Travis Klosinski

At a Glance Iowa Cubs (73–72) – Lost two straight, and their postseason hopes are fading fast. Knoxville Smokies – Season concluded earlier in September. South Bend Cubs – Season concluded earlier in September. Myrtle Beach Pelicans – Season concluded earlier in September. Iowa Cubs (Triple-A) September 16 — Toledo 8, Iowa 4 Toledo struck early with a bases-clearing double in the first inning, but Iowa fought back in the middle frames. Miguel Amaya plated a run, Chase Strumpf doubled home another, and Rafael Morel’s two-run single briefly pushed the Cubs ahead 4–3. James Triantos collected three hits, setting the table throughout the night. The Mud Hens reclaimed momentum in the sixth with old friend Gage Workman’s three-run homer, part of a five-run frame that sealed Iowa’s fate. A highlight came in the fifth when Billy Hamilton entered as a pinch-runner and stole both second and third, a flash of trademark speed despite the eventual loss. September 17 — Toledo 5, Iowa 1 (Final/7, rain-shortened) The nightcap started with promise when Chase Strumpf launched a solo homer in the second, his 12th of the year, to tie the game 1–1. That would be Iowa’s lone run. Toledo responded with Jace Jung’s solo homer in the sixth and Andrew Navigato’s two-run double, stretching the margin to four. Jonathon Long singled in the sixth, but the Cubs managed only four hits overall. Rain cut the contest short after seven innings, finalizing the Mud Hens’ sweep. Knoxville Smokies (Double-A) The Smokies’ season concluded earlier in September. South Bend Cubs (High-A) The South Bend season has concluded. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A) The Pelicans’ season has also wrapped up. Closing Note Two straight losses to Toledo dropped Iowa to 73–72. Their elimination number is nearly gone, and one more stumble—or a rival win—could close out their postseason chase. Still, bright spots like Triantos’ multi-hit efforts and Strumpf’s late-season power surge show pieces of the next wave continuing to press forward. View full article

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At a Glance Iowa Cubs (72–67): Split two in Indianapolis; 5th in International League West, above .500 but on the playoff fringe. Knoxville Smokies (67–65): Took both from Montgomery; 3rd in Southern League North, still pushing for a late berth. South Bend Cubs (55–74 / 33–32 2nd Half): Eliminated from postseason despite second-half improvement. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (0–1): Dropped playoff opener to Columbia; must win next two to advance. Iowa Cubs The series in Indianapolis mirrored Iowa’s season: moments of resilience punctuated by missed opportunities. In the first game, the Cubs grinded through ten scoreless frames before finally exploding in the 11th. Caleb Kilian carried the staff through a high-wire 10th inning, stranding the winning run at third with a strikeout to extend the game. In the 11th, Hayden Cantrelle’s sacrifice bunt moved the ghost runner to third, and James Triantos’ fielder’s choice plated the first run. From there the floodgates opened: Long and Carlos Pérez each singled in runs, Rafael Morel doubled home two more, and Parker Chavers capped the seven-run frame. Iowa’s 7–0 victory was as lopsided as the box score suggests, driven by late patience and timely contact. On September 10, starter Antonio Santos was tagged for four runs in the first inning, capped by a three-run homer from Rafael Flores. Though Jonathon Long’s 20th blast and a two-run rally in the seventh gave Iowa life, the bullpen couldn’t stop the Indians’ steady push in an 8–3 defeat. Season snapshot: At 72–67, the I-Cubs are above water but stuck in 5th place in the IL West. With only a handful of games left, their elimination number is shrinking fast. Knoxville Smokies Knoxville kept its postseason hopes alive by playing its best baseball in Montgomery. In the first game, Brett Bateman walked and stole second to open the game, scoring on a wild pitch. Murray drilled a homer, and Nwogu added a two-run shot before Montgomery recorded the second out. That four-run first was all the cushion Tommy Romero needed, as he dealt six scoreless innings. The lineup didn’t stop there, adding four more in the late frames behind Pedro Ramirez and Murray’s bats to complete a 10–0 rout. On September 10, the Smokies trailed 2–0 into the eighth before erupting. Casey Opitz and Jordan Nwogu reached to set the stage, BJ Murray Jr. forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk, and Ethan Hearn followed with a two-run single to give Tennessee its first lead. Montgomery tied it in the bottom half, but Nwogu answered with a go-ahead single in the ninth and a wild pitch tacked on insurance. Tyler Santana closed it with strikeouts to seal a 5–3 win. Season snapshot: The Smokies are 67–65, sitting 3rd in the Southern League North. A postseason slot is still possible, but they’ll need to keep winning and hope the standings break their way. South Bend Cubs The South Bend Cubs did not play during this two-day window, but their season story is written. A rough first half buried them in the standings, yet a 33–32 second-half record showed progress. Their overall mark sits at 55–74, and by September 10, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Season snapshot: South Bend never quite found its stride early, but the stronger second half suggests a step forward for a roster in transition. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Playoff baseball opened in Myrtle Beach, but the Pelicans stumbled against Columbia in a 4–1 loss. Ty Southisene singled and scored on Cole Mathis’s first-inning double, but the bats fell silent from there. Columbia capitalized on defensive miscues and timely hits, plating two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. Season snapshot: Down 0–1 in a best-of-three semifinal, the Pelicans now face elimination and must win back-to-back games to keep their season alive. Closing Thoughts As the minor league year winds down, the Cubs’ affiliates sit in different places. Iowa is clinging to an outside shot, Knoxville is charging late, South Bend is eliminated but showing signs of growth, and Myrtle Beach is fighting for survival in the playoffs. Which affiliate do you believe has the best chance to extend the Cubs’ season into late September? View full article

