Travis Klosinski

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs sent RHP Phil Maton on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs. Bethancourt's Three-Run Homer Backs Wantz As Iowa Cubs Top St. Paul The Iowa Cubs beat the St. Paul Saints 3-1, riding one big swing and a strong night from the pitching staff. St. Paul took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly, but Iowa answered in the second. Chas McCormick and James Triantos opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and Christian Bethancourt followed with a three-run home run to left field, his ninth of the season. That was all the scoring Iowa needed. Andrew Wantz held the line and earned the win with 5 2/3 innings of one-run baseball, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Luis Peralta recorded the final out of the sixth with a strikeout, and Phil Maton looked good, striking out three over 1 2/3 hitless innings. Vince Reilly worked around a walk over the final 1 1/3 innings for his second save. Owen Miller led the offense with a 3-for-4 night, and all three of his hits were doubles. Triantos finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, and McCormick added a single, a walk, and a stolen base. Iowa outhit St. Paul 8-3 and left six runners on base. Brett Bateman entered the game as a replacement for Jonathon Long, who went 0-for-3 with a walk. Player AB R H RBI BB K Owen Miller 4 0 3 0 0 0 Jonathon Long 3 0 0 0 1 1 Brett Bateman 0 0 0 0 0 0 BJ Murray 4 0 1 0 0 1 Moisés Ballesteros 4 0 0 0 0 0 Chas McCormick 3 1 1 0 1 1 James Triantos 4 1 2 0 0 0 Christian Bethancourt 3 1 1 3 0 1 Ben Cowles 3 0 0 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Andrew Wantz 5 2/3 3 1 1 2 7 0 Luis Peralta 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 Phil Maton 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 3 0 Vince Reilly 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 Six-Run Sixth Sends Smokies Past Biloxi The Knoxville Smokies erased an early deficit and pulled away with a six-run sixth inning to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 9-6. Biloxi struck first with three runs in the second inning on a pair of run-scoring doubles off Brooks Caple, but Caple settled in from there. He finished with a quality start, allowing three runs on three hits over six innings while walking two and striking out six to earn the win. Owen Ayers got Knoxville back in it in the third with a two-run homer to right field, his 16th of the season, scoring Jefferson Rojas. The sixth inning broke the game open. Carter Trice walked, and Edgar Alvarez and Karson Simas singled to load the bases. Ethan Hearn ripped a two-run double, Alex Madera and Alex Ramírez followed with run-scoring singles, and Ayers capped the rally with a two-run single before being thrown out at second on the throw home. The six-run frame gave Knoxville an 8-3 lead. Biloxi got three back in the seventh against Tyler Schlaffer, who recorded just one out, but Marino Santy struck out three over 1 2/3 innings to stop the bleeding. Trice answered with a solo homer, his 11th, in the bottom of the seventh, finishing 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs. Luke Little worked a perfect ninth for his first save. Ayers went 2-for-5 with four RBI. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 5 1 1 1 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 1 0 1 0 Owen Ayers 5 1 2 4 0 1 Andy Garriola 4 0 0 0 0 2 Carter Trice 2 2 2 1 2 0 Edgar Alvarez 3 1 1 0 1 1 Karson Simas 3 1 1 0 1 1 Ethan Hearn 3 1 1 2 1 2 Alex Madera 4 1 2 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brooks Caple 6 3 3 3 2 6 0 Tyler Schlaffer 1/3 3 3 3 2 1 0 Marino Santy 1 2/3 0 0 0 2 3 0 Luke Little 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Eighth-Inning Homer Sinks South Bend In Cedar Rapids The South Bend Cubs carried a one-run lead into the eighth inning, but a two-run homer handed them a 3-2 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Nazier Mulé started and gave South Bend four solid innings, allowing one run on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts. Cedar Rapids scored its first run in the opening frame when a run came home on a fielding error. South Bend tied the game in the third. Christian Olivo reached, and Matt Halbach doubled him home with a line drive to left. The Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Miguel Useche reached, moved into scoring position, and came home on Olivo's sacrifice fly. Jackson Brockett was excellent in relief, tossing three scoreless innings with one hit allowed and four strikeouts. But Eli Jerzembeck could not hold the lead in the eighth. After a one-out walk, Cedar Rapids connected on a two-run homer to left center that put the Kernels ahead for good. Jerzembeck took the loss and the blown save, allowing two runs on two hits in one inning. South Bend managed just three hits, doubles by Jose Escobar and Halbach, and a single by Useche, while drawing five walks. The Cubs stranded eight runners and went quietly in the ninth. Josiah Hartshorn struck out three times, and Kane Kepley went 0-for-5 out of the leadoff spot. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 5 0 0 0 0 0 Josiah Hartshorn 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jose Escobar 3 0 1 0 1 0 Matt Halbach 4 0 1 1 0 1 Miguel Useche 3 1 1 0 1 1 Michael Carico 2 0 0 0 2 2 Logan Poteet 4 0 0 0 0 2 Michael Hallquist 2 0 0 0 1 0 Christian Olivo 2 1 0 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mulé 4 1 1 1 2 2 0 Jackson Brockett 3 1 0 0 0 4 0 Eli Jerzembeck 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 Pelicans Plate Six In First Without A Hit As Martinez-Gomez Dominates The Myrtle Beach Pelicans scored six first-inning runs without recording a hit and rode six scoreless innings from Luis Martinez-Gomez to an 11-8 win over the Fredericksburg Nationals. Fredericksburg's control problems fueled the opening rally. Alexis Hernandez walked, Alexey Lumpuy was hit by a pitch, and Eli Lovich walked to load the bases. Hernandez scored on a wild pitch during Derniche Valdez's walk, Geuri Lubo was hit by a pitch to force in Lumpuy, and walks to Jairo Diaz and Jose Silva brought home two more. A fielding error on Edward Vargas' grounder scored Lubo, and Hernandez capped the inning with a sacrifice fly. In all, the Pelicans drew five walks and took two hit-by-pitches in the frame. Valdez added a solo homer, his seventh, in the second, and Ivan Cespedes hit his first of the season in the third for an 8-0 lead. Martinez-Gomez was outstanding, allowing one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings while striking out seven for a quality start and the win. The bullpen then made it interesting. Jhon Rosario allowed a three-run homer in the seventh, and Sam Mettert gave up five runs over the final two innings, including four in the ninth. Hernandez added an RBI single in the seventh, and Diaz launched a two-run homer in the eighth, finishing with three RBI, to provide the cushion. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexis Hernandez 2 1 1 2 2 0 Alexey Lumpuy 2 1 0 0 2 2 Eli Lovich 4 1 0 0 1 2 Derniche Valdez 4 2 2 1 1 1 Geuri Lubo 3 2 0 1 1 2 Jairo Diaz 3 2 1 3 2 0 Jose Silva 3 1 0 1 2 2 Ivan Cespedes 3 1 1 1 2 0 Edward Vargas 4 0 0 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Luis Martinez-Gomez 6 1 0 0 1 7 0 Jhon Rosario 1 2 3 3 2 2 1 Sam Mettert 2 4 5 5 0 3 2 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-4, BB, R Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-4, 3 K Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-5 Owen Ayers: 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI, K Jonathon Long: 0-for-3, BB, K Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: 2-for-4, R Brooks Caple: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K Ariel Armas: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Jake Woodford. Chicago Cubs designated RHP Bryse Wilson for assignment. Iowa Rallies To Tie, Falls On Late Walk-Off The Iowa Cubs erased a four-run deficit only to lose 7-6 to the Toledo Mud Hens. Starter Grant Kipp lasted four innings and was tagged for five runs, including three home runs, on five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Iowa's offense answered in the seventh. Down 5-1, Jonathon Long launched a two-run homer. Owen Miller tripled home a run, and James Triantos followed with an RBI single to knot the score at 5-5. Iowa took the lead in the ninth when a Moisés Ballesteros sacrifice fly scored Owen Miller for a 6-5 edge, but the bullpen could not hold it. Doug Nikhazy absorbed the loss after allowing two runs in the bottom half. Long finished 2-for-4 with the homer and two RBI, Triantos went 3-for-5, Miller added a triple among his two hits, and Brett Bateman homered and doubled. Iowa left 11 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 4 2 2 1 1 0 Jonathon Long 4 1 2 2 1 0 BJ Murray 4 1 1 0 1 1 Owen Miller 5 2 2 1 0 0 James Triantos 5 0 3 1 0 0 Ben Cowles 4 0 2 0 0 0 Scott Kingery 4 0 0 0 0 2 Moisés Ballesteros 0 0 0 1 0 0 Eric Yang 1 0 0 0 0 0 Casey Opitz 3 0 1 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 4 0 0 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 4 5 5 5 2 7 3 Collin Snider 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 Aaron Bummer 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Liam Hendriks 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Doug Nikhazy 1 5 2 2 1 1 0 Knoxville's Early Lead Slips Away In Seventh The Knoxville Smokies jumped ahead early but could not hold on in a 4-3 loss to the Columbus Clingstones. Starter Jace Beck turned in a strong outing over four innings, allowing one run on four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts. Knoxville struck first in the opening inning when Carter Trice laced a two-run double to plate Alex Ramírez and Jefferson Rojas for a 2-1 lead. The Smokies added a run in the third as Rojas walked, moved to third, and scored on an Andy Garriola sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. The lead disappeared in the seventh, when the bullpen surrendered three runs and Tyler Schlaffer was charged with the loss after allowing three runs over 2 2/3 innings. Tyler Santana followed with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Trice drove in two, Rojas reached twice on walks and stole a base, and Ariel Armas singled. Knoxville left six runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez 4 1 1 0 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 2 2 0 0 2 1 Owen Ayers 4 0 0 0 0 1 Andy Garriola 2 0 1 1 0 1 Carter Trice 4 0 1 2 0 1 Edgar Alvarez 4 0 1 0 0 2 Karson Simas 4 0 0 0 0 3 Ariel Armas 3 0 1 0 1 1 Alex Madera 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jace Beck 4 4 1 1 4 8 0 Tyler Schlaffer 2 2/3 5 3 3 2 4 0 Tyler Santana 2 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 South Bend Powers Past Beloit Behind Kepley's Blast The South Bend Cubs collected 11 hits in a 7-3 win over the Beloit Sky Carp that was a continuation of the previous day's suspended game. Ethan Flanagan carried the pitching, working 4 2/3 innings and giving up two runs on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts to earn the win. "Opener" Jaxon Wiggins allowed a solo home run in his lone inning, and Brayden Spears