Travis Klosinski

Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs designated LHP Luis Peralta for assignment. Chicago Cubs sent LHP Matthew Boyd on a rehab assignment to South Bend Cubs. Houston Astros traded RHP Jayden Murray to Chicago Cubs for 1B Cameron Sisneros. Late Indianapolis Rallies Sink Iowa In 7-4 Loss The Iowa Cubs battled back to tie the game before the Indianapolis Indians pulled away late in a 7-4 home loss. Ty Blach turned in the longest outing, working five innings and allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and one strikeout. Iowa drew even in the sixth inning, when Ben Cowles scored on a Brett Bateman groundout and Moisés Ballesteros came home on a bases-loaded walk to Owen Miller. Iowa then took the lead in the seventh, when Bateman doubled to right field to score James Triantos and Cowles. The advantage did not hold. Doug Nikhazy struggled in relief, allowing four runs on five hits with two walks, three strikeouts, and two home runs across 2 2/3 innings, taking the loss. Indianapolis erupted for three runs in the ninth inning, capped by a two-homer sequence and an Enmanuel Valdez double, to break the game open. Bateman led the offense with three RBI, and Ballesteros added two hits. Triantos doubled and scored a run, while Cowles reached three times and scored twice. Iowa left six runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 5 0 1 3 0 1 Moisés Ballesteros 4 1 2 0 0 2 BJ Murray 4 0 2 0 0 1 Owen Miller 2 0 0 0 1 0 Chas McCormick 3 0 0 0 1 0 Jonathon Long 4 0 1 0 0 2 James Triantos 4 1 1 0 0 1 Casey Opitz 4 0 0 0 0 2 Ben Cowles 3 2 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ty Blach 5 6 3 3 1 1 1 Antoine Kelly 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 Doug Nikhazy 2 2/3 5 4 4 2 3 2 Tyler Ferguson 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kipp And Cantrelle Lift Knoxville Past Chattanooga The Knoxville Smokies edged the Chattanooga Lookouts 3-1 at home, getting a strong start and a timely late hit. Grant Kipp set the tone over four scoreless innings, allowing no hits, walking none, and striking out two. Knoxville built its early lead in the first inning. Jefferson Rojas singled and Owen Ayers walked ahead of an Alex Ramírez double that scored Rojas, and Andy Garriola followed with a groundout that brought home Ayers for a 2-0 edge. The score held until the eighth inning, when both clubs traded runs. After Chattanooga answered with a solo home run in the top half, Knoxville responded in the bottom of the inning, as Hayden Cantrelle singled to right field to score Edgar Alvarez and restore the two-run cushion. Tyler Santana closed it out over the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out one to pick up the win. Rojas led the offense with two hits, a run, a walk, and a stolen base. Ramírez, Garriola, and Cantrelle each drove in a run. Knoxville stranded eleven runners on base but did enough early to hold on. Player AB R H RBI BB K Karson Simas 3 0 0 0 2 1 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 2 0 1 0 Owen Ayers 2 1 0 0 2 1 Alex Ramírez 4 0 1 1 0 0 Andy Garriola 4 0 0 1 0 3 Edgar Alvarez 3 1 1 0 1 2 Carter Trice 4 0 1 0 0 1 Ariel Armas 3 0 1 0 1 0 Hayden Cantrelle 4 0 1 1 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 Tyler Santana 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 Marino Santy 2 1 1 1 0 3 1 Evan Taylor 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eighth-Inning Rally Doomed South Bend In 3-2 Loss The South Bend Cubs carried a lead into the late innings before the Fort Wayne TinCaps rallied for a 3-2 home win. Matthew Boyd was excellent on a rehab assignment, throwing four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out seven. South Bend grabbed the lead in the sixth inning. Kane Kepley singled and scored on a Ty Southisene triple, and Southisene then came home on a sacrifice fly by Josiah Hartshorn for a 2-0 edge. The bullpen could not hold it. Alfredo Romero entered and surrendered three runs on four hits with one walk in one inning, taking the loss and blowing the save. Fort Wayne struck for all three runs in the eighth inning, when a Kasen Wells single scored two and a Lamar King Jr. single drove in the go-ahead run. Nazier Mulé was sharp in his three innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Kepley led the way with three hits and a double. Southisene tripled and drove in a run, and Hartshorn added a hit, a triple, and an RBI. South Bend left four runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 1 3 0 0 0 Ty Southisene 4 1 1 1 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn 2 0 1 1 1 1 Matt Halbach 4 0 0 0 0 1 Angel Cepeda 3 0 0 0 1 1 Jose Escobar 4 0 0 0 0 0 Justin Stransky 3 0 0 0 0 0 Alex Madera 1 0 0 0 2 0 Christian Olivo 3 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Matthew Boyd 4 2 0 0 0 7 0 Nazier Mulé 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 Alfredo Romero 1 4 3 3 1 1 0 Delmarva Jumps Early To Bury Myrtle Beach 8-1 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell behind early and never recovered in an 8-1 road loss to the Delmarva Shorebirds. Pierce Coppola took the loss after a difficult start, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts over three innings. Delmarva jumped on Coppola in the first inning, scoring three runs on a two-run triple and a run that came home on a wild pitch. The Shorebirds tacked on another in the second inning. Edwardo Melendez steadied things with two scoreless relief innings, allowing one hit while striking out three. Myrtle Beach got on the board in the sixth inning, when Logan Poteet homered to left field. Henry Cone then ran into trouble over his three innings, surrendering four runs, three earned, on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts, as Delmarva pulled away with late runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Poteet led the offense with two hits, a home run, an RBI, and a run scored. Alexis Hernandez and Derniche Valdez each added two hits. Myrtle Beach stranded ten runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 4 0 2 0 1 0 Eli Lovich 5 0 0 0 0 2 Logan Poteet 4 1 2 1 0 1 Michael Carico 2 0 0 0 2 2 Derniche Valdez 4 0 2 0 0 0 Jairo Diaz 4 0 1 0 0 1 Geuri Lubo 4 0 0 0 0 0 Ezequiel Pena 4 0 0 0 0 1 Darlyn De Leon 3 0 1 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Pierce Coppola 3 4 4 4 3 4 0 Edwardo Melendez 2 1 0 0 2 3 0 Henry Cone 3 4 4 3 2 6 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 2-for-4, R, BB, SB Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-2, 3B, RBI, BB, K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 3-for-4, 2B, R Jonathon Long: 1-for-4, 2 K James Triantos: 1-for-4, 2B, R, K Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, SB, K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: 0-for-3, BB, K Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-4, 3B, RBI, K Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Jefferson RojasJaxon WigginsKevin AlcantaraJosiah HartshornPedro RamirezKane KepleyEthan ConradCole MathisJonathon LongJames TriantosOwen AyersKaleb WingBrooks CapleMason McGwireAriel ArmasTy SouthiseneEli LovichWill SandersBrett BatemanGrant Kipp

Jefferson RojasJaxon WigginsKevin AlcantaraJosiah HartshornPedro RamirezKane KepleyEthan ConradCole MathisJonathon LongJames TriantosOwen AyersKaleb WingBrooks CapleMason McGwireAriel ArmasTy SouthiseneEli LovichWill SandersBrett BatemanGrant Kipp

Let's check in on everything that happened down on the Chicago Cubs' farm yesterday. Iowa's Late Power Surge Falls Short in 11-8 Loss to Indianapolis Iowa hit four home runs but could not overcome a rough middle stretch, falling to the Indianapolis Indians 11-8. Will Sanders set the tone early, working five innings and allowing one run on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts, earning him the Player of The Game. Jonathon Long gave Iowa a brief 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the second, and he finished 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, and two runs scored. The game turned in the sixth, when Indianapolis pushed across seven runs to open an 8-1 lead. Iowa answered in the bottom half with three home runs of its own. Chas McCormick hit a two-run shot that scored BJ Murray, Christian Bethancourt followed with a two-run home run that brought home Long, and Casey Opitz capped the rally with a solo home run to pull Iowa within 8-7. Indianapolis pulled away again with runs in the seventh and eighth, and Iowa's ninth-inning sacrifice fly from James Triantos, scoring Owen Miller, was not enough. McCormick and Bethancourt each drove in two runs, and Iowa left nine runners on base. The bullpen could not hold the deficit, as Yosver Zulueta and Christian Roa combined to allow nine runs across the middle innings. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 0 1 0 2 0 Owen Miller 5 1 1 0 0 0 BJ Murray 4 1 2 0 1 1 Chas McCormick 4 1 1 2 1 1 James Triantos 4 0 1 1 0 0 Jonathon Long 5 2 3 1 0 1 Ben Cowles 4 0 1 0 0 1 Christian Bethancourt 4 2 2 2 0 0 Casey Opitz 4 1 1 1 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Will Sanders 5 3 1 1 1 6 1 Yosver Zulueta 0 2/3 3 5 5 2 1 1 Christian Roa 1 6 4 4 1 1 1 Collin Snider 1 1/3 2 1 1 2 2 0 Corbin Martin 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Three Straight Homers Lift Knoxville Over Chattanooga 4-1 Knoxville rode a single explosive inning and a strong start from Dawson Netz to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts 4-1. Netz worked five innings, allowing one run on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Erian Rodriguez and Marino Santy combined for four scoreless relief innings to close it out, with Santy earning the save. The fourth inning decided the game. With the score tied 1-1, Jefferson Rojas, Owen Ayers, and Andy Garriola hit consecutive home runs to give Knoxville a 3-1 lead. Rojas added an insurance run in the seventh, drawing a bases-loaded walk that scored Edgar Alvarez. Rojas finished with two runs batted in, and Ayers and Garriola each drove in one. Knoxville managed just three hits but made them count, all leaving the yard, and stranded five runners on the night. Player AB R H RBI BB K Karson Simas 3 0 0 0 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 3 1 1 2 1 1 Owen Ayers 4 1 1 1 0 1 Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Andy Garriola 4 1 1 1 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 2 1 0 0 2 0 Carter Trice 2 0 0 0 1 0 Ariel Armas 3 0 0 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 1 0 0 0 2 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz 5 6 1 1 3 7 1 Erian Rodriguez 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 Marino Santy 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 Halbach Homers but South Bend Drops Both Ends at Fort Wayne South Bend dropped the opener to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 4-3 despite solid pitching across the staff. Mason McGwire opened with three innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Cole Reynolds followed with four innings, giving up one run on one hit with two walks and three strikeouts. South Bend's lone offensive push came in the sixth. Trailing, the team got a two-run single from Justin Stransky on a soft fly to left, scoring Jose Escobar and Miguel Useche to make it a one-run game. Stransky drove in both of South Bend's runs on the play and finished with two runs batted in. The offense managed just three hits, drew eight walks, and left nine runners on base, unable to find the tying run. Adam Stone struggled in a brief relief outing, recording one out while allowing two runs to score and taking the loss. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 0 0 0 0 0 Ty Southisene 3 0 1 0 1 1 Josiah Hartshorn 4 1 0 0 0 1 Matt Halbach 3 0 1 0 1 2 Jose Escobar 3 1 0 0 0 1 Miguel Useche 2 1 0 0 2 0 Justin Stransky 2 0 1 2 2 0 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 1 2 Christian Olivo 3 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Mason McGwire 3 2 1 1 3 3 0 Cole Reynolds 4 1 1 1 2 3 1 Adam Stone 0 1/3 3 2 0 1 0 0 In the nightcap, South Bend fell 5-2 despite a strong outing from Jostin Florentino, who worked four innings and allowed one run on one hit with two walks and six strikeouts. The game stayed close until the bottom of the sixth, when Brayden Spears ran into trouble and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks across two innings, taking the loss. South Bend built an early lead with single runs in the third and fourth. In the third, Kane Kepley singled, moved into scoring position, and came around to tie the game at 1-1. Matt Halbach put South Bend ahead in the fourth with a solo home run to left center, making it 2-1. The offense went quiet after that, managing just three hits, and Fort Wayne answered with a four-run sixth to pull away. Kepley reached base twice and stole two bases, while Miguel Useche added a double. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 1 1 0 1 0 Ty Southisene 1 0 0 0 2 0 Josiah Hartshorn 3 0 0 0 0 1 Matt Halbach 3 1 1 1 0 1 Angel Cepeda 2 0 0 0 1 0 Miguel Useche 3 0 1 0 0 0 Jose Escobar 3 0 0 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 3 0 0 0 0 2 Christian Olivo 3 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jostin Florentino 4 1 1 1 2 6 1 Brayden Spears 2 3 4 4 2 2 0 Myrtle Beach Erupts for Eight Homers in 21-10 Rout of Delmarva Myrtle Beach overcame an early five-run deficit and exploded for a 21-10 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds. The pitching was uneven early, as Hayden Frank issued five walks across three innings while allowing five runs, three earned, on three hits with three strikeouts. The bullpen settled things down, with Yoendris Gonzalez tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings and earning the win, and Jordan Henriquez adding a scoreless frame with two strikeouts. The offense did the heavy lifting in two enormous innings. Trailing 5-0, Myrtle Beach scored four in the fifth, highlighted by an Alexis Hernandez run-scoring double and a Michael Carico sacrifice fly. The eighth inning blew the game open with an 11-run outburst. Derniche Valdez, Henniel Alcala, Alexey Lumpuy, Michael Carico, and Geuri Lubo all homered in the frame. Alcala, Carico, and Lubo each delivering multi-run shots. Carico drove in four runs on the day, while Valdez, Lubo, Alcala, and Darlyn De Leon each knocked in three. Yahil Melendez reached base in all four trips and scored four times. Myrtle Beach pounded out 17 hits and left 11 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 6 2 2 2 1 0 Alexis Hernandez 4 1 2 1 3 0 Eli Lovich 5 1 0 0 1 3 Ezequiel Pena 1 0 0 0 0 1 Michael Carico 3 2 1 4 3 0 Derniche Valdez 6 3 2 2 1 1 Yahil Melendez 4 4 3 1 0 0 Geuri Lubo 4 3 1 3 2 0 Henniel Alcala 5 2 3 3 1 2 Darlyn De Leon 5 3 3 3 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Hayden Frank 3 3 5 3 5 3 0 Emilio Ramos 2 1/3 4 5 5 2 0 0 Yoendris Gonzalez 2 2/3 1 0 0 1 2 0 Jordan Henriquez 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-7, 2 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-7, BB, 2 SB Jonathon Long: 3-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI, K James Triantos: 1-for-4, RBI Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: 0-for-2, BB Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR Ty Southisene: 1-for-4, 3 BB, K, SB Will Sanders: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Let's check in on everything that happened down on the Chicago Cubs' farm system last night. Cowles Grand Slam, Triantos Walk-Off Lift Iowa The Iowa Cubs erased an early deficit and won it in the 10th, beating the Indianapolis Indians 6-5. The decisive blow came in the fourth inning. After Indianapolis scratched out a run in the top half, Chas McCormick singled home Kevin Alcántara to tie the game. Two batters later, Ben Cowles launched a grand slam to right field, scoring Jonathon Long, McCormick, and Eric Yang to put Iowa ahead 5-1. Cowles finished 2-for-3 with four runs batted in, and McCormick added a hit, a walk, and an RBI. Indianapolis chipped away with two runs in the sixth and one in the eighth to tie the game at five, sending it to extras. In the bottom of the 10th, James Triantos singled to right field to score zombie runner BJ Murray for the walk-off win. Triantos went 2-for-4 with the game-winning RBI. Starter Paul Campbell turned in a steady outing, working 5 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Vince Reilly closed the door with a scoreless 10th, walking one and striking out one to earn the result. Iowa left nine runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 4 0 1 0 1 1 Owen Miller 5 0 1 0 0 0 BJ Murray 4 1 0 0 1 1 Kevin Alcántara 5 1 1 0 0 2 James Triantos 4 0 2 1 0 0 Jonathon Long 4 1 1 0 0 1 Justin Dean 0 0 0 0 0 0 Christian Bethancourt 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chas McCormick 3 1 1 1 1 1 Eric Yang 3 1 0 0 1 2 Ben Cowles 3 1 2 4 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Paul Campbell 5 2/3 8 4 4 2 3 0 Antoine Kelly 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 Tyler Ferguson two 3 1 0 1 0 0 Vince Reilly one 0 0 0 1 1 0 Knoxville Bats Go Quiet In Loss To Chattanooga The Knoxville Smokies managed just five hits in a 5-2 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts. Chattanooga jumped ahead with a three-run homer in the second inning. Knoxville answered in the third. Jefferson Rojas singled to left field to score Hayden Cantrelle, and Andy Garriola followed by grounding into a double play that allowed Alex Ramírez to score, trimming the deficit to 3-2. That was as close as the Smokies would get. Chattanooga added a run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth and another on a bases-loaded walk in the ninth. Rojas finished 1-for-4 with an RBI, and Hayden Cantrelle reached base three times, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Starter Frankie Scalzo Jr. struggled, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while recording four outs, surrendering the second-inning home run. The bullpen was strong behind him. Nick Dean worked 3 2/3 innings and allowed one run, and Tyler Santana was dominant, striking out five over three scoreless innings without allowing a hit. Luke Little finished with two strikeouts but gave up a run in the ninth. Knoxville left 10 runners on base, repeatedly failing to cash in scoring opportunities. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 3 1 0 0 1 2 Jefferson Rojas 4 0 1 1 0 1 Owen Ayers 4 0 1 0 0 2 Andy Garriola 3 0 0 0 0 0 Cameron Sisneros 4 0 0 0 0 2 Carter Trice 4 0 0 0 0 1 Karson Simas 3 0 1 0 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 3 0 0 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 2 1 2 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Frankie Scalzo Jr. 1 1/3 2 3 3 2 1 1 Nick Dean 3 2/3 5 1 1 0 2 0 Tyler Santana three 2 0 0 0 5 0 Luke Little one 2 1 1 2 2 0 High-A South Bend Cubs: Postponed South Bend's game was postponed. They'll close the first half with a doubleheader against Fort Wayne. Myrtle Beach Builds Early Lead, Survives Late Charge The Myrtle Beach Pelicans scored seven runs in the first three innings and held on for an 8-6 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds. The decisive frame was the second inning, when the Pelicans batted around for five runs. Geuri Lubo and Alexey Lumpuy delivered run-scoring singles, Alexis Hernandez doubled home another and advanced on an error, and Eli Lovich singled in a run to make it 5-0. Myrtle Beach tacked on two more in the third when Edward Vargas singled home a pair. The lead was needed, as Delmarva rallied for three runs in the seventh and two more in the ninth. Lumpuy reached base four times, going 1-for-2 with three walks, three stolen bases, and an RBI. Vargas finished 1-for-3 with two runs batted in. Starter Noah Edders worked two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Riely Hunsaker followed with a strong four-inning stint, allowing one run on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Aiden Moffett struggled in relief, recording one out while walking four and allowing three runs. Jhon Rosario closed it out, allowing two runs over 2 2/3 innings but securing the final outs. Myrtle Beach left seven runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 2 2 1 1 3 1 Alexis Hernandez 4 1 1 1 1 1 Eli Lovich 5 0 1 1 0 3 Logan Poteet 5 0 0 0 0 3 Michael Carico 5 2 2 0 0 1 Derniche Valdez 5 1 1 0 0 0 Yahil Melendez 3 0 0 0 1 2 Geuri Lubo 4 1 1 1 0 1 Edward Vargas 3 1 1 2 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders two 1 0 0 0 2 0 Riely Hunsaker four 4 1 1 2 2 0 Aiden Moffett 1/3 0 3 3 4 0 0 Jhon Rosario 2 2/3 2 2 2 0 1 0 Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs sent LHP Doug Nikhazy outright to Iowa Cubs. Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-4, RBI, K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcántara: 1-for-5, R, 2 K Josiah Hartshorn: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: DNP Jonathon Long: 1-for-4, R, K James Triantos: 2-for-4, RBI Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 1-for-4, 2 K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Let's review all that happened down on the Chicago Cubs' farm system on Saturday (June 13). Alcántara Drives In Two But Iowa Falls Late In Louisville Iowa scratched across three runs in the sixth inning but could not hold on, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Louisville Bats. With one out in the sixth, Owen Miller singled home a run, and Kevin Alcántara followed with a two-run double to put the Cubs ahead 3-0. Alcántara finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs batted in, and Jonathon Long added two hits including a double. Louisville answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth, then took the lead in the seventh on a run-scoring double and an RBI single. Vince Velasquez allowed two runs on three hits over four innings, walking two and striking out five. Ty Blach opened with two scoreless, hitless innings and two strikeouts. Luis Peralta surrendered two runs in the seventh to take the loss, and Christian Roa struck out three in a scoreless eighth. Iowa left seven runners on base. For the folks interested in defense here's a nice grab by Alcántara to go along with the bat. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 1 1 0 2 2 Jonathon Long 4 1 2 0 0 1 Scott Kingery 0 0 0 0 0 0 BJ Murray 2 0 0 0 2 1 Owen Miller 4 1 1 1 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 4 0 2 2 0 2 James Triantos 4 0 0 0 0 1 Chas McCormick 4 0 1 0 0 3 Justin Dean 0 0 0 0 0 0 Christian Bethancourt 3 0 0 0 0 0 Ben Cowles 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ty Blach 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 Vince Velasquez 4 3 2 2 2 5 1 Luis Peralta 1 3 2 2 1 2 0 Christian Roa 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 Rojas Homers As Knoxville Erupts For 12 In Montgomery Knoxville scored in double digits to beat the Montgomery Biscuits 12-5. Trailing 3-0, the Smokies seized the lead with a six-run third inning. Jefferson Rojas got it started with a two-run homer, Alex Ramírez doubled in a run, and a string of hits and a Cameron Sisneros sacrifice fly capped the rally. Rojas finished 3-for-5 with three runs batted in, Ramírez went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs batted in, and Hayden Cantrelle added three hits. Owen Ayers reached three times and scored twice. Knoxville pulled away with a five-run ninth. Frankie Scalzo Jr. provided the key relief work, allowing no runs on three hits over three innings with one strikeout. Jackson Kirkpatrick followed with two hitless, scoreless innings and six strikeouts. Starter Tyler Schlaffer was charged with three runs on four hits across two innings, walking two and striking out three. Knoxville left seven runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Karson Simas 6 1 2 0 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 5 2 3 3 0 0 Owen Ayers 4 2 2 0 1 0 Andy Garriola 4 2 1 1 1 2 Carter Trice 4 1 2 1 1 1 Alex Ramírez 5 2 3 2 0 1 Cameron Sisneros 3 0 2 2 0 0 Ed Howard 0 0 0 0 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 0 1 0 0 1 0 Ariel Armas 5 0 1 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 5 1 3 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Tyler Schlaffer 2 4 3 3 2 3 0 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 Jackson Kirkpatrick 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 Vince Reilly 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 Three First-Inning Homers Lift South Bend To First-Half Crown South Bend hit three home runs in the opening inning and held on to beat the Peoria Chiefs 6-4, clinching the first-half Midwest League Western Division title. It is the Cubs' first postseason berth since 2022, and their first first-half division title since 2016. With one out in the first, Josiah Hartshorn launched a two-run homer, Jose Escobar followed with a two-run shot, and Justin Stransky added a solo blast to make it 5-0 before the inning was over. Escobar finished 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three runs batted in, while Hartshorn drove in two. South Bend tacked on a run in the fifth when Escobar singled home Matt Halbach. Koen Moreno allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, striking out three without a walk. Jackson Brockett followed with four innings, surrendering two runs on three hits and striking out five. South Bend left eight runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 0 0 0 0 0 Ty Southisene 3 1 1 0 1 1 Josiah Hartshorn 4 1 1 2 0 1 Matt Halbach 3 1 2 0 1 0 Miguel Useche 3 1 1 0 1 1 Jose Escobar 3 1 3 3 1 0 Justin Stransky 3 1 1 1 1 1 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 1 0 Christian Olivo 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Koen Moreno 5 5 2 2 0 3 2 Jackson Brockett 4 3 2 2 0 5 0 Myrtle Beach Bullpen Shines In Loss To Augusta Myrtle Beach received strong relief pitching but fell 4-3 to the Augusta GreenJackets. The Pelicans trailed 3-1 after Augusta pushed across two runs in the third inning on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. Alexey Lumpuy cut the deficit with a solo home run in the fifth, his first hit in a 2-for-5 day, and Michael Carico doubled home a run in the eighth to make it 4-3, but Myrtle Beach could not complete the comeback. Kaleb Wing struggled in the start, charged with three runs, all earned, on one hit over 2 1/3 innings while walking four and striking out three. The bullpen was excellent behind him. Yoendris Gonzalez struck out five over 2 2/3 scoreless innings, Jhon Rosario allowed one run across 2 2/3 innings, and Sam Mettert struck out three in 1 1/3 scoreless frames. Myrtle Beach left eight runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 5 1 2 1 0 3 Alexis Hernandez 4 1 2 0 1 2 Eli Lovich 3 1 0 0 1 2 Logan Poteet 3 0 1 1 1 1 Michael Carico 3 0 1 1 1 1 Edward Vargas 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yahil Melendez 4 0 0 0 0 2 Darlyn De Leon 3 0 0 0 1 0 Henniel Alcala 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ezequiel Pena 3 0 0 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kaleb Wing 2 1/3 1 3 3 4 3 0 Yoendris Gonzalez 2 2/3 0 0 0 0 5 0 Jhon Rosario 2 2/3 2 1 1 2 2 0 Sam Mettert 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 3 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-3 Jonathon Long: 2-for-4, 2B, K James Triantos: 0-for-4, K Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 2-for-4, 2B, BB Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: 2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-3, BB, K Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Falls Flat In Louisville Rout The Iowa Cubs were overwhelmed by the Louisville Bats in a 20-3 loss. Iowa managed 10 hits but stranded 11 runners and could not keep pace. Scott Kingery provided the lone power, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Justin Dean added two hits from the leadoff spot, and Kevin Alcántara doubled and drove in a run. Starter Connor Noland took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over four innings without recording a strikeout. The game broke open late, as Louisville plated four in the fifth and erupted for 11 runs in the eighth. Zac Leigh struggled most, surrendering eight runs in two-thirds of an inning, and catcher Casey Opitz was pressed into mound duty and gave up three runs in the ninth. Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean 5 0 2 0 0 0 Jonathon Long 5 0 1 0 0 2 BJ Murray 3 1 2 0 2 1 Owen Miller 4 0 0 0 1 2 Kevin Alcántara 5 0 2 1 0 2 James Triantos 2 0 0 0 1 1 Chas McCormick 4 0 0 0 0 1 Christian Bethancourt 4 1 1 0 0 1 Scott Kingery 4 1 2 2 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Noland 4 6 4 4 0 0 1 Collin Snider 1 3 4 4 1 2 1 Antoine Kelly 1 1/3 4 1 1 0 1 1 Zac Leigh 2/3 4 8 8 4 1 0 Casey Opitz 1 4 3 3 0 0 1 Smokies Erupt Late To Bury Montgomery The Knoxville Smokies broke a tie game open with a five-run sixth and a five-run seventh to beat the Montgomery Biscuits, 14-5. Jefferson Rojas led the offense, going 3-for-5 with three RBI, and Owen Ayers added three hits. Hayden Cantrelle was a catalyst at the bottom of the order, reaching base four times and driving in three runs, while Carter Trice doubled twice and knocked in two. The sixth inning turned a 3-3 game into an 8-4 lead. Cantrelle grounded out to bring home a run, Rojas singled to score two, and Trice doubled in two more. Knoxville kept pouring it on in the seventh, when Cantrelle singled home two runs and Rojas followed with a two-run single. Tyler Ras was excellent out of the bullpen, allowing no runs and three hits over 3 2/3 innings with one walk and four strikeouts to pick up the win. Evan Taylor closed it out with three strikeouts over the final two innings. Player AB R H RBI BB K Karson Simas 4 3 2 0 2 1 Jefferson Rojas 5 1 3 3 0 0 Owen Ayers 4 1 3 1 1 0 Carter Trice 6 0 2 2 0 1 Alex Ramírez 5 1 1 1 