Image courtesy of © Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At a Glance Iowa Cubs: 2-0 vs. Omaha, record 66-66 Knoxville Smokies: Split 1-1 vs. Rocket City, record 61-65 South Bend Cubs: Down 0-1 vs. Wisconsin, second game suspended (trail 2-1, B4), record 53-73 Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Split 1-1 vs. Columbia, record 67-58 Iowa Cubs vs. Omaha Iowa opened September by dominating the Storm Chasers. On September 2, the Cubs erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning, leading to a 12-0 rout. Carlos Pérez headlined with two home runs and five RBIs, while Austin Gomber and three relievers combined for a two-hit shutout. The next day was tighter, but Iowa still found a way to come out on top. After Omaha tied the game late, James Triantos came through with an RBI single in the eighth, giving the Cubs a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series edge. The victories nudged Iowa back to the .500 mark and kept their late-season momentum alive. Knoxville Smokies vs. Rocket City Tuesday night turned into frustration for Knoxville, who managed only four hits in a 1-0 loss. A lone RBI double was all Rocket City needed to edge past the Smokies, spoiling a solid start from Tommy Romero. The Smokies answered back on Wednesday. After seven innings ended tied 1-1, Knoxville exploded for four runs in the eighth. Ethan Hearn provided the decisive swing, delivering the game-winner in a 5-4 victory. The Smokies evened the series and snapped back from their offensive slump at the right time. South Bend Cubs vs. Wisconsin South Bend’s margin for error is gone, and Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to Wisconsin made things even tougher. Despite five scoreless innings from starter Dawson Netz and RBIs from the Hernandez brothers, the bullpen faltered late. A two-run double by Andrew Fischer in the seventh proved the backbreaker, and Beloit’s win elsewhere pushed South Bend to the brink of elimination. On Wednesday, the Cubs never got the chance to respond. Rain washed out play in the bottom of the fourth with Wisconsin leading 2-1. The suspended game will resume Thursday at 5:35 PM ET before the regularly scheduled contest. Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs. Columbia The Pelicans saw plenty of fireworks in this two-game stretch. On Tuesday, Angel Cepeda and Alexey Lumpuy homered, but the Fireflies outlasted Myrtle Beach 11-8 with a string of late runs. The script flipped Wednesday. Myrtle Beach struck for five runs in the third inning, powered by Christian Olivo’s triple and timely hits from Ty Southisene and Lumpuy. A wild pitch added more cushion, and the bullpen coasted to a 9-1 win that evened the set. Final Thoughts Four affiliates, four very different storylines -- Iowa’s surge, Knoxville’s resilience, South Bend’s stalled push, and Myrtle Beach’s split. Which club’s late-inning drama stood out most to you? View full article

Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance Iowa: 1–1 at Las Vegas, 59–63 overall, 9.5 GB IL West Tennessee: 1–1 at Birmingham, 55–58 overall, 7.0 GB SL North South Bend: 0–2 at Peoria, 30–25 second half (61–60 overall), T-1st MWL West Myrtle Beach: 1–1 at Fayetteville, 64–55 overall, 1st CL South (39–16 second half, magic #3) Triple-A Iowa Cubs August 26 – Las Vegas 10, Iowa 0 The I-Cubs were blanked in the series opener, shut down after four innings by a six-run rally from the Aviators. Antonio Santos worked into the fourth before Las Vegas capitalized with a pair of hit batters, a walk, and a bases-clearing home run from Max Schuemann. Iowa was held to just four hits, all singles, and struck out 11 times. August 27 – Iowa 11, Las Vegas 9 The bats answered back a night later with a back-and-forth slugfest. Carlos Pérez launched two home runs, including a decisive solo shot in the ninth, and Parker Chavers added a two-run double as part of Iowa’s eight-run outburst through the third inning. Forrest Wall doubled home a run, and James Triantos delivered a two-run single in the rally. Las Vegas chipped away with three runs in the third and tied the game at 8–8 by the end of the inning, but Iowa’s bullpen steadied late. Ethan Roberts and Riley Martin closed the door after Pérez’s go-ahead blast. Double-A Knoxville Smokies August 26 – Knoxville 6, Birmingham 2 The Smokies took the opener behind a balanced lineup. Pablo Aliendo’s three-run homer in the second set the tone, while Andy Garriola followed with a two-run shot in the fourth. Jefferson Rojas and Pedro Ramirez each singled to extend innings and add pressure, while starter Tommy Romero allowed just two runs across four innings. Evan Taylor and Chase Watkins combined for three scoreless frames in