closed with 3 1/3 scoreless innings for the save. South Bend broke through in the second when Kane Kepley crushed a three-run homer for a 3-1 lead. The Cubs pulled away in the eighth, scoring three times as Matt Halbach drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run and Christian Olivo delivered a two-run single. Jose Escobar led the way at 4-for-5 with a triple and a stolen base, Angel Cepeda went 3-for-4 with a steal, Kepley drove in three, and Olivo added two RBI. South Bend stranded 17 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 6 1 1 3 0 2 Josiah Hartshorn 6 0 1 0 0 2 Jose Escobar 5 2 4 0 1 0 Angel Cepeda 4 1 3 0 0 1 Logan Poteet 1 0 0 0 0 1 Justin Stransky 3 1 0 0 2 1 Matt Halbach 5 0 0 1 1 2 Michael Carico 2 0 0 1 3 2 Michael Hallquist 4 1 0 0 1 2 Christian Olivo 3 1 2 2 2 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jaxon Wiggins 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 Ethan Flanagan 4 2/3 3 2 2 0 5 1 Brayden Spears 3 1/3 2 0 0 0 3 0 Myrtle Beach's Lead Unravels In Bullpen Loss The Myrtle Beach Pelicans built an early lead but fell 7-4 to the Hickory Crawdads. Starter Brody McCullough was sharp across five innings, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Alexey Lumpuy tied the game in the third with a solo home run, and Myrtle Beach surged ahead in the fourth. Jose Silva ripped a two-run single, and Lumpuy followed with an RBI single to build a 4-1 cushion. The lead did not last. Henry Cone was charged with the loss and a blown save after allowing four runs, one earned, over 1 2/3 innings, and Emilio Ramos gave up two more runs across 2 1/3 innings as Hickory rallied. Lumpuy paced the offense at 4-for-5 with the homer and two RBI, Silva went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Edward Vargas reached three times. Three Myrtle Beach errors helped the opposition, and the Pelicans left 11 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Darlyn De Leon 5 1 0 0 0 0 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 1 0 1 2 Alexey Lumpuy 5 1 4 2 0 0 Eli Lovich 4 0 1 0 1 0 Derniche Valdez 5 0 0 0 0 2 Yahil Melendez 4 1 1 0 1 3 Edward Vargas 2 1 1 0 2 0 Jairo Diaz 4 0 1 0 0 1 Jose Silva 4 0 2 2 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Brody McCullough 5 2 1 1 0 5 0 Henry Cone 1 2/3 1 4 1 4 0 0 Emilio Ramos 2 1/3 2 2 2 1 3 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-2, 2 BB, SB, K Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-6, 2 K Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-6, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K Owen Ayers: 0-for-4, K Jonathon Long: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: 3-for-5, RBI Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 1-for-4, BB Ariel Armas: 1-for-3, BB, K Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 3 HR View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs signed free agent SS Luis Abreu to a minor league contract. RHP Jacob Wallace roster status changed by Chicago Cubs. Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Jacob Wallace to a minor league contract. Chicago Cubs optioned LHP Jordan Wicks to Iowa Cubs. Iowa Rallies In The Fifth To Down Toledo 6-4 Iowa erased an early deficit to beat the Toledo Mud Hens 6-4. Trailing 3-1 entering the fifth inning, the Cubs pushed across three runs to grab the lead. Owen Miller singled home BJ Murray and Moises Ballesteros to tie the game, and Ben Cowles followed with a sacrifice fly to score Miller for a 4-3 edge. Miller finished 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs, reaching base all five times he came to the plate. Murray went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and Brett Bateman added a double and a triple. James Triantos delivered a sacrifice fly in the seventh to score Murray, and Jonathon Long provided insurance with a solo home run, his eighth, in the eighth inning. Long finished 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, and a run batted in. Starter Andrew Wantz labored through 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits while walking five and striking out three. The bullpen settled things down from there. Iowa surrendered just one more run the rest of the way, and Eduarniel Nunez closed the door with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Iowa left 11 runners on base but did enough damage with runners in scoring position to secure the win. Owen Miller also made an impressive catch in the 8th to protect the lead for all those fans of good defense. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 5 0 2 0 0 1 Jonathon Long 5 2 2 1 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 0 0 0 0 0 0 BJ Murray 5 2 3 0 0 0 Moisés Ballesteros 5 1 1 0 0 2 Owen Miller 3 1 3 2 2 0 Ben Cowles 3 0 1 1 1 2 James Triantos 3 0 1 1 1 1 Christian Bethancourt 5 0 0 0 0 2 Scott Kingery 3 0 0 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Andrew Wantz 3 2/3 3 3 3 5 3 0 Corbin Martin 1 1/3 4 1 1 1 1 0 Antoine Kelly 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 Eduarniel Núñez 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 Nick Dean And A Ninth-Inning Single Lift Knoxville 1-0 The Knoxville Smokies won a taut pitcher's duel 1-0 over the Columbus Clingstones on a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth. With the game scoreless entering the final frame, Alex Ramirez singled home Alex Madera to end it. Ramirez drove in the game's only run, and Jefferson Rojas contributed a double in an otherwise quiet offensive night that produced just four hits. Karson Simas added a single and a stolen base, while Carter Trice and Owen Ayers each drew a walk. The Smokies were