bend led 4-1. Cepeda finished with two hits, a double, and two runs scored. Hartshorn went 2-for-2 with a walk and two RBI, and Escobar added two hits. Braylon Myers started and allowed one run on one hit over three innings, though he walked four. JP Wheat followed with two hitless innings, and Brayden Spears took the win with four innings of two-hit, scoreless relief. Player AB R H RBI BB K Angel Cepeda 4 2 2 0 0 1 Kade Snell 4 1 1 0 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn 2 1 2 2 1 0 Jose Escobar 4 0 2 0 0 0 Matt Halbach 2 0 0 1 1 0 Alexey Lumpuy 4 0 1 1 0 2 Geuri Lubo 4 0 0 0 0 2 Brennan Hudson 3 0 0 0 0 3 Justin Stransky 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 JP Wheat 2 0 0 0 3 1 0 Brayden Spears (W, 7-2) 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 South Bend Drops Game Two After A Four-Run Cedar Rapids Sixth Cedar Rapids beat South Bend 4-2 in the seven-inning nightcap, breaking the game open with three runs in the sixth inning. The Cubs managed only three hits and left three runners on base. JP Smith II gave Cedar Rapids the lead with a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning, his second of the year and his second home run of the day. South Bend tied it in the fifth, when Lumpuy doubled and came home on Michael Hallquist's sacrifice fly to center field. The sixth inning decided it. Adam Stone hit Jayson Bass and Jose Salas with pitches to put two runners on, and Quinn McDaniel singled to center field to score Bass. Salas then scored from third base on a pickoff error at first base, and Miguel Briceno singled to center field to bring in McDaniel for a 4-1 lead. South Bend got one back in the bottom of the sixth on Kade Snell's solo home run to left center field, his seventh of the season, but the Cubs did not score again. Cole Peschl struck out three in the seventh inning to close it out. Snell and Lumpuy accounted for two of South Bend's three hits, with Michael Carico adding the other. Nazier Mulé was strong in the start, striking out six over five innings and allowing one run on four hits. Stone took the loss, giving up three runs, two of them earned, over two innings. Player AB R H RBI BB K Angel Cepeda 3 0 0 0 0 2 Kade Snell 3 1 1 1 0 1 Matt Halbach 3 0 0 0 0 0 Jose Escobar 3 0 0 0 0 0 Logan Poteet 2 0 0 0 1 2 Alexey Lumpuy 3 1 1 0 0 1 Michael Carico 3 0 1 0 0 0 Michael Hallquist 2 0 0 1 0 1 Brennan Hudson 2 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mulé 5 4 1 1 2 6 1 Adam Stone (L, 5-2) 2 2 3 2 0 2 0 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Postponed The Pelicans' game at Columbia was postponed by rain and has been rescheduled. Top 20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, BB Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: DNP Owen Ayers: 0-for-3, BB Jonathon Long: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: DNP Ariel Armas: 0-for-4, K Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs sent RHP Daniel Palencia on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs activated RHP Kevin Gausman. Chicago Cubs optioned LHP Antoine Kelly to Iowa Cubs. Owen Ayers Delivers Twice As Iowa Wins In Extras Iowa needed 10 innings and a pair of clutch swings from Owen Ayers to leave Indianapolis with a 5-3 win. Edward Cabrera set the tone, striking out eight across four innings without issuing a walk and allowing just one hit. The only run charged to him was unearned, coming home on his own throwing error after Mitch Jebb tripled. Hoby Milner followed with one inning, a walk and two strikeouts, and a runner he put aboard came around to score. Collin Snider worked an inning without surrendering a hit or a walk, though an error behind him allowed that inherited runner to cross. Daniel Palencia blew the save, giving up a run on a hit and two walks across 2/3 of an inning. Jordan Wicks then covered 3 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out three to earn the win. Ayers was the story at the plate. He singled home Hayden Cantrelle to put Iowa in front 3-2, then doubled in zombie runner Jordan Nwogu for the go-ahead run in the 10th. Owen Miller followed with a fielder's choice that plated Ayers, and a throwing error let Miller reach second. Ben Cowles and Cantrelle each drove in a run. Chas McCormick reached three times on two hits and a walk, while BJ Murray drew a pair of walks. Iowa struck out 11 times and stranded nine runners, but the staff held Indianapolis to four hits and piled up 14 strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Greg Jones 4 0 0 0 0 0 Jordan Nwogu 1 1 0 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 5 1 2 2 0 1 BJ Murray 3 0 0 0 2 0 Owen Miller 4 1 1 1 1 2 Chas McCormick 4 0 2 0 1 1 Ben Cowles 5 0 1 1 0 1 Ethan Hearn 4 1 0 0 1 3 Ed Howard 4 0 0 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 3 1 1 1 1 1 Totals 37 5 7 5 6 11 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Edward Cabrera 4 1 1 0 0 8 0 Hoby Milner 1 1 1 0 1 2 0 Collin Snider 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Daniel Palencia 2/3 1 1 1 2 1 0 Jordan Wicks 3 1/3 1 0 0 2 3 0 Totals 10 4 3 1 5 14 0 Dom Krupinski Goes Deep Twice In A One-Hit Shutout (Game 1 of 2) Knoxville needed only seven innings and two arms to hand Chattanooga a 4-0 shutout in the opener of a doubleheader. Dawson Netz was outstanding, working five innings without allowing a run and giving up a single hit, walking two and striking out four. He hit one batter and never let the Lookouts build a threat. Tyler Ras finished the job, retiring all six hitters he faced and striking out four to lock down his fifth save. The pair combined for a one-hitter with eight strikeouts and faced just 24 batters. Dom Krupinski provided most of the offense. In his AA debut he homered twice, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, and his second shot pushed the lead to 4-0. Cleanup man Miguel Useche opened the scoring with a solo home run, his second of the year, and also went 2-for-3. Knoxville's other run arrived without a hit. Ariel Armas walked, advanced on a single and a force out, then scored when shortstop Carlos Sanchez threw the ball away on Karson Simas' stolen base attempt. Simas took third on the play, and the run went down as unearned. Andy Garriola, Carter Trice and Alex Madera each singled. Leadoff man Kane Kepley reached twice on a walk and a hit by pitch. The Smokies stranded five and struck out seven times, but with Netz and Ras carrying the afternoon, four runs proved to be plenty. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 2 0 0 0 1 0 Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Andy Garriola 4 0 1 0 0 0 Miguel Useche 3 1 2 1 0 0 Carter Trice 3 0 1 0 0 2 Ariel Armas 2 1 0 0 1 1 Alex Madera 3 0 1 0 0 0 Karson Simas 3 0 0 0 0 0 Dom Krupinski 3 2 2 2 0 1 Totals 27 4 7 3 2 7 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz 5 1 0 0 2 4 0 Tyler Ras 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 Totals 7 1 0 0 2 8 0 Miguel Useche And The Bullpen Finish Off The Sweep (Game 2 of 2) Knoxville completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-1 win, riding another strong start and a three-run second. Tyler Schlaffer gave the Smokies four innings without a run, scattering two hits and one walk while striking out four. Grayson Moore followed with two hitless innings and three strikeouts to pick up the win. Marino Santy handled the finish and ran into trouble, walking three and hitting a batter before Johnny Ascanio's bases-loaded walk pushed across Chattanooga's only run. Santy got Kien Vu to ground out to third to end it with the bases still loaded. The Smokies did their damage early. Edgar Alvarez walked to start the rally, and once the bases were loaded, Alex Ramírez drew a walk of his own to force in the first run. Andy Garriola followed with a single to right that scored Drew Bowser and Dom Krupinski for a 3-0 cushion. Miguel Useche added a solo home run, his third of the season, and finished 1-for-3 with a walk. Garriola led the offense at 2-for-4 with two RBI, accounting for half of Knoxville's four hits. Knoxville managed only those four hits but drew six walks, and Alvarez reached three times without one. Bowser singled, walked and scored. The Smokies left six on base and struck out eight times, though the staff needed just two hits' worth of damage control across seven innings. Player AB R H RBI BB K Dom Krupinski 3 1 0 0 1 0 Alex Ramírez 3 0 0 1 1 1 Andy Garriola 4 0 2 2 0 0 Miguel Useche 3 1 1 1 1 1 Carter Trice 3 0 0 0 0 2 Edgar Alvarez 1 1 0 0 2 1 Karson Simas 3 0 0 0 0 1 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 2 1 1 0 1 1 Totals 25 4 4 4 6 8 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Tyler Schlaffer 4 2 0 0 1 4 0 Grayson Moore 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 Marino Santy 1 0 1 1 3 1 0 Totals 7 2 1 1 4 8 0 South Bend Cubs South Bend's game at Cedar Rapids was suspended by weather with the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning. It is scheduled to resume today, and the completed statistics will appear in a future recap. Wild Pitches Decide It As Myrtle Beach Falls In Columbia Myrtle Beach could not solve Columbia in a 3-1 loss, a game in which two of the four runs crossed on wild pitches. Anhuar Garcia started and gave the Pelicans 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits without walking a batter and striking out one. David Bracho followed and took the loss, covering 3 1/3 innings and surrendering three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks. His own wild pitch brought Yandel Ricardo home from third, and later Sean Gamble doubled to right to plate two more. Julio Valdez closed things out with two innings, one hit, no walks and a strikeout. The Pelicans briefly pulled even. Caden Sorrell singled, moved up when Alexis Hernandez struck out and reached on a wild pitch, then scored on another wild pitch. Myrtle Beach did not record a single RBI all night, and every run it scored or allowed came without a productive swing behind it. Sorrell was the only Pelican with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a run. Ethan Conrad, Eli Lovich, Hernandez and Jan Luis Reyes each added a single. Jose Silva drew both of the team's walks. The offense struck out 13 times, stranded six and never produced an extra-base hit. The staff issued no walks across eight innings, but Columbia's two-run rally in the middle of the game proved to be more than Myrtle Beach could answer. Player AB R H RBI BB K Caden Sorrell 4 1 2 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 1 0 0 1 Ethan Conrad 4 0 1 0 0 1 Eli Lovich 4 0 1 0 0 3 Derniche Valdez 4 0 0 0 0 2 Jose Silva 2 0 0 0 2 1 Corey Nunez 4 0 0 0 0 0 Jhoander Irigoyen 3 0 0 0 0 2 Jan Luis Reyes 3 0 1 0 0 2 Totals 32 1 6 0 2 13 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Anhuar Garcia 2 2/3 2 0 0 0 1 0 David Bracho 3 1/3 4 3 3 0 4 0 Julio Valdez 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 8 7 3 3 0 6 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: 1-for-4, K Kane Kepley: 0-for-2, BB Owen Ayers: 2-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, K Jonathon Long: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 1-for-4, 3 K Ariel Armas: 0-for-2, R, BB, K Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs sent RHP Andrew Wantz outright to Iowa Cubs. Iowa Cubs Build Early Lead, Then Fall 7-4 To Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Iowa scored in each of the first two innings and led 4-1 through four, but the offense stopped there in a 7-4 loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Brett Bateman singled to open the first, and Moisés Ballesteros singled him home two batters later. Kevin Alcántara drew a walk to start the second, Owen Miller reached on a force out, and Chas McCormick doubled Miller in. The fourth was the biggest inning. BJ Murray doubled to lead off, Miller singled him to third, and McCormick walked to load the bases. Ben Cowles then lined a single to center that scored Murray and Miller for a 4-1 lead. Bateman walked to reload the bases, but Owen Ayers struck out to end the inning. Grant Kipp allowed four runs on two hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out three. He left with two runners on and two outs in the fifth, and both scored on a three-run homer charged to Eduarniel Núñez, who allowed two runs on three hits over 1 1/3 innings with a walk and a strikeout. Hoby Milner gave up a home run and one run on two hits in 1 1/3 innings. Gabe Klobosits recorded two outs with a strikeout, and Ethan Roberts worked one scoreless inning with a strikeout. Iowa finished with 10 hits and five walks, and left seven runners on base. Cowles went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk, Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Bateman went 2-for-4 with a walk. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman, RF 4 1 2 0 1 1 Owen Ayers, DH 4 0 0 0 1 1 Moisés Ballesteros, C 4 0 2 1 0 1 Jonathon Long, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 BJ Murray, 3B 4 1 1 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara, LF 3 0 1 0 1 1 Owen Miller, SS 4 2 1 0 0 1 Chas McCormick, CF 3 0 1 1 1 1 Ben Cowles, 2B 3 0 2 2 1 0 Totals 33 4 10 4 5 7 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 4 2/3 2 4 4 3 3 1 Eduarniel Núñez (L, 0-2) 1 1/3 3 2 2 1 1 1 Hoby Milner 1 1/3 2 1 1 0 1 1 Gabe Klobosits 2/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 Ethan Roberts 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 9 8 7 7 4 7 3 Ariel Armas Homers, But Knoxville Smokies Fall 3-2 In Ten Innings Ariel Armas tied the game with a two-run homer in the fourth, and Knoxville held Pensacola even until the tenth in a 3-2 loss. https://x.com/smokiesbaseball/status/2083708314211274803 Pensacola scored first in the third on a single and a two-run homer. Knoxville answered in the fourth. Alex Ramírez opened with a single to center, Andy Garriola flied out, and Miguel Useche struck out. Armas then drove a two-run homer to left center to make it 2-2. Alex Madera walked behind him, but Ed Howard struck out to strand the runner. The score held there for five more innings. Knoxville put two runners on with one out in the ninth on walks by Useche and Armas, and did not score. In the tenth, the visiting zombie runner moved to third on a single and scored on a double play grounder, and Knoxville trailed 3-2. In the bottom half, zombie runner Ed Howard reached third on a leadoff single by Drew Bowser, but the Smokies stranded both runners on a strikeout, a pop out, and a force out. Brooks Caple allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, walking two and striking out four. Evan Taylor followed with two scoreless innings, walking two and striking out one. Tyler Schlaffer worked three innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Knoxville managed five hits, drew four walks, struck out 11 times, and left eight runners on base. Armas went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, and Madera went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Player AB R H RBI BB K Carter Trice, LF 5 0 1 0 0 3 Jefferson Rojas, 3B 4 0 0 0 1 0 Alex Ramírez, CF 5 1 1 0 0 0 Andy Garriola, RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 Miguel Useche, DH 3 0 0 0 1 1 Karson Simas, DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ariel Armas, C 3 1 1 2 1 0 Alex Madera, 2B 3 0 1 0 1 1 Ed Howard, SS 4 0 0 0 0 3 Drew Bowser, 1B 4 0 1 0 0 1 Totals 35 2 5 2 4 11 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brooks Caple 5 5 2 2 2 4 1 Evan Taylor 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 Tyler Schlaffer (L, 1-7) 3 4 1 0 0 3 0 Totals 10 9 3 2 4 8 1 Michael Hallquist Homers Twice As South Bend Cubs Rout Lake County 10-3 South Bend collected 17 hits and 11 walks in a 10-3 win at Lake County, and Michael Hallquist hit two home runs. The second inning put South Bend in front for good. Michael Carico doubled to open it, Geuri Lubo struck out, and Hallquist drove a two-run homer to left center for a 3-1 lead. Hallquist added a solo homer in the fifth. The sixth produced four runs. Matt Halbach walked, Kade Snell grounded out to move him up, and Logan Poteet walked. Carico doubled to center to score Halbach and send Poteet to third. Lubo then singled to second and both Poteet and Carico scored on the play, with a throwing error allowing Lubo to reach second. Hallquist lined out, Kane Kepley walked, and Angel Cepeda doubled to right to score Lubo for a 9-3 lead. Lubo added an RBI single in the seventh that scored Snell. Alfredo Romero allowed two runs on two hits over 3 2/3 innings, walking five and striking out three. Adam Stone allowed one run on one hit in 1 1/3 innings with a walk and a strikeout. Jackson Brockett threw three hitless innings with five strikeouts and two walks. Luis Rujano finished with one scoreless inning, allowing one hit with two strikeouts. Cepeda went 3-for-6 with a double and an RBI, Jose Escobar went 3-for-4 with a walk, and Snell went 3-for-5 with two runs. Carico went 2-for-5 with two doubles. South Bend left 18 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley, DH 5 0 0 1 2 4 Angel Cepeda, SS 6 1 3 1 0 1 Jose Escobar, LF 4 0 3 0 1 0 Matt Halbach, 3B 5 1 2 1 1 1 Kade Snell, CF 5 2 3 0 1 0 Logan Poteet, C 3 1 0 0 3 2 Michael Carico, 1B 5 2 2 1 1 2 Geuri Lubo, RF 6 1 2 2 0 2 Michael Hallquist, 2B 4 2 2 3 2 1 Totals 43 10 17 9 11 13 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Alfredo Romero 3 2/3 2 2 2 5 3 1 Adam Stone 1 1/3 1 1 1 1 1 0 Jackson Brockett (W, 7-2) 3 0 0 0 2 5 0 Luis Rujano 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 Totals 9 4 3 3 9 11 1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Blank Charleston 6-0 Behind Noah Edders And Alexey Lumpuy Myrtle Beach allowed two hits and struck out 13 in a 6-0 win over Charleston, and Alexey Lumpuy drove in three runs. The second inning decided it. Eli Lovich led off with a walk, and Jose Silva doubled him home. Corey Nunez walked, and Dom Krupinski lined a single to right that scored Silva. Jhoander Irigoyen walked to load the bases, and Jan Luis Reyes struck out. Lumpuy then tripled to left, clearing the bases and scoring Nunez, Krupinski, and Irigoyen for a 5-0 lead. Myrtle Beach added a run in the sixth. Krupinski walked with two outs, Irigoyen singled to right, and Reyes brought Krupinski home with a ground ball single to third. Noah Edders allowed one hit over five scoreless innings, walking one and striking out seven. Edwardo Melendez followed with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit with a walk and five strikeouts. Sam Mettert closed it with a scoreless inning and a strikeout. Irigoyen went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run, and Lumpuy went 2-for-4 with a triple, a walk, and three RBI. Silva went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Krupinski scored twice and drove in a run. The Pelicans finished with eight hits and seven walks, and left eight runners on base. They committed no errors. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy, CF 4 0 2 3 1 0 Alexis Hernandez, SS 5 0 0 0 0 4 Ethan Conrad, RF 4 0 0 0 0 0 Eli Lovich, LF 2 1 0 0 2 2 Jose Silva, C 3 1 1 1 1 1 Corey Nunez, 3B 3 1 0 0 1 1 Dom Krupinski, 2B 3 2 1 1 1 1 Jhoander Irigoyen, DH 3 1 3 0 1 0 Jan Luis Reyes, 1B 4 0 1 1 0 2 Totals 31 6 8 6 7 11 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders (W, 1-4) 5 1 0 0 1 7 0 Edwardo Melendez (H, 1) 3 1 0 0 1 5 0 Sam Mettert 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 9 2 0 0 2 13 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-4, BB Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: DNP Kevin Alcantara: 1-for-3, BB, K Ethan Conrad: 0-for-4 Kane Kepley: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 BB, 4 K Owen Ayers: 0-for-4, BB, K Jonathon Long: 0-for-4, K Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K Ariel Armas: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Cubs Held Scoreless In 11-0 Loss To Scranton/Wilkes-Barre The Iowa Cubs were shut out at home, dropping an 11-0 decision to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Iowa managed six hits, drew three walks, struck out nine times, and left six runners on base. Jordan Wicks worked five innings and gave up six hits, five runs, two of them earned, with two walks and one