relief. August 27 – Birmingham 6, Knoxville 2 A night later, the tables turned. Pedro Ramirez homered to tie the game in the sixth, and Andy Garriola’s sacrifice fly briefly put Tennessee ahead in the seventh. But Birmingham stormed back with a five-run eighth, capped by Wilfred Veras’s bases-clearing triple. The Smokies managed eight hits but went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. High-A South Bend Cubs August 26 – Peoria 12, South Bend 1 South Bend’s road trip opened with a rough defeat. Recently promoted right-hander Dawson Netz made his High-A debut, striking out six in five innings, but the Chiefs piled on late with a nine-run eighth inning. Alexis Hernandez provided the lone highlight with his first Midwest League homer, a solo shot in the seventh. August 27 – Peoria 10, South Bend 2 The struggles continued a night later as the Cubs allowed double-digit runs for the second straight game. Kevin Valdez labored through three innings before Jack Neely yielded a solo homer in relief. Brian Kalmer belted his eighth home run in the seventh, extending Edgar Alvarez’s hitting streak to 10 games, but Peoria’s offense was relentless. Despite the two losses, South Bend remained tied for first in the West Division thanks to consecutive Beloit defeats. Quad Cities crept closer, trimming the gap to 1.5 games. Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans August 26 – Fayetteville 1, Myrtle Beach 0 The Pelicans dropped a narrow opener, undone by a solo homer from Arturo Flores in the fifth. Ty Southisene collected two of the team’s four hits and swiped two bases, while Alfredo Romero held Fayetteville to just three hits over five innings. The Pelicans stranded six runners and went hitless with runners in scoring position. August 27 – Myrtle Beach 5, Fayetteville 3 Myrtle Beach evened the series the following night with timely hitting. Eli Lovich grounded out to score the first run, and Christian Olivo and Southisene followed with RBI knocks in the second. Halbach and Kepley each homered to stretch the lead, while Thomas Mangus tossed three scoreless innings for the win. Fayetteville clawed back with two runs in the seventh, but Mathew Peters secured the save. Jose Escobar collected two hits, and the Pelicans trimmed their magic number to clinch the Carolina League South second-half title. South Bend has dropped the first two in Peoria but remains tied for first thanks to Beloit’s struggles. With Quad Cities closing the gap, which club do you see finishing strongest down the stretch in the Midwest League West? View full article

Image courtesy of © MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance Iowa Cubs: 1–1 vs. Sugar Land | Season: 59–62 Knoxville Smokies: 0–2 vs. Montgomery | Season: 55–59 South Bend Cubs: 1–1 vs. Cedar Rapids | Season: 50–65 Myrtle Beach Pelicans: 2–0 vs. Charleston | Season: 34–14 (59–53 overall) Iowa Cubs August 19 – Sugar Land 4, Iowa 3 Antonio Santos was charged with the loss despite yielding just two earned runs in five innings, striking out six. The I-Cubs fell behind early on a Pedro León homer and couldn’t fully recover despite late offense. James Triantos collected two hits, a double, a walk, and a stolen base. Carlos Pérez drove in a run with a double, while Kevin Alcántara also notched a multi-hit night. August 20 – Iowa 5, Sugar Land 0 Keegan Thompson fired two scoreless innings of relief for the win in a combined shutout, and the bats broke through in the eighth with five runs. James Triantos doubled in the go-ahead run before Jonathon Long and Carlos Pérez followed with run-scoring doubles of their own. Moisés Ballesteros added a single and reached twice. The victory gave Iowa a split across the two days. Knoxville Smokies August 19 – Montgomery 5, Knoxville 2 The Smokies managed just two runs in the loss. Ethan Hearn supplied the big swing with his sixth home run of the year, while Brett Bateman went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Starter Chase Watkins pitched four innings, allowing two unearned runs. August 20 – Montgomery 4, Knoxville 1 Knoxville couldn’t solve Montgomery’s pitching in a 4–1 defeat. Walker Powell kept the game close with three runs allowed in five innings, but the Biscuits scratched across runs in the third and fifth and tacked on insurance late. Pedro Ramirez doubled in the ninth to score Bateman for the Smokies’ lone run. Jefferson Rojas finished hitless, though he contributed defensively. South Bend Cubs August 19 – South Bend 3, Cedar Rapids 2 Connor Schultz struck out six over 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a pitchers’ duel. Ariel Armas extended his hit streak to six with an RBI double, and Brian Kalmer capped the night with a sacrifice fly to right that plated the winning run in walk-off fashion. August 20 – Cedar Rapids 6, South Bend 4 South Bend built an early 3–0 cushion on Alexis Hernandez’s two-run double in his first Four Winds Field at-bat. Kevin Valdez cruised through five innings before defensive miscues and a bases-loaded single from Poncho Ruiz flipped the game in the sixth. On rehab assignment, veteran reliever Eli Morgan worked a clean seventh. Cristian Hernandez doubled home a run in the eighth, but the Kernels held on. Myrtle Beach Pelicans August 19 – Myrtle Beach 8, Charleston 2 The Pelicans strung together a decisive fourth inning, scoring three runs on RBIs from Cepeda, Christian Olivo, and Ty Southisene. Cepeda later crushed a three-run homer in the seventh, finishing 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Eli Lovich tripled and drove in a run, while Victor Zarraga earned the win in relief. August 20 – Myrtle Beach 8, Charleston 7 (11 innings) Cepeda delivered again, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, while Dilan Granadillo launched his first homer of the season. Charleston briefly took a 7–5 lead in the 10th, but the Pelicans rallied with two outs as Cepeda doubled home a run and Granadillo tied it. In the 11th, Ty Southisene’s grounder plated Jose Escobar for the walk-off. Mathew Peters earned the win with a scoreless frame, while Escobar contributed three hits. View full article