patient but could not string much together until the decisive rally in the ninth. The story was the pitching. Nick Dean was outstanding, throwing six scoreless innings and allowing four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts, a quality start that set the tone. Erian Rodriguez followed with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts, and Evan Taylor worked a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts to earn the win. Knoxville's staff combined for 12 strikeouts and did not allow a run all afternoon. The Smokies stranded just five runners and made the lone run they scratched across stand up, capitalizing in the ninth after eight frames without a run to walk off with the victory. It was a complete effort on the mound, with all three pitchers contributing to the shutout. Player AB R H RBI BB K Carter Trice 3 0 0 0 1 1 Jefferson Rojas 4 0 1 0 0 1 Owen Ayers 3 0 0 0 1 0 Alex Ramírez 4 0 1 1 0 0 Andy Garriola 3 0 0 0 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 3 0 0 0 0 0 Karson Simas 3 0 1 0 0 2 Ethan Hearn 3 0 0 0 0 2 Drew Bowser 3 0 1 0 0 2 Alex Madera 0 1 0 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nick Dean 6 4 0 0 1 7 0 Erian Rodriguez 2 2 0 0 1 3 0 Evan Taylor 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 South Bend's Early Lead Slips Away In 13-5 Loss At Beloit South Bend led briefly but was overwhelmed in a 13-5 loss at the Beloit Sky Carp. Beloit jumped ahead 4-1 through two innings, but the Cubs answered with four runs in the top of the third to take a 5-4 lead. Angel Cepeda singled to start the scoring, Matt Halbach singled home another run, Miguel Useche laced a ground-rule double to plate a third, and Mike Hallquist grounded out to bring in the go-ahead run. Halbach finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk, and Jose Escobar went 2-for-5 with a stolen base. Kane Kepley, batting leadoff, singled, stole a base, and scored a run, while Josiah Hartshorn reached three times on walks. The lead did not last. Starter Nazier Mule was charged with four runs on five hits over three innings, walking three and striking out four while surrendering a home run. Beloit tied the game in the sixth, took the lead in the seventh, and broke it open with five runs in the eighth to pull away. South Bend's staff issued eight walks on the night, and the Cubs left eight runners on base. The offense went quiet after the third-inning rally, and Beloit's late outburst turned a one-run game into a lopsided final. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 5 1 1 0 0 2 Josiah Hartshorn 2 1 0 0 3 2 Jose Escobar 5 1 2 0 0 1 Angel Cepeda 4 1 1 1 1 2 Logan Poteet 4 0 0 0 0 2 Matt Halbach 3 1 2 2 1 1 Miguel Useche 4 0 1 1 0 1 Michael Hallquist 4 0 0 1 0 1 Justin Stransky 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nazier Mulé 3 5 4 4 3 4 1 Jackson Brockett 3 2/3 3 4 3 3 4 1 Ethan Bell 0 1/3 2 0 0 1 0 0 Eli Jerzembeck 1 5 5 5 1 1 0 Late Rally And Melendez's Relief Carry Myrtle Beach 5-2 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans rallied late to defeat the Hickory Crawdads 5-2. Myrtle Beach scored first in the second inning when Jose Silva drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Eli Lovich. After Hickory took a 2-1 lead in the fourth, the Pelicans surged ahead in the sixth. Derniche Valdez tripled to score Lovich and tie the game, then Yahil Melendez singled to put Myrtle Beach on top 3-2. Lovich led the offense, going 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Valdez added two hits, including the triple, and Melendez reached base four times with a single and three walks. The Pelicans tacked on two more in the eighth on sacrifice flies from Geuri Lubo and Darlyn De Leon. Starter Pierce Coppola turned in a solid four innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. The bullpen was dominant behind him. Edwardo Melendez was terrific, tossing three and two-thirds hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts, and Jordan Henriquez finished with a scoreless 1 1/3. Myrtle Beach drew nine walks on the night and left nine runners on base, but timely hitting and shutdown relief carried the Pelicans to the win. Player AB R H RBI BB K Darlyn De Leon 4 0 0 1 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 0 0 1 2 Alexey Lumpuy 4 0 0 0 0 1 Eli Lovich 3 2 3 0 1 0 Derniche Valdez 4 1 2 1 0 0 Yahil Melendez 1 1 1 0 3 0 Jose Silva 1 1 0 1 3 1 Ivan Cespedes 3 0 0 0 1 2 Geuri Lubo 3 0 1 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Pierce Coppola 4 4 2 2 2 6 0 Edwardo Melendez 3 2/3 0 0 0 2 4 0 Jordan Henriquez 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-4, 2B, K Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-2, 3 BB, 2 K Kevin Alcantara: DNP Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-5, 2 K Owen Ayers: 0-for-3, BB Jonathon Long: 2-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI, K Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 3-for-3, 2B, BB Ariel Armas: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: DNP View full article

Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs activated RHP Bryse Wilson. Chicago Cubs placed LHP Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list retroactive to June 26, 2026. Appendicitis. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Jayden Murray to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Tyler Ferguson from Iowa Cubs. Iowa Cubs Tie It Late, Then Buffalo Erupts For Six In The 11th The Iowa Cubs clawed back to a 3-3 tie but the Buffalo Bisons unloaded for six runs in the 11th inning to claim a 9-3 decision. Starter Grant Kipp struck out seven over three and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, with two home runs accounting for the early damage. Iowa's middle relief steadied things, as Zac Leigh and Luis Peralta combined for four and one-third scoreless innings to keep the game within reach. Chas McCormick carried the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run while scoring twice and driving in a run. Christian Bethancourt added two hits and an RBI, and Brett Bateman reached three times on two hits and two walks. Moisés Ballesteros knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly that tied the game in the sixth. The bullpen unraveled in the 11th, when Vince Reilly and Collin Snider combined to allow six runs, the zombie runner coming around to score before a three-run home run blew the game open. Iowa left 11 runners on base, repeatedly working into scoring position without delivering the decisive hit. The loss spoiled a steady night from the top of the order and a competitive effort across the first ten innings. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 3 0 2 0 2 0 BJ Murray 5 1 1 0 0 0 Scott Kingery 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moisés Ballesteros 2 0 0 1 2 0 Kevin Alcántara 5 0 1 0 0 1 Jonathon Long 4 0 0 0 1 1 Owen Miller 4 0 0 0 1 1 Chas McCormick 4 2 3 1 0 0 James Triantos 1 0 1 0 0 0 Christian Bethancourt 5 0 2 1 0 1 Ben Cowles 5 0 0 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Grant Kipp 3 2/3 7 3 3 2 7 2 Zac Leigh 2 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Luis Peralta 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 Vince Reilly 2 2 4 3 3 1 0 Collin Snider 1 4 2 2 0 0 1 Knoxville Smokies Storm Back With A Seven-Run Eighth At Birmingham The Knoxville Smokies trailed 3-0 entering the eighth inning, then sent the lineup around for seven runs to seize a 7-3 win over the Birmingham Barons. The rally began with an unearned run, and leadoff man Hayden Cantrelle tied the game with a two-run single before Knoxville pulled ahead for good. Cantrelle finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, Carter Trice added a sacrifice fly and reached three times, and Andy Garriola delivered a two-run single. Edgar Alvarez capped the scoring with an RBI double, one of his two hits on the night. Starter Evan Taylor set the tone with four strikeouts over two innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk. Yenrri Rojas followed with two and two-thirds scoreless innings, working around two walks to hold the deficit at three. Tyler Schlaffer closed the door with two and one-third innings, striking out three and allowing one hit while protecting the lead. The Smokies needed only three hits across the first seven innings but bunched their offense when it counted, stranding just three runners on the night. Devin Ortiz and Ariel Armas each reached and came around to score during the eighth-inning outburst, and Jefferson Rojas worked a walk to help keep the line moving. The comeback turned a quiet evening into a decisive road victory, with the bullpen surrendering nothing after the seventh. Player AB R H RBI BB K Hayden Cantrelle 5 1 2 2 0 0 Jefferson Rojas 3 1 0 0 1 1 Carter Trice 1 0 1 1 1 0 Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 2 Andy Garriola 4 1 1 2 0 2 Edgar Alvarez 4 1 2 1 0 1 Ariel Armas 4 1 1 0 0 1 Ethan Hearn 4 1 0 0 0 0 Devin Ortiz 4 1 1 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Evan Taylor 2 3 1 1 1 4 0 Yenrri Rojas 2 2/3 0 0 0 2 0 0 Tyler Ras 2 4 2 2 1 1 0 Tyler Schlaffer 2 1/3 1 0 0 1 3 0 South Bend Cubs Roll Past Quad Cities Behind Wiggins And Two Homers The South Bend Cubs pounded out an 11-1 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits, building the lead early and never looking back. Jaxon Wiggins set the tone with three and two-thirds scoreless innings, striking out four while allowing just two hits and no walks. Ethan Flanagan finished with four innings of one-run ball and four strikeouts to close it out. The offense did its work in bunches, opening with three runs in the third and adding four more in the fifth, when Jose Escobar and Drew Bowser each homered. Escobar led the way at 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Bowser went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Angel Cepeda reached base four times, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and three runs scored. Leadoff man Kane Kepley tripled, drove in a run, and crossed the plate twice. South Bend tacked on single runs in the fourth and sixth before a two-run seventh pushed the margin to double digits. The Cubs drew eight walks and pressured the Quad Cities staff all night, leaving 10 on base only because they kept the line moving. With Wiggins dominant and the lineup productive top to bottom, South Bend controlled the game from the third inning on. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 4 2 1 1 1 1 Josiah Hartshorn 5 0 1 1 0 1 Matt Halbach 5 0 0 0 0 3 Angel Cepeda 3 3 2 2 2 1 Jose Escobar 4 1 3 3 1 0 Justin Stransky 4 1 1 0 1 0 Miguel Useche 3 1 0 1 1 2 Drew Bowser 4 1 2 2 1 1 Christian Olivo 4 2 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jaxon Wiggins 3 2/3 2 0 0 0 4 0 Adam Stone 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 Ethan Flanagan 4 4 1 1 0 4 0 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Cough Up The Lead In Salem's Five-Run Seventh The Myrtle Beach Pelicans carried a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, then watched Salem score five times to take an 8-5 decision. Starter Braylon Myers turned in three scoreless innings, allowing two hits with a strikeout, but the bullpen could not hold the advantage. Henry Cone absorbed the damage