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 4 2 1 0 1 2 Ariel Armas 4 2 1 0 0 0 Cameron Sisneros 4 2 1 1 1 0 Hayden Cantrelle 3 2 2 3 2 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz 3 1/3 4 4 4 4 3 2 Tyler Ras 3 2/3 3 0 0 1 4 0 Evan Taylor 2 2 1 1 1 3 0 South Bend Bats Can't Keep Up With Peoria The South Bend Cubs slugged two home runs but could not overcome a relentless Peoria Chiefs attack in a 16-7 defeat. Josiah Hartshorn led the way, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI, and Drew Bowser matched him with a homer, a double, and three RBI of his own. Miguel Useche added two hits. South Bend answered an early four-run deficit with a three-run second, capped by Bowser's three-run homer. Hartshorn's two-run shot in the fifth pulled the Cubs within striking distance, but the bullpen could not hold the line. Starter Cole Reynolds took the loss after allowing eight runs on five hits over three innings, walking three and striking out one. Ben Johnson surrendered four runs across two innings, while Grayson Moore provided 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 0 1 0 0 1 Ty Southisene 3 2 1 0 1 1 Josiah Hartshorn 3 2 2 3 0 0 Matt Halbach 3 0 0 0 0 1 Miguel Useche 3 1 2 1 0 0 Jose Escobar 2 1 1 0 1 0 Drew Bowser 3 1 2 3 0 1 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 0 1 Christian Olivo 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Cole Reynolds 3 5 8 8 3 1 1 Ben Johnson 2 5 4 4 1 2 2 JP Wheat 2/3 3 4 4 1 0 0 Grayson Moore 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 1 0 Pelicans Surge Past Augusta In Middle Innings The Myrtle Beach Pelicans rallied from an early deficit, scoring five runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to defeat the Augusta GreenJackets, 11-7. Michael Carico paced the attack, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI, while Logan Poteet drove in three. Derniche Valdez homered, and Darlyn De Leon swiped four bases. The fifth inning erased a four-run hole, as Poteet doubled home two runs, Carico followed with a two-run homer, and Valdez added a solo shot to push the Pelicans ahead. They tacked on four in the sixth, highlighted by Poteet's bases-loaded walk and Carico's two-run single. Noah Edders struck out eight over four innings but allowed four runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk. Henry Cone earned the win with three innings of one-run ball, walking three and striking out three. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 3 2 1 0 2 0 Eli Lovich 4 1 0 0 1 1 Logan Poteet 4 1 1 3 1 1 Michael Carico 5 2 3 4 0 1 Derniche Valdez 4 1 2 1 0 1 Yahil Melendez 3 1 1 1 1 1 Geuri Lubo 4 0 1 1 0 0 Edward Vargas 4 1 2 0 0 0 Darlyn De Leon 4 2 2 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders 4 4 4 1 1 8 1 Henry Cone 3 3 1 1 3 3 0 Jordan Henriquez 2 2 2 2 1 4 1 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 3-for-5, 3 RBI Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 K Josiah Hartshorn: 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, K Jonathon Long: 1-for-5, 2 K James Triantos: 0-for-2, BB, K Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 3-for-4, RBI, BB Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-3, BB, SB, K Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Cowles And Dean Drive Early, But Louisville Buries Iowa The Iowa Cubs jumped ahead early but were overwhelmed in a 20-5 loss to the Louisville Bats. Iowa built a lead in the second inning when Ben Cowles doubled home Kevin Alcántara, and Justin Dean followed with a single that scored Cowles to make it 3-1. The cushion did not last. Starter Jordan Wicks struggled through three innings, allowing eight runs, four earned, on eight hits and three walks while striking out one. The Bats kept pouring it on against the Iowa bullpen, with Luke Little surrendering five runs while recording just two outs. Offensively, Alcántara, James Triantos, Cowles, and Dean each collected two hits, and Cowles and Dean drove in two runs apiece. Iowa left six runners on base and could not keep pace once Louisville seized the lead in the fourth. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 4 0 1 0 1 1 Owen Miller 5 0 0 0 0 0 BJ Murray 3 0 0 0 0 1 Casey Opitz 1 0 0 0 0 0 Jonathon Long 4 0 0 0 0 0 Kevin Alcántara 4 2 2 0 0 1 James Triantos 4 1 2 0 0 2 Ben Cowles 2 2 2 2 1 0 Eric Yang 2 0 0 1 0 1 Justin Dean 3 0 2 2 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jordan Wicks 3 8 8 4 3 1 1 Ryan Jensen 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 Ty Blach 1 3 4 4 2 0 1 Luke Little 2/3 4 5 5 1 0 1 Luis Peralta 1 1/3 1 1 1 2 3 0 Casey Opitz 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 Ayers Collects Four Hits And Three Doubles In Knoxville Loss The Knoxville Smokies fell 10-6 to the Montgomery Biscuits despite a standout afternoon from Owen Ayers, who went 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBI. Starter Connor Schultz could not find the strike zone, allowing seven runs, six earned, on five hits and four walks over 2 1/3 innings while striking out three. Knoxville trailed for most of the day before mounting a late push. The Smokies plated two in the sixth on an Ayers double that scored Alex Ramírez and an Andy Garriola groundout. They added four more in the seventh, as Hayden Cantrelle singled home Ethan Hearn, Alex Ramírez reached on an error that scored Edgar Alvarez, and Ayers capped the rally with another double that brought in Cantrelle. Jackson Kirkpatrick was the lone bright spot on the mound, working 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Knoxville left four runners on base and could not overcome the early deficit. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 2 0 0 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 3 1 0 0 1 1 Owen Ayers 4 0 4 3 0 0 Andy Garriola 4 0 0 1 0 0 Carter Trice 3 0 0 0 0 2 Ethan Hearn 3 1 0 0 0 1 Karson Simas 2 0 1 0 0 1 Ed Howard 1 0 0 0 0 1 Edgar Alvarez 3 1 1 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 2 1 1 1 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Schultz 2 1/3 5 7 6 4 3 1 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 2 1/3 3 3 3 3 0 1 Jackson Kirkpatrick 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 2 0 Hartshorn And Valdez Lead South Bend Past Peoria The South Bend Cubs earned a 5-3 win over the Peoria Chiefs behind a dominant relief outing from Kevin Valdez, who struck out eight and allowed one run on three hits across five innings without issuing a walk. The Cubs broke through in the third inning when Josiah Hartshorn launched a two-run home run that scored Kane Kepley and tied the game at 2-2. South Bend took the lead for good in the fifth, when Hartshorn lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Kepley and Jose Escobar doubled to score Ty Southisene, pushing the margin to 5-2. Hartshorn finished with three RBI on the day. Starter Eli Jerzembeck worked two innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four. Kane Kepley reached three times with a triple and a walk and scored twice atop the lineup. South Bend left eight runners on base but got enough from Valdez to close it out. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 2 1 0 1 1 Ty Southisene 2 1 1 0 1 1 Josiah Hartshorn 2 1 1 3 1 1 Matt Halbach 4 0 1 0 0 1 Cole Mathis 2 1 1 0 1 0 Jose Escobar 3 0 1 2 0 1 Justin Stransky 2 0 1 0 1 1 Alex Madera 3 0 1 0 0 1 Christian Olivo 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Eli Jerzembeck 2 4 2 2 2 4 1 Kevin Valdez 5 3 1 1 0 8 0 Mettert Slams The Door As Myrtle Beach Edges Augusta The Myrtle Beach Pelicans pulled away for a 5-2 win over the Augusta GreenJackets, with the bullpen providing the difference. Braylon Myers opened with three scoreless innings, striking out four while allowing one hit and three walks. The Pelicans struck first in the second inning when Jairo Diaz doubled to score Derniche Valdez. Myrtle Beach broke the game open in the seventh, scoring three runs. Alexis Hernandez singled home Henniel Alcala, Eli Lovich followed with a single that scored Darlyn De Leon, and Logan Poteet grounded into a force out that plated another run to make it 5-1. Sam Mettert closed the game with five strikeouts over two innings, allowing one run on one hit for his debut at the Pelican's ball park. Eli Lovich led the offense with two hits and an RBI, and Hernandez also drove in a run. Myrtle Beach left seven runners on base but never trailed. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 4 1 1 1 0 2 Eli Lovich 3 0 2 1 1 0 Logan Poteet 4 0 0 0 0 2 Michael Carico 3 0 0 0 1 1 Derniche Valdez 4 1 1 0 0 2 Yahil Melendez 3 1 1 0 1 1 Geuri Lubo 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jairo Diaz 1 0 1 1 0 0 Henniel Alcala 3 1 1 0 0 1 Darlyn De Leon 3 1 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 3 1 0 0 3 4 0 Hayden Frank 4 3 1 1 2 1 1 Sam Mettert 2 1 1 1 2 5 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-3, BB, K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcántara: 2-for-4, 2 R, K Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-2, HR, BB, K, 3 RBI Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-3, 3B, BB, 2 R, K Jonathon Long: 0-for-4 James Triantos: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 K Cole Mathis: 1-for-2, BB, R Owen Ayers: 4-for-4, 3 2B, 3 RBI Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-2, BB, R, K Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Andrew Wantz to a minor league contract. Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Javier Assad from Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Ethan Roberts to Iowa Cubs. Iowa Breaks Through With Four-Run Third To Top Toledo The Iowa Cubs scored seven runs on 10 hits to beat the Toledo Mud Hens, 7-5. The game was tied 3-3 entering the bottom of the third, when Iowa took control. Ben Cowles singled home James Triantos, Justin Dean doubled to score Ben Cowles and Scott Kingery. Brett Bateman followed with a double that brought in Dean, putting Iowa ahead 7-3. Bateman finished 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, Triantos went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Dean went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Matthew Boyd took the start and worked five innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, all earned, including three home runs, while walking one and striking out five. Tyler Ferguson followed with two scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out three. Iowa left four runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 4 1 3 1 0 1 Matt Shaw 3 1 1 1 1 1 BJ Murray 3 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Miller 3 0 0 0 0 1 James Triantos 3 1 2 2 0 0 Christian Bethancourt 3 0 0 0 0 0 Ben Cowles 3 1 1 1 0 1 Scott Kingery 3 1 1 0 0 0 Justin Dean 3 2 2 2 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Matthew Boyd 5 7 5 5 1 5 3 Tyler Ferguson 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 Jefferson Rojas And Knoxville Pour It On In 14-Run Night The Knoxville Smokies scored 14 runs on 15 hits to defeat the Birmingham Barons, 14-5. After Knoxville trailed early, the bottom of the fifth turned the game into a rout as the Smokies plated eight runs. Carter Trice homered to score Andy Garriola, Alex Ramirez walked with the bases loaded to push home a run, Jefferson Rojas added a sacrifice fly, and Andy Garriola capped the inning with a three-run home run, making it 12-5. Rojas finished 3-for-3 with two home runs, three runs, and three RBI, Garriola went 2-for-5 with three RBI, and Ariel Armas collected four hits. Tyler Schlaffer took the start and pitched four innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, all earned, while walking three and striking out seven. Jace Beck followed with three scoreless innings, walking two and striking out three, and Tyler Ras added two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Knoxville left seven runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 3 1 0 2 1 2 Jefferson Rojas 3 3 3 3 1 0 Owen Ayers 4 2 3 2 1 0 Andy Garriola 5 2 2 3 0 0 Carter Trice 3 1 1 2 1 1 Devin Ortiz 1 0 0 0 0 1 Edgar Alvarez 4 1 1 1 1 0 Karson Simas 4 2 1 0 1 2 Ariel Armas 5 1 4 0 0 0 Hayden Cantrelle 4 1 0 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Tyler Schlaffer 4 7 5 5 3 7 0 Jace Beck 3 0 0 0 2 3 0 Tyler Ras 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 South Bend Launches Four Homers In 13-2 Romp The South Bend Cubs scored 13 runs on 12 hits to beat the Quad Cities River Bandits, 13-2. South Bend blew the game open in the top of the fourth with three home runs. Christian Olivo homered to score Drew Bowser, Josiah Hartshorn followed with a solo home run, and Miguel Useche added a two-run home run to make it 8-0. The Cubs tacked on three more in the seventh, when Drew Bowser walked with the bases loaded, a run scored on a double play, and Kane Kepley singled home another. Hartshorn finished 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Useche homered and drove in two, and Bowser went 2-for-4 with a double. Will Sanders took the start and worked four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking three, and striking out three. JP Wheat added a scoreless inning, and Koen Moreno pitched four innings, allowing six hits and two runs, both earned, with one home run and six strikeouts. South Bend left 11 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 2 1 1 2 0 Ty Southisene 5 2 2 0 1 0 Josiah Hartshorn 5 1 3 3 0 1 Cole Mathis 5 2 1 2 1 0 Miguel Useche 3 2 1 2 2 1 Alex Madera 5 1 0 0 1 1 Justin Stransky 4 1 1 1 0 0 Drew Bowser 4 1 2 1 1 0 Christian Olivo 4 1 1 2 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Will Sanders 4 2 0 0 3 3 0 JP Wheat 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 Koen Moreno 4 6 2 2 0 6 1 Myrtle Beach Bats Go Quiet In 4-2 Loss At Charleston The Myrtle Beach Pelicans managed just two hits and fell to the Charleston RiverDogs, 4-2. The Pelicans trailed 2-0 before mounting their only offense in the top of the sixth. Alexis Hernandez singled home Edward Vargas, and Eli Lovich grounded out to bring in Darlyn De Leon, tying the game at 2-2. Charleston pulled away with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Hernandez and Darlyn De Leon accounted for the only two hits, and De Leon also drew a walk. Dominick Reid took the start and pitched five innings, allowing five hits and two runs, both earned, while walking one and striking out one. Edwardo Melendez followed with three innings, allowing one hit and two runs, both earned, with one walk and one strikeout. Myrtle Beach left four runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 4 0 1 1 0 0 Eli Lovich 4 0 0 1 0 2 Logan Poteet 4 0 0 0 0 2 Michael Carico 2 0 0 0 2 1 Derniche Valdez 4 0 0 0 0 0 Yahil Melendez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Geuri Lubo 3 0 0 0 0 1 Edward Vargas 2 1 0 0 1 1 Darlyn De Leon 2 1 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dominick Reid 5 5 2 2 1 1 0 Edwardo Melendez 3 1 2 2 1 1 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 3-for-3, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 3-for-5, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 BB Jonathon Long: DNP James Triantos: 2-for-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI Cole Mathis: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 1 BB Owen Ayers: 3-for-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 2-for-5, 1 BB Will Sanders: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs game was postponed. Garriola's Grand Slam Powers Smokies Past Barons The Knoxville Smokies jumped on the Birmingham Barons early and never trailed in a 6-2 win. Knoxville scored five times in the bottom of the first. Andy Garriola provided the blow, a grand slam to left field that drove in four runs and scored Alex Ramirez, Jefferson Rojas, and Owen Ayers. Ed Howard added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to score Carter Trice. Knoxville tacked on in the third when Howard doubled to left to bring home Trice again. Connor Schultz turned in the start, working four innings and allowing one run on three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Evan Taylor followed with two scoreless innings, allowing no hits with one walk and three strikeouts to pick up the win and improve to 2-0. Jefferson Rojas collected two hits and stole two bases, and Carter Trice added two hits and scored twice along with a key defensive play in the 7th: Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramirez 4 1 1 0 0 1 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 2 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 3 1 1 0 1 1 Andy Garriola 4 1 1 4 0 1 Ethan Hearn 4 0 0 0 0 2 Carter Trice 4 2 2 0 0 2 Cameron Sisneros 4 0 1 0 0 2 Ed Howard 3 0 1 2 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle 4 0 1 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Schultz 4 3 1 1 0 7 1 Evan Taylor 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 Vince Reilly 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 Frankie Scalzo Jr. 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 South Bend Lets Lead Slip Away in Loss to River Bandits The South Bend Cubs took an early lead but could not hold it in a 4-3 loss at Quad Cities. After falling behind 2-0 in the second, South Bend answered in the third. Christian Olivo doubled to left to score Alex Madera, and Ty Southisene followed by grounding into a force out that brought home Olivo, with a throwing error on the play keeping the inning alive. South Bend took the lead in the fourth when Madera singled to score Jose Escobar. The River Bandits rallied back, tying the game in the sixth and pushing across the go-ahead run in the seventh. Cole Reynolds worked four innings in the start, allowing two runs, both earned, on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Ben Johnson followed with three innings, charged with two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one, and took the loss to fall to 1-1. Kenten Egbert closed with a scoreless inning. Madera and Olivo each had multi-hit days, and Olivo drove in the lone South Bend RBI. South Bend left three runners on base. Escobar made an impressive fielding playing in the 4th to add some positivity toe the recap. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 2 0 0 0 2 1 Ty Southisene 4 0 0 0 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn 4 0 1 0 0 2 Matt Halbach 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jose Escobar 4 1 1 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 4 0 0 0 0 1 Alex Madera 3 1 2 0 0 1 Dilan Granadillo 3 0 0 0 0 1 Christian Olivo 3 1 1 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Cole Reynolds 4 3 2 2 3 4 0 Ben Johnson 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 Kenten Egbert 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Melendez Drives In Three, but Pelicans Fall at Charleston The Myrtle Beach Pelicans collected 11 hits but could not overcome Charleston in a 9-5 loss. Myrtle Beach led early, scoring in the first when Yahil Melendez walked with the bases loaded to bring home Eli Lovich, and again in the third when Melendez doubled to left to score Logan Poteet. The RiverDogs answered with a three-run third and a four-run sixth to pull away. Myrtle Beach kept battling, adding a run in the seventh on Poteet's double and two more in the ninth on Michael Carico's home run and another Melendez double. Hayden Frank made the start and took the loss, dropping to 2-3 after allowing three runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts over three innings. David Bracho was tagged for five runs, two earned, on five hits across two innings. Poteet had three hits, and Melendez added two hits and three RBI. Myrtle Beach left 11 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Darlyn De Leon 5 0 0 0 0 1 Eli Lovich 3 2 1 0 2 0 Logan Poteet 5 1 3 1 0 2 Michael Carico 5 1 2 1 0 1 Derniche Valdez 4 1 2 0 1 2 Yahil Melendez 4 0 2 3 1 0 Geuri Lubo 3 0 0 0 1 1 Jairo Diaz 4 0 1 0 0 2 Edward Vargas 3 0 0 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Hayden Frank 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 Henry Cone 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 David Bracho 2 5 5 2 3 2 0 Riely Hunsaker 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 2-for-4, 2 SB Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K Jonathon Long: DNP James Triantos: DNP Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 1-for-3, BB, K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 0-for-4 Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions None Iowa Falls To Indianapolis After Late Collapse The Iowa Cubs lost 14-5 to the Indianapolis Indians, undone by a string of big innings allowed by the bullpen. Iowa had taken a 5-2 lead, building it on RBI from Scott Kingery, Brett Bateman, BJ Murray, and a pair of run-scoring singles from Chas McCormick, who finished 2-for-5 with two RBI. Ben Cowles added two hits, and Owen Miller scored twice with two stolen bases. The game turned in the fifth inning, when Indianapolis scored five runs to take the lead for good, then added three in the sixth and four in the eighth. Christian Roa was charged with four runs, three walks, and a home run while recording two outs. Zac Leigh took the loss after allowing five runs, four walks, and a home run while retiring one batter. The lone bright spot on the mound was Connor Noland, who allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits over four innings, walking one and striking out six. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 0 1 1 1 0 Justin Dean 3 1 0 0 1 2 BJ Murray 4 0 0 1 1 1 Owen Miller 4 2 1 0 0 1 Chas McCormick 5 0 2 2 0 2 Ben Cowles 5 1 2 0 0 2 James Triantos 4 1 1 0 0 0 Eric Yang 1 0 0 0 3 1 Scott Kingery 3 0 1 1 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ryan Jensen 1/3 0 0 0 2 0 0 Christian Roa 2/3 1 4 4 3 1 1 Collin Snider 1 2/3 5 3 3 0 1 0 Zac Leigh 1/3 1 5 5 4 0 1 Gavin Hollowell 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Connor Noland 4 3 2 1 1 6 0 Knoxville Powers Past Chattanooga With Four Homers The Knoxville Smokies hit four home runs to beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 7-5. Owen Ayers, batting second, finished 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, and Jefferson Rojas, Ethan Hearn, and Edgar Alvarez each added a homer. Alex Madera went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, and a run, and Hayden Cantrelle reached base twice with two hits. Knoxville scored three times in the third inning, the most decisive frame of the game. Ethan Hearn led off the second with a solo home run, then in the third Alex Madera doubled home Hayden Cantrelle before Owen Ayers homered to bring in Madera, putting Knoxville ahead 4-1. Edgar Alvarez added a two-run homer in the sixth, and Jefferson Rojas homered in the seventh to provide the final margin. Starter Dawson Netz allowed one run on two hits over 3 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out two, to earn the win. Evan Taylor surrendered three runs in one inning of relief, and Jake Knapp settled things down with 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 4 1 1 2 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 1 1 0 1 Andy Garriola 4 0 2 0 0 1 Ethan Hearn 4 1 1 1 0 1 Carter Trice 2 1 0 0 1 1 Edgar Alvarez 3 1 1 2 0 0 Hayden Cantrelle 3 1 2 0 0 0 Alex Madera 3 1 2 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz 3 1/3 2 1 1 1 2 1 Evan Taylor 1 4 3 3 2 1 0 Jake Knapp 2 2/3 3 1 1 1 2 0 South Bend Shuts Out Fort Wayne Behind Bowser's Grand Slam The South Bend Cubs blanked the Fort Wayne TinCaps 7-0 on the strength of a combined three-pitcher shutout and a four-run sixth inning. Drew Bowser drove in all four runs with a grand slam to left field, scoring Josiah Hartshorn, Matt Halbach, and Justin Stransky to break the game open. It was South Bend’s second grand slam of May, a new single-month record for the affiliate. South Bend had built its lead earlier with two runs in the second, when Jose Escobar and Justin Stransky hit back-to-back doubles, the first scoring Matt Halbach and the second scoring Escobar. Halbach added an RBI single in the third to bring home Ty Southisene. Bowser finished 1-for-4 with the grand slam and four RBI, and Escobar, Stransky, Halbach, and Southisene each collected a hit. Starter Eli Jerzembeck worked two scoreless innings, walking two and striking out two, to earn the win. Mason McGwire was dominant in relief, striking out six over three hitless and scoreless innings while earning a save. Koen Moreno closed it out with four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 5 0 0 0 0 1 Ty Southisene 4 1 1 0 0 1 Josiah Hartshorn 3 1 1 0 1 1 Matt Halbach 1 2 1 1 2 0 Miguel Useche 3 0 0 0 1 3 Jose Escobar 4 1 1 1 0 0 Justin Stransky 3 1 1 1 1 1 Drew Bowser 4 1 1 4 0 2 Christian Olivo 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Eli Jerzembeck 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 Mason McGwire 3 1 0 0 0 6 0 Koen Moreno 4 2 0 0 4 4 0 Lubo And Melendez Homer As Myrtle Beach Holds Off Wilson The Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat the Wilson Warbirds 7-5, pulling away with a three-run eighth inning. Geuri Lubo led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBI, and his three-run homer in the eighth, which scored Eli Lovich and Jairo Diaz, provided the winning margin. Yahil Melendez went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in the fifth, and Alexey Lumpuy reached base twice with two hits, a run, and two stolen bases out of the leadoff spot. Myrtle Beach also scratched out runs early, taking a sacrifice fly from Henniel Alcala in the second that scored Derniche Valdez and a run in the third when Lovich scored on a wild pitch. Noah Edders gave up four runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out three. Braylon Myers picked up the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Riely Hunsaker worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 4 1 2 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 1 0 0 2 Eli Lovich 3 2 0 0 1 2 Yahil Melendez 4 1 1 2 0 1 Derniche Valdez 4 1 0 0 0 0 Jairo Diaz 2 1 0 0 1 0 Geuri Lubo 4 1 2 3 0 0 Henniel Alcala 3 0 0 1 0 2 Edward Vargas 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders 3 1/3 5 4 4 2 3 0 Braylon Myers 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 Riely Hunsaker 4 1/3 3 1 1 3 2 0 Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-3, BB, R, K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-5, K Jonathon Long: DNP James Triantos: 1-for-4, R, SB Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-4, R, K Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions No Roster Moves Iowa Cubs Blanked By Indianapolis Despite Assad's Strong Start Iowa was shut out 3-0 at Indianapolis, stranding 12 runners on base despite collecting seven hits and drawing six walks. The Cubs went without an RBI on the night. Javier Assad turned in the start of the night, working 4 1/3 innings while allowing four hits, one earned run, and one walk with five strikeouts on 78 pitches. Assad retired the first batter of the fifth before walking Shawn Ross and being lifted with one out and a runner aboard. Luis Peralta entered and allowed Assad's runner to score on a single, then surrendered a two-run home run that broke the game open and accounted for all of Indianapolis's offense. Peralta finished with 1 1/3 innings, two hits, two earned runs, one walk, three strikeouts, and the lone home run allowed by Iowa pitching. Tyler Ferguson followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Corbin Martin added one scoreless inning with two strikeouts. BJ Murray led the offense with a 2-for-3 effort and a walk. Owen Miller drew two walks. Justin Dean added two walks and a stolen base. James Triantos, Brett Bateman, Jonathon Long, Ben Cowles, and Eric Yang each added a base hit. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 4 0 1 0 0 0 James Triantos 4 0 1 0 0 0 BJ Murray 3 0 2 0 1 1 Jonathon Long 3 0 1 0 1 1 Owen Miller 2 0 0 0 2 0 Ben Cowles 4 0 1 0 0 0 Scott Kingery 4 0 0 0 0 2 Eric Yang 4 0 1 0 0 2 Justin Dean 1 0 0 0 2 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Javier Assad 4 1/3 4 1 1 1 5 0 Luis Peralta 1 1/3 2 2 2 1 3 1 Tyler Ferguson 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 Corbin Martin 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Smokies Drop One-Run Decision To Chattanooga Knoxville fell 3-2 at Chattanooga, leaving 15 runners on base despite reaching base 12 times via eight hits and four walks. Connor Schultz delivered five strong innings as the starter, allowing two earned runs on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. He left with the game tied 2-2. The Smokies struck first in the top of the first. Alex Ramírez led off with a double, then Jefferson Rojas singled to put runners on the corners. Ramírez scored on a throwing error during the play, and Rojas advanced to second on the same miscue. Rojas stole third and later scored on another defensive lapse during Ethan Hearn's at-bat. Both Knoxville runs were unearned. Chattanooga answered with two runs of its own in the bottom half on a two-run double, tying the score at 2-2. Nick Dean took the loss after a rough sixth inning. He retired the first batter, then surrendered two singles and walked two consecutive hitters, the second of which forced in the eventual winning run. Dean finished with two innings, three hits, one earned run, two walks, and two strikeouts. Evan Taylor closed with one scoreless inning, one walk, and one strikeout. Ramírez led the offense at 3-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases. Rojas added a hit, a stolen base, and a run scored. Cameron Sisneros, Alex Madera, Carter Trice, and Ethan Hearn each picked up a hit. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 5 1 3 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 3 0 0 0 1 2 Jefferson Rojas 3 1 1 0 0 1 Andy Garriola 4 0 0 0 0 3 Ethan Hearn 4 0 1 0 0 1 Carter Trice 4 0 1 0 0 1 Cameron Sisneros 3 0 1 0 1 0 Hayden Cantrelle 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ed Howard 3 0 0 0 1 0 Alex Madera 3 0 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Connor Schultz 5 5 2 2 0 8 0 Nick Dean 2 3 1 1 2 2 0 Evan Taylor 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Halbach's Bases-Clearing Double Lifts South Bend Past Fort Wayne South Bend rallied from a 2-0 hole with four runs in the bottom of the fifth and never looked back, beating the Fort Wayne TinCaps 6-3. Starter Cole Reynolds turned in five innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and striking out five. The damage came on solo home runs in the second and the fifth, accounting for both runs charged to his line. The decisive frame came in the bottom of the fifth. Justin Stransky was hit by a pitch, and after a fly-out, leadoff hitter Kane Kepley, Ty Southisene, and Josiah Hartshorn drew consecutive walks, the third of which forced in Stransky to put the Cubs on the board. Matt Halbach then cleared the bases with a double to left, scoring Kepley, Southisene, and Hartshorn to push South Bend ahead 4-2. The Cubs added a run in the sixth when Miguel Useche singled and later scored on Kepley's triple to right, and Useche tacked on a solo home run in the eighth. Adam Stone followed with three innings, allowing one earned run on a solo home run with three strikeouts. Ethan Bell closed with a scoreless ninth. Kepley finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, a run, an RBI, and a stolen base. Useche went 2-for-4 with the home run, two runs, and an RBI. Halbach added the three-RBI double, and Hartshorn drew two walks and scored. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 1 2 1 1 0 Ty Southisene 2 1 0 0 2 0 Josiah Hartshorn 2 1 1 1 2 1 Matt Halbach 3 0 1 3 1 1 Leonel Espinoza 3 0 0 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 1 0 0 0 0 1 Jose Escobar 4 0 0 0 0 3 Miguel Useche 4 2 2 1 0 1 Justin Stransky 3 1 0 0 0 2 Christian Olivo 4 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Cole Reynolds 5 4 2 2 1 5 2 Adam Stone 3 1 1 1 0 3 1 Ethan Bell 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Pelicans Drop Tight Ninth-Inning Decision To Wilson Myrtle Beach gave up the lead late and fell 4-3 to the Wilson Warbirds, falling just short despite a Logan Poteet home run in the bottom of the ninth. Kaleb Wing started and tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Edwardo Melendez followed with four innings of work, giving up two earned runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts, including the two runs that tied the game in the seventh on a two-run double. Jordan Henriquez surrendered the go-ahead and insurance runs across his two innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Eli Lovich opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a solo home run to right center, and the Pelicans extended their lead in the fifth when Derniche Valdez came around to score on a fielder's choice and a Wilson throwing error, an unearned run. Wilson tied it 2-2 with the two-run double in the seventh and took the lead in the eighth on a run-scoring double off Henriquez. The Warbirds added an insurance run in the ninth when Henriquez induced a fielder's choice and a Pelicans throwing error allowed a run to come home. Poteet led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run to right center to make it 4-3, but Myrtle Beach could not push the tying run across. Valdez finished 2-for-4. Lovich and Poteet both went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 3 0 0 0 1 2 Alexis Hernandez 3 0 0 0 1 2 Michael Carico 2 0 0 0 2 1 Logan Poteet 4 1 1 1 0 1 Eli Lovich 4 1 1 1 0 1 Derniche Valdez 4 1 2 0 0 0 Yahil Melendez 3 0 0 0 0 1 Geuri Lubo 3 0 0 0 0 2 Darlyn De Leon 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kaleb Wing 3 3 0 0 2 4 0 Edwardo Melendez 4 4 2 2 1 3 0 Jordan Henriquez 2 3 2 1 2 3 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-3, R, K, SB Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-2, R, RBI, 2 BB, K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 2-for-3, 3B, R, RBI, BB, SB Jonathon Long: 1-for-3, BB, K James Triantos: 1-for-4 Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Ty Blach to a minor league contract. Ty Blach And Bullpen Blank Indianapolis As Iowa Wins 1-0 Iowa scored the game's only run in the top of the first inning and then leaned on its pitching staff to hold off the host Indianapolis Indians, 1-0. With one out, Jonathon Long singled and BJ Murray followed with a single to push Long to third. Owen Miller was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Long came home on a wild pitch for the lone run. Iowa managed five hits, played errorless defense, and stranded eight runners, but it never needed more offense. Long led the lineup with two hits and a run scored, Christian Bethancourt added two hits, including a double, and Murray reached twice on a single and a walk. Ty Blach set the tone, allowing two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings while walking three and striking out six. The bullpen finished the shutout in order. Gavin Hollowell struck out two over 1 1/3 scoreless innings, Collin Snider worked a scoreless inning with a strikeout, and Christian Roa closed with two scoreless innings, one hit allowed, and three strikeouts. Roa retired the side in both the eighth and the ninth to finish the combined three-hitter, and the four Iowa arms together allowed three hits and struck out 12 while issuing just three walks. Player AB R H RBI BB K James Triantos 4 0 0 0 0 1 Jonathon Long 4 1 2 0 0 1 BJ Murray 3 0 1 0 1 1 Owen Miller 3 0 0 0 0 2 Chas McCormick 4 0 0 0 0 3 Ben Cowles 3 0 0 0 1 1 Christian Bethancourt 4 0 2 0 0 0 Scott Kingery 3 0 0 0 1 0 Brett Bateman 2 0 0 0 2 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Ty Blach 4 2/3 2 0 0 3 6 0 Gavin Hollowell 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Collin Snider 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Christian Roa 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 Carter Trice's Tenth-Inning Single Lifts Knoxville Past Chattanooga 5-4 Knoxville and the host Chattanooga Lookouts traded the lead through regulation before the Smokies pulled out a 5-4 win in 10 innings. The decisive run came in the top of the tenth, when zombie runner Andy Garriola scored on a leadoff single from Carter Trice. Marino Santy then worked a scoreless bottom of the tenth, striking out two, to seal it. Knoxville had built its earlier cushion in the sixth. Cameron Sisneros singled home Jefferson Rojas to break a 1-1 tie (his first AA hit of his career), and Devin Ortiz followed with an RBI single, aided by a throwing error, to make it 3-1. The Lookouts answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth and a solo shot in the seventh to even the score again. Trice finished 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, including a solo blast in the second inning. Owen Ayers homered, drew two walks, and scored a run. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 5 0 2 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 2 1 1 1 2 0 Jefferson Rojas 5 1 1 0 0 2 Andy Garriola 5 1 0 0 0 0 Carter Trice 5 1 2 2 0 1 Cameron Sisneros 3 1 1 1 1 1 Hayden Cantrelle 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ariel Armas 4 0 1 0 0 1 Devin Ortiz 5 0 1 0 0 2 Alex Madera 4 0 1 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 5 4 1 1 0 8 0 Jace Beck 2 6 3 3 0 2 2 Vince Reilly 2 1 0 0 0 4 0 Marino Santy 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Josiah Hartshorn Drives In Five As South Bend Routs Fort Wayne 13-5 South Bend pounded out 15 hits and pulled away from the Fort Wayne TinCaps for a 13-5 win. The home team broke through in the first when Leonel Espinoza tripled home Ty Southisene and Josiah Hartshorn for a 2-0 lead, then blew the game open with a five-run third inning. That third inning began with a Hartshorn sacrifice fly that scored Kane Kepley. Espinoza followed with an RBI single, Dilan Granadillo drew a bases-loaded walk, and Christian Olivo capped the rally with a two-run single, pushing the lead to 7-1. South Bend tacked on two more in the fourth on a Hartshorn single and four runs in the fifth, the last two coming on Hartshorn's home run. Hartshorn finished 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs, and five RBI. Southisene also went 3-for-4 and scored four times, while Espinoza added three hits, a triple, and three RBI. Kepley, batting leadoff, had two hits, two runs, and an RBI, and Olivo chipped in two hits and two RBI. South Bend left just four runners on base. Kevin Valdez covered the most ground on the mound, allowing one run on five hits over 4 1/3 innings with two walks and two strikeouts. The bullpen was mostly steady, though Fort Wayne pushed across four runs in the eighth. Kenten Egbert recorded the final outs, working 1 1/3 innings and allowing no runs while striking out two. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 2 2 1 0 1 Ty Southisene 4 4 3 0 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn 4 2 3 5 0 1 Matt Halbach 4 1 1 0 1 1 Leonel Espinoza 5 1 3 3 0 0 Miguel Useche 4 1 1 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 4 0 0 0 0 2 Dilan Granadillo 2 1 0 1 2 0 Christian Olivo 4 1 2 2 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kevin Valdez 4 1/3 5 1 1 2 2 0 Kenyi Perez 1 2/3 0 0 0 1 3 0 JP Wheat 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 Ben Johnson 2/3 0 4 2 3 0 0 Kenten Egbert 1 1/3 1 0 0 3 2 0 Logan Poteet's Three-Run Homer Powers Myrtle Beach Over Wilson 6-2 Myrtle Beach used a three-run fifth inning to break open a tight game and beat the Wilson Warbirds, 6-2. After Yahil Melendez's RBI single in the fourth put the Pelicans ahead 1-0, Wilson tied it in the top of the fifth. Myrtle Beach answered immediately in the bottom half, when Logan Poteet launched a three-run homer to make it 4-1. The Pelicans added two insurance runs in the seventh. Michael Carico and Poteet came around to score on a two-run single by Derniche Valdez, stretching the lead to 6-2. Poteet led the offense, going 2-for-2 with a double, the home run, three RBI, two runs, and two walks. Valdez added two hits, a double, and two RBI. Carico reached base four times on a hit and three walks and scored twice, and Melendez drove in a run. Alexey Lumpuy and Darlyn De Leon each chipped in a hit, and Myrtle Beach drew eight walks as a team to keep the pressure on. Dominick Reid was excellent in the start, striking out nine over five innings while allowing one run on two hits and two walks. Daniel Avitia closed it out with three scoreless innings, giving up two hits, walking three, and striking out two. Myrtle Beach stranded seven runners. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 5 1 1 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 3 0 0 0 1 1 Michael Carico 1 2 1 0 3 0 Logan Poteet 2 2 2 3 2 0 Eli Lovich 3 0 0 0 1 1 Derniche Valdez 4 1 2 2 0 1 Yahil Melendez 3 0 1 1 1 1 Darlyn De Leon 4 0 1 0 0 2 Edward Vargas 4 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dominick Reid 5 2 1 1 2 9 0 Henry Cone 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 Daniel Avitia 3 2 0 0 3 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-5, 2 K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 3-for-4, HR, 1 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 2-for-4, 1 K Jonathon Long: 2-for-4, 1 K James Triantos: 0-for-4, 1 K Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 1-for-2, HR Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: 3-for-4 Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs designated 2B Nicky Lopez for assignment. Chicago Cubs recalled RF Kevin Alcántara from Iowa Cubs. Iowa's Five-Run Seventh Pushes The Cubs Past Memphis Iowa erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to overtake Memphis and win 6-4 at Principal Park. Trailing 3-1 entering the frame, the Cubs strung together a walk by Brett Bateman and back-to-back singles from leadoff hitter Justin Dean and Jonathon Long to load the bases. BJ Murray then delivered a two-run double to left, with Bateman and Dean both scoring. Cleanup hitter Owen Miller followed with another two-run double that brought Long and Murray home, and Chas McCormick capped the rally with an RBI double that plated Miller. Paul Campbell turned in a steady starting effort, working six innings while allowing three runs on six hits, one walk, and one strikeout. He gave up a two-run home run in the fifth and an RBI double in the third. Gavin Hollowell earned the win after tossing a scoreless seventh. Collin Snider allowed a solo home run in the eighth but recorded a hold, and Christian Roa closed it out with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth for the save. Dean led the offense with two hits, a run, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Murray finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a walk. Miller went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and McCormick added two hits and a double in a 2-for-4 effort. Ben Cowles also doubled. James Triantos went 0-for-4. Iowa banged out 12 hits and left eight runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin Dean, RF 4 1 2 1 1 1 Jonathon Long, 1B 4 1 1 0 1 1 BJ Murray, LF 3 1 2 2 1 0 Owen Miller, 3B 4 1 2 2 0 0 Chas McCormick, DH 4 0 2 1 0 1 Christian Bethancourt, C 4 0 1 0 0 1 James Triantos, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ben Cowles, SS 4 1 1 0 0 2 Brett Bateman, CF 3 1 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Paul Campbell 6.0 6 3 3 1 1 1 Gavin Hollowell (W, 1-0) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Collin Snider (H, 2) 1.0 1 1 1 1 2 1 Christian Roa (S, 1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Caple's Quality Start Lifts Smokies Past Biscuits In A 2-1 Win Brooks Caple delivered a quality start to lead Knoxville to a 2-1 win over Montgomery at Smokies Stadium. Caple worked six innings, scattering five hits while allowing one earned run on a solo home run in the fourth. He did not walk a batter and struck out four to earn the win. The Smokies scored both of their runs by bringing Alex Ramírez across the plate. In the first inning, Ramírez doubled and then came home on Owen Ayers' RBI single to center. With the game tied at one in the bottom of the eighth, Ramírez singled, eventually moved into scoring position, and scored on cleanup hitter Jefferson Rojas' RBI single to right. Ramírez led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs, and a stolen base. Ayers, Rojas, and Karson Simas each contributed a hit, with Simas also drawing a walk and stealing a base. Carter Trice, Andy Garriola, and Hayden Cantrelle each drew a walk as well. The Smokies struck out nine times as a team. Jake Knapp got the start and turned in two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and three strikeouts. Marino Santy closed the door in the ninth with a perfect inning and a strikeout to earn the save. Knoxville committed one error and left seven runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Carter Trice, LF 3 0 0 0 1 1 Alex Ramírez, RF 4 2 3 0 0 0 Owen Ayers, DH 4 0 1 1 0 1 Jefferson Rojas, 3B 4 0 1 1 0 1 Andy Garriola, CF 3 0 0 0 1 0 Edgar Alvarez, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 Karson Simas, SS 2 0 1 0 1 1 Ariel Armas, C 3 0 0 0 0 2 Hayden Cantrelle, 2B 2 0 0 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jake Knapp 2.0 1 0 0 1 3 0 Brooks Caple (W, 1-0) 6.0 5 1 1 0 4 1 Marino Santy (S, 2) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Four-Run Second And Useche's Power Carry South Bend To 5-3 Victory South Bend struck for four runs in the top of the second inning and held on to beat West Michigan 5-3 in Comstock Park. The rally began when Cole Mathis singled and scored on Leonel Espinoza's RBI double to left. Alex Madera walked, and Miguel Useche followed with an RBI single to center to score Espinoza. After a fielder's choice and a walk to leadoff hitter Kane Kepley, Ty Southisene delivered a two-run single to right that brought Useche and Christian Olivo home. Useche later padded the lead with a solo home run in the sixth. Jostin Florentino had a rough start, working two innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks, though he struck out three. Ben Johnson earned the win by tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. Kenten Egbert worked a scoreless sixth for a hold, and Brayden Spears finished it by working three innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four to earn the save. Useche led the offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs, and a home run. Southisene went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Espinoza added a 1-for-4 effort with a double, a run, and an RBI. Mathis chipped in a hit and a run, and Olivo went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. Kade Snell had a tough night, going 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. The Cubs collected nine hits, struck out 15 times, and left seven runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley, DH 4 0 0 0 1 1 Ty Southisene, SS 5 0 2 2 0 0 Kade Snell, LF 5 0 0 0 0 5 Matt Halbach, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 2 Cole Mathis, 1B 4 1 1 0 0 1 Leonel Espinoza, RF 4 1 1 1 0 1 Alex Madera, 2B 3 0 1 0 1 1 Miguel Useche, C 4 2 2 2 0 1 Christian Olivo, CF 4 1 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jostin Florentino 2.0 3 2 2 3 3 0 Ben Johnson (W, 1-0) 3.0 1 0 0 1 4 0 Kenten Egbert (H, 1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Brayden Spears (S, 1) 3.0 2 1 1 0 4 1 Hartshorn's Big Double Not Enough As Pelicans Fall To Cannon Ballers Myrtle Beach put together a three-run rally in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game, but Kannapolis answered with three in the bottom of the frame and held on for a 5-4 win. Trailing 2-0, leadoff hitter Alexis Hernandez and Darlyn De Leon set the rally up with hits before Alexey Lumpuy's RBI single brought De Leon home. Josiah Hartshorn then doubled to right to score Hernandez and Lumpuy, knotting the score at three. Myrtle Beach added one more in the seventh on a Hernandez triple followed by a Lumpuy walk, but the Pelicans stranded the tying run. Noah Edders started and worked two innings, striking out four while allowing one earned run on no hits and one walk. David Bracho took the loss after a rough three innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four. Hayden Frank gave Myrtle Beach a chance to come back, tossing three scoreless innings on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Hernandez led the offense, going 3-for-5 with two runs and a triple. Hartshorn finished 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a walk. De Leon went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and a run, and Michael Carico added two hits and a double. Lumpuy walked twice, scored a run, and drove in another in a 1-for-3 effort. The Pelicans collected ten hits, but committed two errors and left seven runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez, SS 5 2 3 0 0 2 Alexey Lumpuy, RF 3 1 1 1 2 1 Josiah Hartshorn, CF 3 0 1 2 1 2 Jose Escobar, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 Michael Carico, 1B 4 0 2 0 0 1 Derniche Valdez, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 2 Yahil Melendez, DH 4 0 1 0 0 2 Henniel Alcala, C 4 0 0 0 0 1 Darlyn De Leon, LF 4 1 2 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Noah Edders 2.0 0 1 1 1 4 0 David Bracho (L, 0-1) 3.0 3 4 4 5 4 0 Hayden Frank 3.0 2 0 0 1 4 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-4, RBI, K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-4, BB, K Jonathon Long: 1-for-4, R, BB, K James Triantos: 0-for-4, K Cole Mathis: 1-for-4, R, K Owen Ayers: 1-for-4, RBI, K Brooks Caple: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (W) Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K Ty Southisene: 2-for-5, 2 RBI Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article