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance Iowa Cubs: 1–1 vs. Worcester | Season: 56–60 Knoxville Smokies: 0–2 @ Rocket City | Season: 50–54 South Bend Cubs: 2–0 @ Beloit | Season: 24–19 (2nd Half) Myrtle Beach Pelicans: 1–1 @ Columbia | Season: 30–12 (2nd Half) Iowa Cubs August 12 – Worcester 7, Iowa 4 The I-Cubs traded early blows with Worcester before the WooSox broke through late. Owen Caissie tied the game with a solo homer in the fifth, and James Triantos’ RBI double in the sixth knotted it again at 3–3. But the bullpen couldn’t hold, allowing a go-ahead run in the seventh and three more in the ninth. Moisés Ballesteros added an RBI in the ninth as Iowa’s rally fell short. August 13 – Iowa 1, Worcester 0 A pitcher’s duel belonged to Jameson Taillon in his third rehab start. The right-hander delivered 5.1 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out four. The lone run came in the sixth, when Chase Strumpf singled in Triantos. Keegan Thompson bridged to the finish with 1.2 scoreless innings, earning his fourth win. Iowa improved to 56–60 and continues the homestand Thursday. Knoxville Smokies August 12 – Rocket City 5, Knoxville 0 Knoxville was limited to four hits and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Starter Antonio Santos allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings, while Jefferson Rojas doubled in the fourth for the Smokies’ lone extra-base hit. Rocket City broke the game open with a Colás two-run homer in the eighth. August 13 – Rocket City 5, Knoxville 0 The Smokies again struggled to solve Trash Pandas pitching. Grant Kipp was charged with four runs (two earned) in four-plus innings, with two balks bringing in runs during the fifth. Knoxville’s best chance came in the second inning, loading the bases with one out, but a double play ended the threat. The offense struck out 15 times and left six on base, slipping to 50–54 on the season. South Bend Cubs August 12 – South Bend 4, Beloit 2 Connor Schultz tossed five innings of one-run ball, aided by Kade Snell’s home run robbery in the fifth. The Cubs were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position until the seventh, when Edgar Alvarez’s two-run single capped a three-run frame. Rafael Morel’s RBI double in the eighth provided insurance. The bullpen held, though Kenyi Perez walked the bases loaded in the ninth before Jackson Kirkpatrick induced a game-ending double play. August 13 – South Bend 12, Beloit 1 Erian Rodriguez fanned a career-high nine over five shutout innings, and the offense rolled to a division-shaping win. Rafael Morel went 4-for-6 with three RBIs, Drew Bowser drove in five, and the Cubs walked 11 times for the second straight game. A six-run eighth inning sealed the rout, bringing South Bend into a tie for first in the Midwest League West second-half standings. Myrtle Beach Pelicans August 12 – Myrtle Beach 10, Columbia 1 Matt Halbach’s two-run performance highlighted a balanced attack, with a homer, sacrifice fly, and three RBIs. Alfredo Romero spun five shutout innings, and the Pelicans scored in five different frames. Ty Southisene added two hits and two RBIs, while Christian Olivo drove in a pair. Myrtle Beach left 11 on base but went 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position. August 13 – Columbia 7, Myrtle Beach 6 (10 in.) Kevin Camacho allowed one run over five innings, and Myrtle Beach built a 5–1 lead by the ninth on a three-RBI night from Kane Kepley. But Columbia rallied with four runs in the ninth to force extras, then walked it off in the tenth. Angel Cepeda’s RBI double play briefly put the Pelicans ahead in extras, but a pair of Fireflies runs ended it. The series sits at 1–1 heading into Thursday. View full article

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance Affiliate Series Record Season Record Iowa Cubs 1–1 @ Toledo & St. Paul 49–60 Knoxville Smokies 1–1 vs. Biloxi 59–49 South Bend Cubs 2–0 vs. Fort Wayne 42–61 Myrtle Beach Pelicans 0–1 vs. Fredericksburg 51–49 Iowa Cubs August 5 – St. Paul 10, Iowa 5 The I-Cubs' pitching just didn't show up for this one, as starter Chris Kachmar got lit up to the tune of six runs, four hits, and five walks in just 3 2/3 innings. Gavin Hollowell also gave up four runs in his lone inning of work, though none of them were earned thanks to a throwing error from Ben Cowles. At least Miguel Amaya and Moises Ballesteros combined for three hits and three RBIs. August 6 – Iowa 7, St. Paul 4 In a bounce-back win to open a road set in Minnesota, Iowa erupted for six runs in the seventh inning to erase a deficit and secure a 7–4 victory. The offense capitalized on erratic pitching from the Saints' bullpen, even though Taj Bradley delivered a strong start with six quality innings. Knoxville Smokies August 5 – Smokies 5, Shuckers 4 Trailing 4–3 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Smokies found late-inning magic. Pedro Ramirez drew a walk and later scored