in the seventh, charged with five runs, two earned, over one and two-thirds innings, as defensive miscues extended the inning. Derniche Valdez paced the offense at 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, and Edward Vargas went 2-for-5 with a triple, an RBI, and two runs, his seventh-inning three-bagger briefly pushing the lead to 5-3 with a seldom seen inside the park home run. Ezequiel Pena chipped in two hits and an RBI. The Pelicans' biggest problem was efficiency, as they stranded 15 runners and repeatedly let scoring chances slip away. Myrtle Beach pieced together runs in the fourth, sixth, and seventh but could not add the cushion their baserunners suggested was available. Yoendris Gonzalez struck out five in two innings but surrendered three runs, and Sam Mettert provided a clean one and one-third to finish. A promising road night unraveled in a single frame, leaving the Pelicans to rue a stack of missed opportunities in an 8-5 loss. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 5 0 1 1 1 3 Alexis Hernandez 4 0 0 1 2 3 Michael Carico 3 0 0 0 2 2 Logan Poteet 5 0 0 0 0 5 Eli Lovich 5 0 1 0 0 1 Derniche Valdez 5 2 3 0 0 1 Edward Vargas 5 2 2 1 0 0 Ezequiel Pena 4 1 2 1 1 1 Yahil Melendez 0 0 0 0 0 0 Darlyn De Leon 4 0 1 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Braylon Myers 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 Yoendris Gonzalez 2 3 3 3 2 5 0 Henry Cone 1 2/3 4 5 2 2 3 0 Sam Mettert 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K Pedro Ramirez: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 K Kevin Alcantara: 1-for-5, 1 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-4, 3B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K Owen Ayers: DNP Jonathon Long: 0-for-4, 1 BB, 1 K Kaleb Wing: DNP James Triantos: 1-for-1 Brooks Caple: DNP Mason McGwire: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Eli Lovich: 1-for-5, 1 K Ariel Armas: 1-for-4, 1 K Jostin Florentino: DNP Grant Kipp: 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs activated LHP Matthew Boyd from the 15-day injured list. Chicago Cubs designated RHP Yosver Zulueta for assignment. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Gavin Hollowell to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Iowa Cubs. New York Mets traded LHP David Peterson to Chicago Cubs for 3B Cole Mathis. Pitching Collapse Sinks Iowa Against Buffalo Starter Corbin Martin lasted one and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on one hit with one walk and two strikeouts to take the loss and fall to 0-2. The game unraveled from there. Doug Nikhazy followed with two and two-thirds innings, surrendering four runs on three hits while walking five and striking out four. The fifth inning was the back-breaker, as the Buffalo Bisons plated eight runs. Tyler Beede recorded just two outs in the frame and gave up six runs on five hits, including two home runs, as the deficit ballooned. Iowa's offense managed only six hits and stranded eight runners. James Triantos led the way, going 2-for-4 with the club's lone RBI, a ninth-inning single that scored Kevin Alcántara for the only Iowa run. Moisés Ballesteros, BJ Murray, Scott Kingery, and Ben Cowles each added a hit, and Alcántara reached on a walk and scored. Antoine Kelly offered two scoreless innings of relief and Eric Yang added a scoreless frame, but the damage was long done. Catcher Casey Opitz finished the game on the mound and allowed three runs in the ninth. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 4 0 0 0 0 1 Moisés Ballesteros 3 0 1 0 1 0 BJ Murray 4 0 1 0 0 1 Jonathon Long 4 0 0 0 0 2 Kevin Alcántara 3 1 0 0 1 2 Chas McCormick 2 0 0 0 1 1 Casey Opitz 1 0 0 0 0 0 James Triantos 4 0 2 1 0 1 Scott Kingery 4 0 1 0 0 0 Ben Cowles 4 0 1 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Corbin Martin 1 2/3 1 2 2 1 2 0 Doug Nikhazy 2 2/3 3 4 4 5 4 1 Tyler Beede 0 2/3 5 6 6 1 1 2 Antoine Kelly 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 Eric Yang 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 Casey Opitz 1 3 3 3 3 0 0 Netz Spins Six Scoreless As Smokies Handle Birmingham Dawson Netz turned in a quality start, working six scoreless innings on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts to earn the win and improve to 5-1. The Smokies gave him an early cushion. Owen Ayers opened the scoring with a leadoff home run, his 14th, in the first inning, and Hayden Cantrelle doubled home Ariel Armas in the second to make it 2-0. Knoxville broke it open in the seventh when Ed Howard launched a two-run homer, his first of the year, scoring Cantrelle. Birmingham answered with a run in the eighth, but the Smokies tacked on an insurance run in the ninth when Karson Simas grounded out to bring home Cantrelle. Cantrelle was the offensive standout, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Ayers added a 2-for-3 day with a walk, and Howard drove in two. The bullpen finished the job behind Netz. Marino Santy fired one and two-thirds scoreless innings with three strikeouts, and Luke Little closed it with a scoreless ninth and two strikeouts. Tyler Ras allowed the only Birmingham run. Knoxville stranded six. Player AB R H RBI BB K Karson Simas 4 0 0 1 0 2 Jefferson Rojas 5 0 0 0 0 0 Owen Ayers 3 1 2 1 1 1 Alex Ramírez 4 0 0 0 0 1 Andy Garriola 4 0 0 0 0 1 Carter Trice 4 0 0 0 0 3 Ariel Armas 4 1 1 0 0 1 Hayden Cantrelle 4 2 3 1 0 0 Ed Howard 4 1 1 2 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Dawson Netz 6 2 0 0 1 2 0 Marino Santy 1 2/3 1 0 0 1 3 0 Tyler Ras 0 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 1 Luke Little 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 