strikeout. The third inning turned the game. A fielder's choice brought home the first run after a throwing error by Owen Miller, a second fielder's choice plated another after a fielding error by Ben Cowles, a single to left made it 3-0, and a groundout to first capped a four-run inning. Wicks also gave up a solo home run in the fourth. Vince Reilly followed with two innings, three hits, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts, with the run crossing on a wild pitch. Collin Snider allowed no hits over an inning but walked two. Luis Peralta recorded two outs and was charged with four hits, five runs, one walk, and one strikeout, surrendering a three-run homer and a solo shot in a five-run ninth. Ethan Hearn retired the only batter he faced. Greg Jones led Iowa with two hits in three at-bats. Jonathon Long, Owen Miller, Kevin Alcántara, and Owen Ayers each had one hit, and Ayers added a walk. Brett Bateman and Hayden Cantrelle also walked. Iowa's best look came in the fifth, when Ayers walked and moved to third on a Jones single, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the inning. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 0 0 0 1 1 Jonathon Long 4 0 1 0 0 0 BJ Murray 4 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Miller 4 0 1 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 4 0 1 0 0 2 Owen Ayers 3 0 1 0 1 2 Ben Cowles 3 0 0 0 0 1 Greg Jones 3 0 2 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 2 0 0 0 1 2 Totals 30 0 6 0 3 9 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jordan Wicks 5 6 5 2 2 1 1 Vince Reilly 2 3 1 1 1 2 0 Collin Snider 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 Luis Peralta 2/3 4 5 5 1 1 2 Ethan Hearn 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 9 13 11 8 6 4 3 Brody McCullough Strikes Out Five In Knoxville's 5-1 Loss The Knoxville Smokies lost 5-1 at home to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, finishing with six hits, five walks, 14 strikeouts, and nine runners left on base. Brody McCullough gave Knoxville five innings, allowing two hits, one run, one walk, and five strikeouts. The only damage against him was a solo home run in the fourth. Luke Little followed with an inning, two hits, two runs, one of them earned, one walk, and one strikeout. Pensacola's sixth began with a fielding error by Jefferson Rojas that let a run score, and a double to left brought in another for a 3-0 lead. Erian Rodriguez worked two innings and gave up two hits and one run without a walk, striking out one, with the run scoring on a groundout. Grayson Moore closed with an inning, one hit, one run, no walks, and two strikeouts, giving up a solo home run. Knoxville got on the board in the eighth. Jefferson Rojas doubled with two outs, then scored on a passed ball during Andy Garriola's at-bat. Garriola singled, Miguel Useche followed with a single, and Carter Trice walked to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the inning. Rojas finished 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and two strikeouts. Useche went 2-for-3 with a walk. Alex Ramírez had one hit and one walk out of the leadoff spot, and Trice drew two walks. The Smokies struck out 14 times, with Edgar Alvarez, Colin Hynek, and Karson Simas combining for eight of them. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 0 1 0 1 0 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 2 0 0 2 Andy Garriola 4 0 1 0 0 2 Miguel Useche 3 0 2 0 1 0 Carter Trice 2 0 0 0 2 0 Edgar Alvarez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Colin Hynek 4 0 0 0 0 3 Karson Simas 4 0 0 0 0 2 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 1 2 Totals 32 1 6 0 5 14 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough 5 2 1 1 1 5 1 Luke Little 1 2 2 1 1 1 0 Erian Rodriguez 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 Grayson Moore 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 Totals 9 7 5 4 2 9 2 Five Home Runs Push South Bend Past Lake County 11-8 The South Bend Cubs hit five home runs and collected 17 hits in an 11-8 win at Lake County. South Bend also drew five walks and left 10 runners on base. Nazier Mulé struck out eight over 3 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, three runs, and one walk. Brayden Spears picked up the win with three innings, three hits, three runs, two walks, and five strikeouts, giving up two home runs. Yoendris Gonzalez worked 1 2/3 innings with two hits, two runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Ethan Bell struck out three in a hitless, walkless inning for his seventh save. South Bend pitchers struck out 19. Kade Snell and Logan Poteet each homered twice. Snell went 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Poteet finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. Matt Halbach added a home run and went 2-for-5 with two RBI. The sixth inning broke the game open. With South Bend ahead 5-4, Josiah Hartshorn tripled to center to score Michael Hallquist and Kane Kepley, and Halbach singled to center to bring Hartshorn home for an 8-4 lead. Hartshorn doubled to right in the seventh to score Kepley and Ty Southisene, and Poteet homered again in the eighth. Hartshorn finished 2-for-5 with a triple, a double, four RBI, and a walk. Southisene went 3-for-6. Kepley had one hit and three walks out of the leadoff spot, and he scored twice. Jose Escobar and Geuri Lubo each had two hits. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 2 1 0 3 0 Ty Southisene 6 1 3 0 0 2 Josiah Hartshorn 5 1 2 4 1 0 Jose Escobar 4 1 2 0 0 0 Matt Halbach 5 1 2 2 0 1 Kade Snell 5 2 2 3 0 0 Logan Poteet 4 2 2 2 1 1 Geuri Lubo 5 0 2 0 0 2 Michael Hallquist 5 1 1 0 0 3 Totals 42 11 17 11 5 9 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mulé 3 1/3 4 3 3 1 8 0 Brayden Spears 3 3 3 3 2 5 2 Yoendris Gonzalez 1 2/3 2 2 2 1 3 0 Ethan Bell 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 Totals 9 9 8 8 4 19 2 Late Charleston Surge Ends Myrtle Beach Comeback In 9-6 Loss The Myrtle Beach Pelicans led through six innings before losing 9-6 at home to the Charleston RiverDogs. Myrtle Beach had nine hits, five walks, 10 strikeouts, two errors, and seven runners left on base. Braylon Myers gave up no runs across five innings, scattering five hits without a walk and striking out eight. David Bracho followed with two innings and was charged with three hits, five runs, two walks, and four strikeouts, taking the loss and a blown save. Charleston's seventh produced five runs, opening with a single that scored a run, a force out with a throwing error by Fernando Cruz that scored another, and a three-run home run to left. Jordan Henriquez worked two innings and allowed four hits, four runs, and one walk with one strikeout, giving up a grand slam that made it 9-3. Jose Silva homered to left center in the second for the game's first run. In the fifth, Corey Nunez walked, Jan Luis Reyes doubled to left, and Ethan Conrad doubled to right to score both for a 3-0 lead. Myrtle Beach answered in the eighth. Silva and Derik Alcantara walked, Nunez singled to left to score Silva, and Reyes tripled to right to bring in Alcantara and Nunez, cutting the deficit to 9-6. Silva finished 2-for-2 with a home run, two walks, one RBI, and two runs scored. Reyes went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBI. Nunez had two hits and a walk with one RBI, and Conrad drove in two. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 5 0 1 0 0 2 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 1 0 1 2 Ethan Conrad 5 0 1 2 0 0 Eli Lovich 5 0 0 0 0 2 Jose Silva 2 2 2 1 2 0 Derik Alcantara 3 1 0 0 1 1 Fernando Cruz 3 0 0 0 0 2 Ivan Cespedes 1 0 0 0 0 1 Corey Nunez 3 2 2 1 1 0 Jan Luis Reyes 4 1 2 2 0 0 Totals 35 6 9 6 5 10 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 5 5 0 0 0 8 0 David Bracho 2 3 5 5 2 4 1 Jordan Henriquez 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 Totals 9 12 9 9 3 13 2 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 K Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-5, 3B, 2B, 4 RBI, BB Kevin Alcántara: 1-for-4, 2 K Ethan Conrad: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI Kane Kepley: 1-for-3, 3 BB Owen Ayers: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K Jonathon Long: 1-for-4 Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: 3-for-6, 2 K Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 0-for-5, 2 K Ariel Armas: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Five games, five losses, and 22 hits across the system. It was not a pretty night for Chicago Cubs affiliates. Brooks Caple threw a quality start and lost, Chas McCormick doubled twice in the nightcap, Michael Carico drove in three of South Bend's four runs, and Myrtle Beach's 10th-inning lead vanished on a throwing error. Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Five-Run Second Sinks Iowa In 8-0 Game One Loss At Gwinnett: Game 1 Iowa managed four hits and no runs in the opener of a doubleheader at Gwinnett, dropping an 8-0 decision in seven innings. Owen Ayers had the only multi-hit game of the night, going 2-for-3. Moisés Ballesteros and Ben Cowles each doubled, accounting for Iowa's two extra-base hits. Jonathon Long and Chas McCormick drew the team's only walks. Iowa struck out seven times and left six runners on base. Jordan Wicks did not get out of the second. He allowed four hits, five runs, and three walks while striking out one over 1 2/3 innings, and he took the loss to fall to 0-8. The second inning turned on a two-out stretch that Wicks could not close. Gwinnett opened with a single and a walk, then a two-run double put Iowa behind. A walk followed, and after a strikeout, another two-run double made it 4-0. A two-out single brought home the fifth run of the frame. Jake Woodford followed with 2 1/3 scoreless innings on three hits, no walks, and one strikeout. Ethan Roberts gave up a hit, a walk, and two runs over an inning, with both runs scoring on a double. Corbin Martin allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk with a strikeout over an inning, with the run crossing on a double play. Iowa did not put a runner across in any inning. Player AB R H RBI BB K BJ Murray, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 1 Jonathon Long, 1B 2 0 0 0 1 1 Moisés Ballesteros, DH 3 0 1 0 0 1 Owen Miller, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Ayers, C 3 0 2 0 0 0 Chas McCormick, LF 2 0 0 0 1 0 Greg Jones, CF 3 0 0 0 0 1 Ben Cowles, 2B 3 0 1 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle, RF 3 0 0 0 0 2 Totals 25 0 4 0 2 7 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jordan Wicks (L, 0-8) 1 2/3 4 5 5 3 1 0 Jake Woodford 2 1/3 3 0 0 0 1 0 Ethan Roberts 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 Corbin Martin 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 Totals 6 9 8 7 5 4 0 Four Runs Before The First Out Bury Iowa In 5-3 Game Two Loss: Game 2 Iowa fell behind by four runs before it recorded an out on defense and lost the nightcap 5-3 in seven innings, completing a doubleheader sweep for Gwinnett. Chas McCormick doubled twice, going 2-for-3 and accounting for both of Iowa's extra-base hits out of a three-hit night. Leadoff man Brett Bateman was 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI. Jonathon Long, Ben Cowles, and Casey Opitz each drew a walk, and Cowles and Opitz both came around to score. BJ Murray drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Greg Jones struck out three times, and Moisés Ballesteros struck out twice. Iowa left three runners on base. The third inning produced all of Iowa's offense. Cowles and Opitz opened with walks, Bateman singled to left to bring Cowles home, and Long walked to load the bases. A wild pitch during Murray's at-bat scored Opitz, and Murray then lifted a sacrifice fly to right that brought in Bateman. Iowa did not score again. Ty Blach gave Iowa three innings, allowing six hits, four runs, and one walk while striking out three. Gwinnett got to him immediately, opening with a double and a walk, then scoring twice on a double and twice more on a home run before Blach recorded an out. Antoine Kelly followed with two innings on one hit, one run, one walk, and three strikeouts, with the run coming on a solo home run. Eduarniel Núñez finished with a scoreless inning, walking two and striking out one without allowing a hit. Blach took the loss and fell to 5-5. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman, CF 2 1 1 1 0 0 Jonathon Long, 1B 2 0 0 0 1 0 BJ Murray, 3B 2 0 0 1 0 1 Moisés Ballesteros, DH 3 0 0 0 0 2 Owen Miller, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 0 Chas McCormick, LF 3 0 2 0 0 0 Greg Jones, RF 3 0 0 0 0 3 Ben Cowles, SS 2 1 0 0 1 0 Casey Opitz, C 2 1 0 0 1 0 Totals 22 3 3 2 3 6 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ty Blach (L, 5-5) 3 6 4 4 1 3 1 Antoine Kelly 2 1 1 1 1 3 1 Eduarniel Núñez 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 Totals 6 7 5 5 4 7 2 Knoxville Piles Up 10 Hits, Strands 10, And Loses 5-0 Knoxville put 10 hits and a walk on the board at Rocket City and never scored, falling 5-0. Andy Garriola went 2-for-4 with a double, Alex Madera went 2-for-4 with a double, and Ethan Hearn went 2-for-4. Carter Trice added the third double of the night, going 1-for-4. Ariel Armas was 1-for-4, Karson Simas was 1-for-3 with a walk, and Alex Ramírez was 1-for-5. Jefferson Rojas and Ed Howard were each hitless in four at-bats. The Smokies struck out 10 times and left 10 runners on base, and the seventh inning was typical of the night, with Madera leading off with a double and being stranded there. Brooks Caple gave Knoxville six innings, allowing six hits, three runs, and no walks while striking out four. Two of the hits left the yard, and that was the difference in his quality start. He took the loss and fell to 3-3. Rocket City broke through in the third on a sacrifice fly, added a solo home run in the fourth, and got another solo home run in the fifth. Erian Rodriguez could not find the plate, giving up two hits, two walks, and two runs over an inning. Both of those runs walked home with one out. Evan Taylor followed with a scoreless inning on one hit. Knoxville's pitching allowed nine hits and two walks over eight innings. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez, CF 5 0 1 0 0 1 Jefferson Rojas, DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 Andy Garriola, LF 4 0 2 0 0 2 Carter Trice, RF 4 0 1 0 0 2 Ariel Armas, C 4 0 1 0 0 0 Ethan Hearn, 1B 4 0 2 0 0 2 Karson Simas, SS 3 0 1 0 1 1 Ed Howard, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 2 Alex Madera, 3B 4 0 2 0 0 0 Totals 36 0 10 0 1 10 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brooks Caple (L, 3-3) 6 6 3 3 0 4 2 Erian Rodriguez 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 Evan Taylor 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 8 9 5 5 2 4 2 South Bend Leads Into The Seventh, Then Falls 6-4 To Wisconsin South Bend built a lead on five hits and six walks, then gave it back over the last three innings in a 6-4 loss to Wisconsin. Michael Carico drove in three of the four runs, going 1-for-3 with a walk. Matt Halbach was 1-for-3 with a walk and scored twice while also providing some flashy defense. . Logan Poteet was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a run. Michael Hallquist added a double and a walk, and Jose Escobar was 1-for-3 with a walk. Leadoff man Kane Kepley walked, scored a run, and went hitless in four at-bats. The second inning put South Bend in front. Halbach singled with one out, Poteet doubled him to third, and after a groundout, Carico singled to center to score both. The fourth was all walks. Halbach, Poteet, and Hallquist worked free passes to load the bases, and Carico walked to force in the third run. Kohl Franklin allowed five hits, one run, and one walk with one strikeout over 4 1/3 innings. Grayson Moore followed with 1 2/3 hitless innings and two strikeouts. Eli Jerzembeck could not hold the lead, giving up three hits, three walks, and two runs while recording two outs and taking a blown save. Ethan Bell allowed three hits and two runs over 1 1/3 innings and took the loss to fall to 3-2. Jose Romero allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over an inning. South Bend answered in the seventh on a wild pitch that scored Kepley, but left six on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley, CF 4 1 0 0 1 0 Josiah Hartshorn, RF 4 0 0 0 0 0 Jose Escobar, DH 3 0 1 0 1 1 Angel Cepeda, SS 4 0 0 0 0 2 Kade Snell, LF 4 0 0 0 0 1 Matt Halbach, 3B 3 2 1 0 1 0 Logan Poteet, C 3 1 1 0 1 2 Michael Hallquist, 2B 3 0 1 0 1 1 Michael Carico, 1B 3 0 1 3 1 0 Totals 31 4 5 3 6 7 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kohl Franklin 4 1/3 5 1 1 1 1 0 Grayson Moore 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Eli Jerzembeck (BS, 2) 2/3 3 2 2 3 0 0 Ethan Bell (L, 3-2) 1 1/3 3 2 2 0 1 0 Jose Romero 1 1 1 0 1 2 0 Totals 9 12 6 5 5 6 0 Myrtle Beach Strikes Out 17 Times, Loses 4-3 In 10 Innings Myrtle Beach took a lead into the bottom of the 10th and lost 4-3 at Hickory, striking out 17 times along the way. Alexey Lumpuy carried the offense from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored. Ethan Conrad was 1-for-5, Edward Vargas was 1-for-4 with a run, and Derik Alcantara was 1-for-4. Alexis Hernandez was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Eli Lovich drove in a run and struck out three times in four at-bats, and Fernando Cruz struck out four times. The Pelicans finished with six hits, four walks, and nine runners left on base. Lumpuy provided the only lead the Pelicans held for long, homering to right center in the third for a 2-1 edge. The 10th looked like it would hold up. Vargas started as the zombie runner at second, Lumpuy singled him to third, and Hernandez lifted a sacrifice fly to right for a 3-2 lead. Lovich and Derniche Valdez then struck out to end the inning. Noah Edders worked four innings on four hits, one run, and no walks with four strikeouts. Emilio Ramos followed with three innings, four hits, one run, one walk, and five strikeouts, with the run coming on a home run in the fifth. Edwardo Melendez took the loss and fell to 4-3, allowing two hits, two unearned runs, and one walk with three strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings. The tying run came home on a double, and the winning run scored on a groundout aided by a throwing error. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy, RF 4 2 2 1 1 1 Alexis Hernandez, SS 3 0 1 1 0 1 Ethan Conrad, CF 5 0 1 0 0 1 Eli Lovich, LF 4 0 0 1 0 3 Derniche Valdez, 3B 3 0 0 0 2 2 Derik Alcantara, DH 4 0 1 0 0 2 Fernando Cruz, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 4 Jose Silva, C 3 0 0 0 1 1 Edward Vargas, 1B 4 1 1 0 0 2 Totals 34 3 6 3 4 17 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders 4 4 1 1 0 4 0 Emilio Ramos 3 4 1 1 1 5 1 Edwardo Melendez (L, 4-3) 2 1/3 2 2 0 1 3 0 Totals 9 1/3 10 4 2 2 12 1 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-4 Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4 Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: 1-for-5, 1 K Kane Kepley: 0-for-4, BB, R Owen Ayers: 2-for-3 (Game One), DNP (Game Two) Jonathon Long: 0-for-2, BB, 1 K (Game One), 0-for-2, BB (Game Two) Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: DNP Brooks Caple: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 HR Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 0-for-4, RBI, 3 K Ariel Armas: 1-for-4 Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