the tying run on a throwing error, then Reivaj Garcia followed with a go-ahead single. Brad Deppermann shut the door with a scoreless ninth, and Tyler Santana earned the win with two clean frames. Jaylen Palmer’s two-run triple was the early spark. August 6 – Shuckers 8, Smokies 4 The Smokies carried a 1-run lead into the eighth but were undone by sloppy relief work and a costly error. Biloxi erupted for six runs in the frame off Mitchell Tyranski and Zac Leigh, and Knoxville’s ninth-inning push fell short despite a two-run single by Brett Bateman. Jefferson Rojas reached base four times and Pedro Ramirez stole his 26th bag. South Bend Cubs August 5 – South Bend 6, Fort Wayne 5 South Bend rallied from an early 3–0 hole and held on late for a 6–5 win. Debuting outfielder Kade Snell doubled in his first professional at-bat, and Ariel Armas delivered a 3-for-3, four-RBI performance that included a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth. Connor Schultz struck out six across five innings, and Luis Rujano earned the save after a nail-biting ninth. August 6 – South Bend 8, Fort Wayne 2 The Cubs pounced on the TinCaps bullpen and never looked back. Armas doubled twice and drove in four more runs, becoming the first player in South Bend Cubs history with three different 3-hit, 4-RBI games in the same season. Erian Rodriguez earned the win with six solid innings, while the bullpen trio of Yency Almonte, Grayson Moore, and Kenyi Perez closed the door. Myrtle Beach Pelicans August 5 – Fredericksburg 7, Myrtle Beach 3 The Nationals ambushed Ronny Lopez for five first-inning runs, including a grand slam by Angel Feliz, and held off the Pelicans from there. Angel Cepeda cut the deficit with a two-run homer in the fourth, and Myrtle Beach’s bullpen kept things close, but the offense couldn’t complete the comeback. August 6 – Postponed Wednesday’s game was postponed due to rain. The teams will play a doubleheader on August 7 beginning at 6:05 PM ET. View full article

Image courtesy of © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance: Iowa Cubs: 0–2 vs. St. Paul | Season: 50–54 Knoxville Smokies: 1–1 @ Chattanooga | Season: 60–45 South Bend Cubs: 0–2 vs. Quad Cities | Season: 37–60 Myrtle Beach Pelicans: 0–2 @ Charleston | Season: 47–48 Iowa Cubs St. Paul 6, Iowa 3 (July 29) The I-Cubs fell behind early and couldn’t recover in the opener, with starter Walker Powell surrendering four runs over five innings. Bradlee Beesley homered for Iowa, his fourth of the season, and David Bote doubled twice in a two-hit game. Matt Mervis reached three times but was stranded each time as the Cubs went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. St. Paul 10, Iowa 2 (July 30) A four-run first inning set the tone as St. Paul rolled in the finale. Riley Thompson was chased after just 1 1/3 innings, and the bullpen couldn’t contain the Saints, who posted 10 runs on 14 hits. Owen Caissie doubled and walked, while Mervis added an RBI single. Jordan Wicks, on rehab, threw a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts. Knoxville Smokies Chattanooga 8, Knoxville 4 (July 29) Starter Brandon Birdsell was tagged for six runs in just 3 2/3 innings, and a late Smokies rally fell short. Moisés Ballesteros doubled and singled, while Matt Shaw also reached twice. Haydn McGeary launched his 13th homer of the year, a solo shot in the ninth, but the bullpen couldn’t keep the Lookouts from tacking on insurance runs. Knoxville 4, Chattanooga 1 (July 30) The Smokies bounced back behind seven strong frames from Tyler Schlaffer, who allowed just one run and struck out six. Pablo Aliendo opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third—his seventh—and later singled. Jordan Nwogu had three hits, stole his 17th base, and drove in two runs during a critical seventh-inning rally that broke the game open. Zac Leigh and Brad Deppermann worked perfect eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to seal the win. South Bend Cubs Quad Cities 2, South Bend 0 (July 29) Despite a quality start from Connor Schultz, who allowed one run over six innings, the Cubs were blanked at the plate. South Bend managed just two singles—one each from Alfonsin Rosario and Jose Escobar—while Quad Cities starter Tyson Guerrero struck out nine in six scoreless frames. Quad Cities 2, South Bend 1 (July 30) Erian Rodriguez pitched seven strong innings, striking out five and allowing only one earned run, but again the bats came up short. Edgar Alvarez provided the lone offense with a solo homer in the seventh, his fifth of the year. Rehabbing Cub Yency Almonte made his first appearance since May 2024 and struck out two in a perfect eighth inning. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Charleston 4, Myrtle Beach 2 (July 29) Ronny Lopez tossed five shutout innings in just his second Carolina League start, and the Pelicans led 2-0 heading into the eighth thanks to back-to-back RBI doubles by Leonel Espinoza and Jose Escobar. But the bullpen faltered late, with Luis Reyes allowing four runs in the bottom of the frame on a wild pitch and a trio of RBI singles. Charleston 4, Myrtle Beach 3 (July 30) The RiverDogs again used a late-inning surge to edge the Pelicans, spoiling a strong bullpen effort. Myrtle Beach clawed back in the ninth behind a two-run double from Alexis Hernandez but came up short with the tying run on base. Dawson Netz shined in his Pelicans debut with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, while Matt Halbach and Jose Escobar added two hits each. View full article