Bats Go Quiet As South Bend Falls To Quad Cities Mason McGwire took the loss in a four-inning start, allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts to fall to 1-1. The Quad Cities River Bandits did most of their damage early, scoring three times in the second inning and adding a run in the third to build a 4-0 lead. South Bend's offense never found a rhythm, managing just four hits and stranding only four runners. The Cubs scratched across their lone run in the fifth, when Jose Escobar doubled home Matt Halbach. Halbach had doubled and scored, while Kane Kepley and Josiah Hartshorn each singled, and Angel Cepeda drew a walk. The bullpen had mixed results. JP Wheat was excellent, striking out three in a perfect inning, and Grayson Moore recorded the final out with a strikeout. Nate Williams allowed a run over two innings. Luis Rujano struggled, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks while recording five outs, as Quad Cities pulled away with three runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach. All in all there were still some good defensive plays through out the night. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 3 0 1 0 0 1 Angel Cepeda 3 0 0 0 1 2 Josiah Hartshorn 4 0 1 0 0 0 Matt Halbach 4 1 1 0 0 1 Jose Escobar 4 0 1 1 0 1 Miguel Useche 3 0 0 0 0 1 Alex Madera 3 0 0 0 0 1 Drew Bowser 3 0 0 0 0 2 Christian Olivo 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Mason McGwire 4 7 4 4 2 4 0 JP Wheat 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 Nate Williams 2 2 1 1 1 2 0 Luis Rujano 1 2/3 2 3 3 4 1 0 Grayson Moore 0 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 Hernandez Delivers In Ninth As Pelicans Edge Salem The Pelicans rallied for a one-run win, and Alexis Hernandez was the catalyst, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI, including the go-ahead double in the ninth that scored Alexey Lumpuy for the decisive run. Myrtle Beach and Salem traded blows all afternoon. Jairo Diaz tied the game at two with an RBI single in the fourth, and the Pelicans took the lead in the fifth on a Logan Poteet groundout that scored Lumpuy and a Michael Carico single that scored Hernandez for a 4-3 edge. Salem answered with a tying run in the bottom of the fifth, and the score held until Hernandez broke it open in the ninth. Starter Kaleb Wing opened with a scoreless first, allowing no hits with a walk and two strikeouts. David Bracho followed with three innings and gave up three runs. Edwardo Melendez blew a save, allowing one run over three innings while striking out three, before Emilio Ramos slammed the door with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts to pick up the win and move to 1-0. Diaz finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Lumpuy scored twice. Myrtle Beach stranded eight. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 4 2 1 0 0 1 Alexis Hernandez 5 1 3 2 0 0 Eli Lovich 3 0 0 0 0 2 Logan Poteet 4 0 0 1 1 2 Michael Carico 3 1 1 1 1 1 Yahil Melendez 3 0 0 0 0 0 Derniche Valdez 3 0 0 0 1 2 Jairo Diaz 4 1 2 1 0 1 Darlyn De Leon 4 0 1 0 0 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kaleb Wing 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 David Bracho 3 7 3 3 2 2 0 Edwardo Melendez 3 2 1 1 2 3 0 Emilio Ramos 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 0-for-5 Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcantara: 0-for-3, 2 K Josiah Hartshorn: 1-for-4 Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 1-for-3, K Jonathon Long: 0-for-4, 2 K James Triantos: 2-for-4, K Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 2-for-3, HR, K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K Angel Cepeda: 0-for-3, 2 K Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Ty Southisene: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs designated RHP Eduarniel Núñez for assignment. Chicago Cubs placed RHP Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list. Left hamstring strain. Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ben Brown on the 15-day injured list retroactive to June 21, 2026. Neck strain. Chicago Cubs designated RHP Christian Roa for assignment. Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Gavin Hollowell from Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs sent LHP Luis Peralta outright to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs selected the contract of RHP Vince Velasquez from Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs claimed RHP Bryse Wilson off waivers from Philadelphia Phillies. Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Tyler Ferguson from Iowa Cubs. Iowa Plates 11 In The Fifth To Bury Buffalo The Iowa Cubs piled up 19 hits and 18 runs in a rout of the Buffalo Bisons. Kevin Alcántara led the way, going 4-for-5 with a grand slam, a double, and four runs batted in. Owen Miller added a home run, a double, and three RBI, James Triantos homered and drove in three, and Brett Bateman reached base four times with three runs scored. The decisive frame was the fifth, when Iowa sent a parade of hitters to the plate and scored 11 times. Owen Miller doubled home a run, Bateman singled in another, and back-to-back bases-loaded walks to Moisés Ballesteros and Jonathon Long pushed across two more. Alcántara then cleared the bases with his grand slam, and Triantos followed with a two-run homer to cap the outburst. Will Sanders started and worked five innings, allowing four hits and three runs, all earned, with three walks and four strikeouts. The bullpen had a rougher time, as Vince Reilly and Kenten Egbert combined to allow eight runs over the final three and a third innings, but the early