South Bend rode Josiah Hartshorn's home run and Ethan Flanagan's five strong innings to a 4-2 win over Wisconsin, with Ethan Bell closing it out. Iowa fell 4-2 in a rain-shortened game as Jaxon Wiggins struggled early, though reliever Antoine Kelly struck out three. Brody McCullough was dominant for Knoxville, but Andy Garriola's three-run homer and Ethan Hearn's solo shot were not enough as the Smokies dropped a 5-4 walk-off. Myrtle Beach was postponed. Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Rain Shortens Iowa's Loss In Gwinnett The Iowa Cubs fell 4-2 to the Gwinnett Stripers in a game shortened to five innings by rain. Iowa scored single runs in the first and fifth innings, and Brett Bateman was the engine at the top of the order, going 2 for 2 with a double, a stolen base, and both of Iowa's runs scored. Behind him, the offense managed only one more hit, a run-scoring single from BJ Murray, who also stole a base. Outside of Bateman and Murray, the Iowa hitters were held without a hit, and the visitors could not sustain any pressure after the opening inning. Starter Jaxon Wiggins struggled through a short outing, charged with three runs on five hits and three walks over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two, and he took the loss. The damage came in the second inning, when Gwinnett pushed across all three of its early runs against him. Collin Snider entered to record the final out of the third inning, and Antoine Kelly followed with two steady innings of relief, allowing two hits and a single run while striking out three. Trailing 4-2 after the bottom of the fifth, Iowa never got the chance to answer, as the rain ended the game early. Bateman's pair of hits and Murray's run-scoring single accounted for the entirety of the Iowa offense against Gwinnett's pitching. Iowa Cubs, Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 2 2 0 0 0 Jonathon Long 2 0 0 0 1 1 BJ Murray 2 0 1 1 0 0 Owen Miller 2 0 0 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 2 0 0 0 0 2 Ben Cowles 2 0 0 0 0 1 Greg Jones 2 0 0 0 0 0 Casey Opitz 2 0 0 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 2 0 0 0 0 0 Iowa Cubs, Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jaxon Wiggins 2 2/3 5 3 3 3 2 0 Collin Snider 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Antoine Kelly 2 2 1 1 1 3 0 McCullough Shines But Smokies Fall In Walk-Off The Knoxville Smokies collected a dozen hits and got a brilliant start from Brody McCullough, but they could not push enough of those baserunners across and fell 5-4 to the Rocket City Trash Pandas on a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth. Knoxville managed just four runs on twelve hits, stranding runners all night. Andy Garriola carried the offense, going 2 for 4 with a three-run home run, a walk, and three runs batted in. Ethan Hearn added a solo home run as part of a 1-for-4 night. Jefferson Rojas and Miguel Useche each doubled and finished with two hits, Alex Madera chipped in a pair of hits and a stolen base, and Karson Simas reached twice and swiped a bag. The Smokies scored once in the fourth and three more times in the seventh, but they could not find the tying run late. McCullough was outstanding on the mound, working four and two-thirds innings of hitless ball with three strikeouts while allowing just one run. The bullpen could not hold it, however, as Frankie Scalzo Jr. surrendered three runs on four hits in the sixth to hand Rocket City the lead. Koen Moreno and Marino Santy combined for scoreless relief to keep Knoxville within striking distance, but Tyler Santana was tagged with the loss after the Trash Pandas pushed across the winning run with one out in the ninth. The Smokies' comeback bid came up one run short in a 5-4 defeat. Knoxville Smokies, Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramirez 4 1 1 0 1 2 Jefferson Rojas 5 1 2 0 0 0 Andy Garriola 4 1 2 3 1 0 Edgar Alvarez 4 0 1 0 1 3 Miguel Useche 5 0 2 0 0 2 Ethan Hearn 4 1 1 1 1 2 Karson Simas 4 0 1 0 1 2 Alex Madera 4 0 2 0 0 0 Drew Bowser 4 0 0 0 0 2 Knoxville Smokies, Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough 4 2/3 0 1 1 3 3 0 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 1 4 3 3 0 0 0 Koen Moreno 1 1/3 0 0 0 3 2 0 Marino Santy 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tyler Santana 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 Hartshorn's Homer Lifts South Bend Past Wisconsin The South Bend Cubs earned a 4-2 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, powered by a big night from Josiah Hartshorn. Hartshorn was the centerpiece of the offense, going 2 for 3 with a home run, a double, a walk, two runs batted in, and three runs scored from the second spot in the order. Jose Escobar chipped in a triple and an RBI as part of a 2-for-4 afternoon, and Angel Cepeda also collected two hits. Kade Snell doubled, walked, drove in a run, and stole a base. Leadoff man Kane Kepley reached base twice on a pair of walks, scored a run, and swiped a bag. South Bend finished with seven hits and stayed patient throughout, drawing walks to keep innings alive. Flanagan was in control on the mound, working five innings and allowing just one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four to earn the win, his lone blemish a solo home run. The bullpen finished the job in relief, as Ben Johnson tossed two scoreless innings, Luis Rujano gave up a run over an inning and a third, and Ethan Bell retired the final two batters for the save. With the win, South Bend backed a productive night at the plate with steady pitching, holding Wisconsin to two runs and closing out a 4-2 victory. South Bend Cubs, Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 1 0 0 2 0 Josiah Hartshorn 3 3 2 2 1 0 Jose Escobar 4 0 2 1 0 0 Angel Cepeda 4 0 2 0 0 0 Kade Snell 3 0 1 1 1 1 Matt Halbach 4 0 0 0 0 0 Logan Poteet 4 0 0 0 0 2 Michael Hallquist 2 0 0 0 1 1 Michael Carico 3 0 0 0 1 1 South Bend Cubs, Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ethan Flanagan 5 3 1 1 1 4 1 Ben Johnson 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 Luis Rujano 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 0 Ethan Bell 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Single-A: Myrtle Beach Postponed Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas (Double-A Knoxville): 2 for 5, 2B, R Pedro Ramirez: Did not play Jaxon Wiggins (Triple-A Iowa): Loss, 2 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K Josiah Hartshorn (High-A South Bend): 2 for 3, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB Kevin Alcantara: Did not play Ethan Conrad: Did not play Kane Kepley (High-A South Bend): 0 for 3, R, 2 BB, SB Owen Ayers (Triple-A Iowa): 0 for 2, 2 K Jonathon Long (Triple-A Iowa): 0 for 2, BB, K Kaleb Wing: Did not play James Triantos: Did not play Brooks Caple: Did not play Mason McGwire: Did not play Ty Southisene: Did not play Will Sanders: Did not play Juan Cabada: Did not play Eli Lovich: Did not play Ariel Armas: Did not play Jostin Florentino: Did not play Grant Kipp: Did not play View full article