Image courtesy of © Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Triple-A – Iowa Cubs (0–2 at Louisville) Season: 43–55 It was a milestone night for Owen Caissie on Tuesday, who went 5-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, and three singles in Iowa’s 9–4 loss. The 21-year-old slugger became the first Iowa Cub this season to record five hits in a game and reached the 20-home-run mark in the process. Despite his heroics, Louisville responded with a balanced attack, capitalizing on three errors and tagging starter Chris Kachmar for four earned runs over five innings. Christian Encarnacion-Strand drove in five, including a three-run homer in the fifth that broke things open. On Wednesday, Iowa again started strong offensively with a solo homer from Jonathon Long—his 15th of the year—but a five-run sixth inning for Louisville buried any comeback hopes. Caissie added another two hits, finishing the series 7-for-9, but bullpen struggles and defensive lapses led to a 13–6 loss, Iowa’s fifth in a row. Double-A – Knoxville Smokies (0–2 vs. Pensacola) Season: 52–48 Knoxville opened its home series with a grueling 13-inning loss on Tuesday, blowing a two-run lead in the ninth before falling 6–4. Starter Antonio Santos allowed just one hit over three scoreless innings, but the bullpen couldn’t hold a 3–1 edge late. Pensacola rallied for two in the ninth and plated three more in the 13th, capitalizing on a lead-off walk and defensive miscommunication to take control. The Smokies managed only one hit after the eighth inning and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The bats stayed quiet on Wednesday in a 5–2 defeat. Sam Armstrong allowed four runs in four innings, including a two-run homer in the third. Knoxville scored twice on RBI singles from Haydn McGeary and Kevin Alcántara, but the offense left eight men on base. The Smokies have now lost five straight and slipped out of the division lead in the Southern League North. High-A – South Bend Cubs (2–0 at Dayton) Season: 41–54 South Bend stayed hot in Dayton, opening the series Tuesday with a 9–2 victory highlighted by a six-run sixth inning. Rafael Morel’s bases-clearing double broke open a 3–2 game, and Brian Kalmer followed with a two-run home, his 14th of the season. Connor Schultz allowed two runs across 4.2 innings, and Evan Taylor tossed 2.1 scoreless frames to pick up the win. The Cubs made it four wins in five games on Wednesday with a 6–2 decision. Pedro Ramirez reached base three times and scored twice, while Andy Garriola and Jefferson Rojas each drove in runs during a four-run fourth inning. South Bend’s bullpen held Dayton to just one hit over the final five innings, securing the series with back-to-back double-digit hit totals. Single-A – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2–0 vs. Columbia) Season: 49–49 The Pelicans returned home and quickly extended their winning streak to five games with a pair of sharp wins over Columbia. On Tuesday, Owen Ayers opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the first inning—his eighth of the year. Alexey Lumpuy added a two-run shot in the fourth, and the bullpen combined for five scoreless innings to seal a 9–3 win. Myrtle Beach kept rolling Wednesday, jumping out early again and riding strong defense to a 6–2 victory. Cristian Hernandez doubled twice and scored twice, while Ariel Armas reached base in all four plate appearances. Starter Marino Santy allowed one earned run over five innings, and reliever Saul Gonzalez notched his fifth save. The Pelicans returned to .500 with the sweep and sit just two games back in the Carolina League South second-half race. Affiliate Record, Series Notable Performances Iowa Cubs 43–55, 0–2 at Louisville Caissie: 7-for-9, HR, 2B, 3 RBI Knoxville Smokies 52–48, 0–2 vs. Pensacola 13-inning loss, 5-game losing skid South Bend Cubs 41–54, 2–0 at Dayton Morel, Kalmer lead 6-run inning Myrtle Beach Pelicans 49–49, 2–0 vs. Columbia Ayers, Lumpuy homer; five straight wins View full article

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance (July 8–9, 2025) Iowa Cubs 2–1 at St. Paul (48–44 overall) Knoxville Smokies 1–2 vs. Montgomery (40–44) South Bend Cubs 2–1 vs. Wisconsin (40–45) Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2–1 vs. Kannapolis 39–46 Iowa Cubs (Triple‑A) July 8 – Loss, 11-5 at St. Paul Owen Caissie hit two solo homers on his 23rd birthday, bringing his total to 18. Greg Allen added a pinch-hit two-run homer. Will Sanders allowed five runs (two earned) over 5 innings, and Riley Martin surrendered a three-run shot in the 7th. Moisés Ballesteros, Ben Cowles, and Christian Franklin each doubled, with Cowles and Franklin also stealing a base. July 9 – Loss, 5–3 at St. Paul Connor Noland threw 5⅔ innings in relief, giving up two earned runs. Ballesteros doubled twice with an RBI, Jonathan Long added two doubles and a run, and Caissie reached base twice and scored both times. Knoxville Smokies (Double‑A) July 8 – Win, 5–4 vs. Montgomery Knoxville rallied with two runs in the 8th and walked it off in the 9th. Andy Garriola went 2-for-3 with two runs scored; Pedro Ramirez drove in two, including a tying sacrifice fly. Sam Armstrong struck out seven over 4⅓ innings. Brad Deppermann earned the win, and A.J. Puckett recorded his 13th save. July 9 – Loss, 7-5 vs. Montgomery The Smokies built a 5–0 lead but gave up seven unanswered runs. Grant Kipp pitched 4 innings before handing it over to a bullpen that faltered. Reivaj Garcia and BJ Murray Jr. each had two hits and an RBI. South Bend Cubs (High‑A) July 8 – Win, 13–4 vs. Wisconsin South Bend exploded for four homers—Jefferson Rojas, Brian Kalmer, Ariel Armas, and Cameron Sisneros all went deep. Brooks Caple went 6 innings, allowing four runs. Evan Taylor and Kenyi Perez combined for 3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. July 9 – Win, 3–1 vs. Wisconsin Evan Aschenbeck pitched 7 innings of one-run ball. Cameron Sisneros drove in a key run with a single in the 5th. Grayson Moore escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 8th, and Jackson Kirkpatrick notched his first High-A save. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single‑A) July 8 – Loss, 9-2 at Kannapolis Kannapolis tagged Hayden Frank for six runs over 5 innings as the Pelicans struggled to keep pace. Christian Olivo led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Matt Halbach added an RBI single in the 6th, but the team went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base. July 9 – Win, 3–2 vs. Kannapolis Ethan Flanagan steadied the Pelicans with 5 innings of one-run ball. Christian Olivo’s two-run double in the 2nd set the tone, and Owen Ayers added a sacrifice fly in the 3rd. Leonel Espinoza tripled and scored the deciding run on Eli Lovich’s groundout in the 8th. Luis Reyes (1⅔ IP) earned the win, and Brayden Spears closed it out for his fifth save. View full article

Image courtesy of © Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance Affiliate Record Series Status Iowa Cubs (AAA) 45–49 Split 1–1 vs Omaha Knoxville Smokies (AA) 36–39 Trail 0–1 at Rocket City South Bend Cubs (A+) 28–49 Split 1–1 at Peoria Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A) 34–41 Lead 2–0 at Charleston Iowa Cubs (Triple‑A) — Split 1–1 vs Omaha July 1 – Loss 7–10 DES MOINES – The I‑Cubs erased a five-run deficit but fell in the ninth inning. Kevin Alcántara hit a three-run homer, his ninth of the season, in the fifth inning, and Carlos Pérez tied the game in the eighth with his 17th long ball. Moisés Ballesteros went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, and James Triantos added a pair of hits, including a double. The bullpen allowed a late run, handing Omaha the win. July 2 – Win 10–6 Iowa rebounded behind Will Sanders, who allowed one earned run over five innings with five strikeouts, earning his fourth win of the year. Alcántara stayed hot with his 10th homer, while Pérez added his 18th and a double. Christian Franklin reached base five times, going 2-for-2 with three walks and a stolen base. Ballesteros contributed two RBIs before exiting with cramps. The I‑Cubs built a 10–3 lead by the seventh and held off a late Omaha rally. Knoxville Smokies (Double‑A) — Split 1-1 at Rocket City July 1 – Win 3-1 The Smokies won a low-scoring affair against the Trash Pandas, notching 10 hits. BJ Murray Jr. was the offensive standout, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. July 2 – Loss 1–9 HUNTSVILLE – The Smokies stumbled out of the gate in Game 2 at Rocket City and never found their footing in a 9–1 loss. Starter Nick Dean struck out six across 3⅓ innings but was tagged for six earned runs on seven hits, including a pair of RBI doubles that put the Trash Pandas firmly in control. Offensively, Knoxville managed just four hits on the night. Jordan Nwogu provided a bright spot, going 2-for-4 and driving in the Smokies’ lone run with a sixth-inning single that scored Pedro Ramirez. Ramirez also contributed a hit and a run, but the Smokies went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base. South Bend Cubs (High‑A) — Down 0-2 at Peoria July 1 – Loss 1-5 PEORIA – South Bend scores one in the first and never got on the board again. Brooks Caple delivered a solid start, going five innings and allowing three runs while striking out four. July 2 – Loss 2–21 It was a doozy at Dozer Park. Peoria exploded for 21 runs on 21 hits, their first 20-plus run game since 2004. Hernandez plated Trice with a first-inning sacrifice fly and later blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third, extending his on-base streak to 15 games. He finished 2-for-3 with two extra-base hits and two RBIs. Rojas singled in the first to extend his streak to 14 games. Drew Gray, returning from the injured list, threw two strong innings before surrendering a third-inning grand slam. Peoria batted around twice and scored 16 more runs over the next four frames to bury South Bend. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single‑A) — Lead 2–0 at Charleston July 1 – Win 2–1 CHARLESTON – Leonel Espinoza turned a pitchers’ duel in the Pelicans’ favor with a two-run homer in the eighth. Starter Will Frisch worked five innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts. Relievers Yoendris Gonzalez and Luis Martinez-Gomez combined for four scoreless innings to secure the win. Matt Halbach went 2-for-3, while Alexey Lumpuy added a triple. July 2 – Win 10–0 The Pelicans unleashed a five-run sixth inning to put the game out of reach, while Ethan Flanagan pitched six shutout innings with three hits, nine strikeouts, and two walks. Alexis Hernandez went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Eli Lovich added two RBIs, and Ty Southisene scored three times. Espinoza contributed an RBI double and three walks, while relievers Ethan Bell and Luis Reyes closed out the shutout. Charleston went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base. System Highlights Cristian Hernandez: 15-game on-base streak with a home run, sacrifice fly, and multi-hit night in the blowout loss. Leonel Espinoza: Go-ahead homer on July 1, patient plate appearances on July 2. Kevin Alcántara and Carlos Pérez: Homered in back-to-back games for Iowa. Ethan Flanagan: Career-high nine strikeouts in the Pelicans’ shutout win. View full article