cushion was more than enough. Player AB R H RBI BB K Brett Bateman 5 3 3 2 1 2 BJ Murray 4 2 3 0 1 1 Moisés Ballesteros 5 1 1 2 1 1 Jonathon Long 3 2 1 1 2 0 Kevin Alcántara 5 3 4 4 0 0 Owen Miller 4 2 3 3 1 0 James Triantos 4 2 3 3 0 1 Christian Bethancourt 3 1 0 0 2 0 Ben Cowles 4 2 1 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Will Sanders 5 4 3 3 3 4 1 Vince Reilly 1 2/3 3 4 4 3 0 2 Kenten Egbert 2 1/3 5 4 2 2 1 1 Rojas Homers Twice And Drives In Five To Pace Knoxville The Knoxville Smokies jumped on the Birmingham Barons early and held on for a 10-4 win. Jefferson Rojas was the catalyst, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and five runs batted in. Alex Ramírez chipped in three hits, and Andy Garriola added a home run and three RBI. Knoxville built its lead across the first three innings. Rojas opened the scoring with a solo homer in the first, and Ramírez doubled home another run that frame. In the second, Rojas struck again with a three-run blast that scored Hayden Cantrelle and Karson Simas, and Garriola's two-run homer in the third pushed the margin to 7-1. Nick Dean turned in the standout pitching performance, working five innings and allowing three hits and one run, with one walk and five strikeouts. Evan Taylor followed with two scoreless innings and four strikeouts to help close it out. Knoxville left 10 runners on base but did enough damage early to never trail. Player AB R H RBI BB K Karson Simas 5 1 0 0 1 2 Jefferson Rojas 5 2 3 5 1 1 Owen Ayers 4 2 2 0 1 1 Alex Ramírez 5 2 3 1 0 0 Andy Garriola 5 1 2 3 0 0 Edgar Alvarez 4 0 0 0 1 0 Carter Trice 4 0 2 0 1 0 Ariel Armas 4 0 0 0 1 2 Hayden Cantrelle 3 2 1 0 2 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Nick Dean 5 3 1 1 1 5 0 Yenrri Rojas 1 1 2 2 3 1 0 Evan Taylor 2 2 0 0 1 4 0 Kenyi Perez 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 Florentino And Hartshorn Lead South Bend Past Quad Cities The South Bend Cubs got a dominant start from Jostin Florentino and a big day from Josiah Hartshorn in an 8-1 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits. Hartshorn went 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs batted in, Ty Southisene added two hits and two runs scored, and leadoff man Kane Kepley reached base four times and scored three runs. South Bend struck immediately in the first, scoring three times. Hartshorn singled home Kepley, Matt Halbach reached on an error that brought in Southisene, and Jose Escobar's sacrifice fly scored Hartshorn. The lead held until the seventh, when Southisene and Escobar delivered run-scoring singles to extend the margin, and Hartshorn capped the night with a two-run homer in the eighth. Florentino set the tone on the mound, throwing four scoreless innings with one hit, two walks, and seven strikeouts. Brayden Spears followed with three and two-thirds innings, allowing one run while striking out six, and Ethan Bell recorded the final out. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley 2 3 0 0 2 0 Ty Southisene 4 2 2 1 1 0 Josiah Hartshorn 5 2 3 3 0 0 Matt Halbach 5 0 1 1 0 1 Angel Cepeda 4 0 2 0 1 1 Jose Escobar 3 0 1 2 1 1 Justin Stransky 3 0 0 0 1 0 Alex Madera 4 0 1 0 0 2 Christian Olivo 3 1 0 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jostin Florentino 4 1 0 0 2 7 0 Brayden Spears 3 2/3 3 1 1 0 6 0 Ethan Bell 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 Pelicans Rally Falls Short In One-Run Loss At Salem The Myrtle Beach Pelicans could not overcome an early deficit and dropped a 5-4 decision to the Salem Red Sox. Geuri Lubo led the offense, going 3-for-4, and Eli Lovich drove in two runs with a triple. The Pelicans dug themselves a hole behind starter Hayden Frank, who allowed six hits and five runs, all earned, with two home runs over three innings while striking out two. Myrtle Beach answered in the third, when Lovich tripled home Lubo and Alexis Hernandez to cut into the lead. Derniche Valdez doubled in a run in the sixth, and a sacrifice fly from Hernandez in the seventh brought the Pelicans within one. The bullpen kept them in it, as Jordan Henriquez and Sam Mettert combined for five scoreless innings out of relief, but the offense stranded six runners and could not push across the tying run. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alexey Lumpuy 3 0 0 0 1 2 Alexis Hernandez 3 1 0 0 1 1 Eli Lovich 4 0 1 2 0 1 Logan Poteet 4 1 1 0 0 1 Michael Carico 4 0 1 0 0 2 Derniche Valdez 4 0 1 1 0 3 Yahil Melendez 4 0 1 0 0 2 Edward Vargas 0 0 0 0 0 0 Geuri Lubo 4 2 3 0 0 0 Darlyn De Leon 4 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Hayden Frank 3 6 5 5 1 2 2 Jordan Henriquez 3 2 0 0 0 2 0 Sam Mettert 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jefferson Rojas: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Pedro Ramirez: DNP Kevin Alcántara: 4-for-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI Josiah Hartshorn: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI Ethan Conrad: DNP Kane Kepley: 0-for-2, 3 R, 2 BB Jonathon Long: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB James Triantos: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 1 K Cole Mathis: DNP Owen Ayers: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K Brooks Caple: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Kaleb Wing: DNP Angel Cepeda: 2-for-4, 1 BB, 1 K Dominick Reid: DNP Jostin Florentino: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K Ty Southisene: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 1 BB Will Sanders: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR Brandon Birdsell: DNP View full article

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