Chicago Cubs farmhands dropped two of three Wednesday across the system. Iowa erased a five-run hole to tie Gwinnett before reliever Andrew Wantz surrendered two seventh-inning runs in a frustrating 7-5 loss. Knoxville's starter Dawson Netz struggled early, and a spirited four-run ninth fell just short at Rocket City, 6-5. South Bend rode Nazier Mule's six strikeouts, Brayden Spears' steady relief, and Jose Escobar's four hits to a 6-3 win over Wisconsin. Myrtle Beach was postponed. Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Triple-A: Iowa's Comeback Falls Short in 7-5 Loss at Gwinnett The Iowa Cubs nearly completed a stunning comeback in Gwinnett, but the bullpen could not protect a tie, and the Triple-A club fell 7-5. Starter Jace Beck endured a rough afternoon, allowing all five of the opponent's early runs on seven hits over three innings before the offense went to work. Trailing by five, Iowa erupted for four runs in the top of the sixth. Brett Bateman opened the frame with a double, Jonathon Long and BJ Murray drew walks to load the bases. Owen Ayers punched an RBI single to left. Chas McCormick and Ben Cowles each coaxed bases-loaded walks, and James Triantos reached on an error that plated another run, pulling the visitors within one. In the seventh, Long doubled and scored on a Murray sacrifice fly to knot the game at five. The rally went for naught. Andrew Wantz, who had been sharp with five strikeouts, surrendered two runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the loss. Corbin Martin and Ethan Roberts combined for two scoreless innings, but Iowa could not answer in the final frames. Ayers led the offense with two hits, including a double, while Long reached base twice, scored a pair of runs, and swiped a bag. Bateman, Owen Miller, and Cowles each doubled as the visitors collected five two-baggers in all. Iowa showed patience with five walks and battled back from a daunting deficit, yet stranded the tying run late and dropped a game it appeared poised to steal. Iowa Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 5 1 1 0 0 0 Jonathon Long 4 2 1 0 1 1 BJ Murray 1 1 0 1 2 0 Owen Miller 4 0 1 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 4 1 2 1 0 1 Chas McCormick 3 0 0 1 1 0 James Triantos 4 0 0 0 0 0 Ben Cowles 3 0 1 1 1 1 Hayden Cantrelle 4 0 0 0 0 1 Totals 32 5 6 4 5 4 Iowa Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jace Beck 3 7 5 5 2 3 1 Corbin Martin 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Andrew Wantz (L) 3 4 2 1 1 5 0 Ethan Roberts 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 Totals 8 12 7 6 4 10 1 Double-A: Knoxville's Ninth-Inning Rally Comes Up Short, 6-5 Knoxville battled to the final out but came up a run shy in Rocket City, dropping a 6-5 decision. The Smokies struck first in the top of the fifth when Karson Simas doubled and came home on an RBI single from Alex Ramirez. The lead was brief. Starter Dawson Netz, who fanned five, unraveled in the bottom of the inning, walking two and surrendering three runs despite allowing just one hit. The hosts tacked on two more in the sixth and another in the seventh to build a 6-1 cushion, and Tyler Schlaffer and Luke Little could not stem the tide. Little served up a home run that provided important insurance. Down five entering the ninth, Knoxville refused to go quietly. Ariel Armas singled and Miguel Useche reached on an error to open the frame. Ed Howard followed with a single, and Simas drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run. Ramirez then reached on another error, plating a second, before Jefferson Rojas and Andy Garriola delivered back-to-back sacrifice flies to make it a one-run game. The comeback stalled there, as the final out stranded the tying run. Simas paced the offense with two hits, two runs, and a stolen base, while Garriola reached base four times on two hits and two walks. Armas and Howard each chipped in a hit and a run. The Smokies drew five walks and mounted a furious four-run ninth, but 11 strikeouts and a quiet middle of the game proved too much to overcome. Knoxville Smokies Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramirez 4 0 1 2 1 1 Jefferson Rojas 4 0 0 1 0 2 Andy Garriola 2 0 2 1 2 0 Edgar Alvarez 5 0 0 0 0 3 Carter Trice 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ariel Armas 3 1 1 0 1 0 Miguel Useche 4 1 0 0 0 3 Ed Howard 4 1 1 0 0 1 Karson Simas 3 2 2 1 1 0 Totals 33 5 7 5 5 11 Knoxville Smokies Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz (L) 4 2/3 1 3 3 2 5 0 Tyler Schlaffer 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 Luke Little 1 1/3 2 2 2 1 0 1 Totals 8 4 6 6 4 6 1 High-A: Escobar's Four Hits Power South Bend Past Wisconsin, 6-3 South Bend authored the system's lone victory, riding a balanced pitching effort and a career night from Jose Escobar to a 6-3 win over Wisconsin. Escobar went 4-for-4 with three runs batted in, single-handedly matching Wisonsin's output. The Cubs fell behind 2-0 in the third but answered immediately. Escobar and Angel Cepeda drew walks, an error loaded the bases, and Kade Snell laced an RBI single before Michael Hallquist lifted a sacrifice fly to even the score. South Bend surged ahead in the fourth when Justin Stransky and Kane Kepley set the table and Escobar ripped a two-run single to make it 4-2. Starter Nazier Mule set the tone on the mound, striking out six over four innings while allowing just two runs, including some solid defense from the mound. Jose Romero tossed a scoreless fifth, and Brayden Spears earned the win with three innings of one-run ball, yielding only a lone tally in the sixth. Grayson Moore slammed the door with a scoreless ninth, punching out two to record the save. The SB Cubs added breathing room in the eighth, when Escobar doubled home a run and Cepeda followed with an RBI single. Stransky reached base three times atop the order, Cepeda worked two walks and drove in a run, and the lineup drew eight free passes to keep the pressure on. It was a tidy, complementary performance, with the staff scattering six hits and the offense capitalizing on Wisconsin's mistakes to close out a comfortable win. South Bend Cubs Hitting Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 1 0 0 2 2 Josiah Hartshorn 4 1 0 0 1 1 Jose Escobar 4 2 4 3 1 0 Angel Cepeda 3 1 1 1 2 0 Matt Halbach 4 0 0 0 1 1 Kade Snell 4 0 1 1 0 1 Michael Hallquist 3 0 1 1 0 0 Michael Carico 4 0 0 0 0 2 Justin Stransky 3 1 2 0 1 0 Totals 32 6 9 6 8 7 South Bend Cubs Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mule 4 4 2 2 1 6 0 Jose Romero 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 Brayden Spears (W) 3 2 1 1 2 1 0 Grayson Moore (S) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Totals 9 6 3 3 5 9 0 Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Postponed Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4, R, BB, K Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K Owen Ayers: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, K Jonathon Long: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, SB, K Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: 0-for-4 Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: DNP Ariel Armas: 1-for-3, R, BB Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article