Image courtesy of Dylan Heuer/Iowa Cubs Standings (As of June 18) Iowa Cubs (AAA, IL West): 41–29, 10 games back of first place Knoxville Smokies (AA, SL North): 30–36, 6 games back South Bend Cubs (High-A, MWL East): 19–41, 21 games back Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A, Carolina South): 26–39, 9 games back Series Summary (June 17–18) Iowa @ Nashville: 1–1 Knoxville vs. Biloxi: 0–2 South Bend @ Lake County: 1–1 Myrtle Beach vs. Fayetteville: 1–1 Iowa Cubs (Triple-A) June 17 @ Nashville – Lost 9–0 The I-Cubs were shut out in a frustrating loss, with Owen Caissie collecting all four of the team's hits in a 4-for-4 performance that included a double. Kenta Maeda worked six innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits. Eli Morgan, on rehab assignment, struggled in relief and was charged with four earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Iowa went hitless with runners in scoring position and committed a costly defensive error. June 18 @ Nashville – Won 5–3 Moisés Ballesteros came through in the clutch, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. His fifth-inning two-run double flipped a 3–2 deficit into a 4–3 lead. Ben Cowles added a sixth-inning insurance run with an RBI double. Starter Will Sanders pitched five innings and allowed three runs while working through a 53-minute rain delay. The bullpen, anchored by Manny Rodriguez and closer Nate Pearson, secured the win with four innings of scoreless relief. Knoxville Smokies (Double-A) June 17 vs Biloxi – Lost 9–8 Knoxville's offense exploded for 13 hits, including a home run by Pablo Aliendo and a four-hit night from Jordan Nwogu. Pedro Ramirez tripled, walked, and scored three times in an energized performance. Starter Chris Kachmar went four innings with five strikeouts, but the bullpen faltered late. Frankie Scalzo Jr. gave up the game-tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth, despite inheriting two runners and recording two outs. June 18 vs Biloxi – Lost 6–2 BJ Murray Jr. stayed hot with his 11th homer of the season, a solo shot in the fourth. Pedro Ramirez added a single and executed a steal of home on a squeeze play involving Corey Joyce. Sam Armstrong gave up five runs across five innings and took the loss. The Smokies were limited to just four hits and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. South Bend Cubs (High-A) June 17 @ Lake County – Lost 10–2 It was a rough outing for Brooks Caple, who issued five walks and hit a batter in four innings, giving up five runs. The bullpen was similarly shaky, and two South Bend errors made matters worse. Cameron Sisneros impressed in his High-A debut with two doubles and an RBI. James Triantos, on rehab, added a double and stolen base, while Ariel Armas contributed another extra-base hit. June 18 @ Lake County – Won 4–2 South Bend rebounded behind a dominant start from Tyler Schlaffer, who threw seven innings of two-hit ball, allowing just one earned run and striking out five. Jefferson Rojas doubled twice, drove in two, and scored twice to lead the offense. Cameron Sisneros followed up his debut with two more RBI doubles. Carter Trice reached base and scored on Rojas' eighth-inning hit that helped seal the game. Eduarniel Nunez closed it down for the save. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A) June 17 vs Fayetteville – Lost 5–2 Yenrri Rojas struggled early, giving up four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Yahil Melendez stood out at the plate with an RBI single and two stolen bases. Alexey Lumpuy added two outfield assists and a diving catch that saved extra bases. Myrtle Beach was just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base. June 18 vs Fayetteville – Won 8–7 (Walk-Off) In one of the most exciting games of the year, Myrtle Beach stormed back from a 7–3 deficit. Yahil Melendez led the charge with a triple, a run scored, and an RBI. Will Frisch struggled, surrendering seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Chris Clarke turned in a brilliant relief outing, striking out seven in 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Leonel Espinoza’s two-hit effort tied the game in the ninth, and Owen Ayers scored the game-winner after reaching on an error. Midweek Analysis Iowa appears to be stabilizing, led by Caissie’s consistency and Ballesteros’ production in the heart of the lineup. The Smokies continue to hit but lack late-game relief consistency, a recurring issue in June. South Bend is gaining traction as Schlaffer’s return bolsters a rotation now featuring productive new faces like Sisneros. Myrtle Beach’s youthful lineup is playing loose and with flair—highlighted by back-to-back dynamic performances from Melendez and Clarke. View full article

Moises BallesterosKevin AlcantaraOwen CaissieCristian HernandezJefferson RojasJaxon WigginsJames TriantosJonathon LongBrandon BirdsellCole MathisRyan GallagherChristian FranklinPedro RamirezWill SandersIvan BrethowrNazier MuleFernando CruzJuan TomasAngel CepedaBJ Murray Jr

Moises BallesterosKevin AlcantaraOwen CaissieCristian HernandezJefferson RojasJaxon WigginsJames TriantosJonathon LongBrandon BirdsellCole MathisRyan GallagherChristian FranklinPedro RamirezWill SandersIvan BrethowrNazier MuleFernando CruzJuan TomasAngel CepedaBJ Murray Jr