CBT847

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 21) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals): Cubs win, 3-2 Season Record: 63–82-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies 2026 Season Record: 73-64 High-A South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 63–82-1 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers (65-81) Series Standing: Win, 3-2 Sept. 20: The Iowa Cubs ended the 2026 season with a 14-3 defeat to the Omaha Storm Chasers on Sunday at Werner Park. The Storm Chasers jumped out to a 4-0 after scoring twice in the first and second innings before Ben Cowles (1-for-4) cut the lead in half with a two-run homer, his ninth of the campaign. Omaha responded with a run in the home half of the fourth and would eventually 13-2 after seven. Jackson Cluff (1-for-3) picked up an RBI-single in the eighth before the Storm Chasers scored in the bottom of the inning to make it 14-3. Kohl Franklin got the start on the mound for the I-Cubs and suffered the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season. Franklin allowed four runs, two earned, on two hits over two innings of work, walked four and struck out one. Riley Martin, making his first rehab appearance with Iowa and first overall appearance since April 23, whiffed a pair of batters in his perfect inning in relief. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies 2026 Season Record 73-64 The Knoxville Smokies season came to an end last Thursday following a 13-3 defeat to the Rocket City Trash Pandas in game 2 of the Southern League Division Series. The Smokies finished the regular season with a 73-64 record, the second-best mark in the league. High-A: South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 The South Bend Cubs season came to an end on Sept 11, falling to the Quad City River Bandits in game 2 of the Midwest League Division Series. The Cubs finished the regular season with a 77-51 record, a league best mark. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ season came to an end on September 4 after both of their contests on September 5 and September 6 were rained out. The Pelicans finished the 2026 season with a 50-77 record. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 19) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals): Cubs lead, 3-0 Season Record: 62–81-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies 2026 Season Record: 73-64 High-A South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 62–81-1 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers (64-80) Series Standing: Lead, 3-0 Sept. 18: The Iowa Cubs swept their doubleheader on Friday at the Omaha Storm Chasers, winning the opener, 2-1, and the nightcap, 10-2. The sweep pushed their winning streak to four games, their longest such streak since also winning four-straight from Aug. 26-29, also against the Storm Chasers. Game 1: The Cubs earned a 2-1 victory in their doubleheader opener, claiming a third-straight win. Chas McCormick (0-for-3) brought in a run with a groundout in the first and Austin Wynns (1-for-2) doubled the lead with a solo shot in the second, his first homer of the season. Justin Steele started on the mound for the I-Cubs and spun two scoreless frames, firing five strikeouts and walking just one. Grant Kipp followed in relief and would eventually pick up the win, improving to 4-0 on the year, thanks to three innings of one-run ball, giving up one hit, walking one and punching-out three. The Storm Chasers would score their lone tally of the contest in the fourth inning but Tyler Ferguson would keep them off the board over the final 1 1/3 innings to pick up his third save of the campaign and give Iowa the lead. Game 2: Iowa earned a 10-2 game in the doubleheader nightcap to push their winning run to four games and claim a series win. The Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the fourth thanks to an RBI-single from Jordan Nwogu (2-for-4) and an RBI-double from Jackson Cluff (1-for-3). Omaha pulled a run back in the fifth but the Cubs answered with eight in the sixth to take a 10-2 lead. Chas McCormick (2-for-4) doubled in a run and later scored on a pick-off error. Ben Cowles (2-for-3) singled in one and Hayden Cantrelle (0-for-3) drew a walk with the bases loaded two batters later. BJ Murray (1-for-3) put the exclamation point on the frame with a grand slam, upping his home run total to 17 and his RBI total to 72. The Storm Chasers would add a tally in the seventh to make it 10-2. Braxton Garrett got the start on the mound for Iowa and earned the win, improving to 7-6 on the year. Garrett allowed one run on five hits over five innings of work, walked five and struck out six. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies 2026 Season Record 73-64 The Knoxville Smokies' season came to an end on Thursday following a 13-3 defeat to the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Game 2 of the Southern League Division Series. The Smokies finished the regular season with a 73-64 record, the second-best mark in the league. High-A: South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 The South Bend Cubs season came to an end on Sept 11, falling to the Quad City River Bandits in game 2 of the Midwest League Division Series. The Cubs finished the regular season with a 77-51 record, a league best mark. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ season came to an end on September 4 after both of their contests on September 5 and September 6 were rained out. The Pelicans finished the 2026 season with a 50-77 record. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report - September 16 Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals): Postponed Season Record: 59–81-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Southern League Division Series vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas (Los Angeles Angels): Trash Pandas lead, 1-0 Season Record: 73–64 High-A South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Affiliate Highlights Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 59–81-1 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers (64-77) Series Standing: Postponed Sept. 15: The Iowa Cubs had their series opener at the Omaha Storm Chasers postponed due to weather conditions. No date has been set for the contest to be made up. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 73–64 Southern League Division Series Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas (72–65) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Sept. 15: The Knoxville Smokies opened their Southern League Division Series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas with a 9-2 defeat on Tuesday night at Toyota Field. The Trash Pandas opened the scoring in the contest with two runs in the second but the Smokies cut the lead in half on Angel Cepeda’s (1-for-3) solo shot in the third. Carter Trice (1-for-3) made it 2-2 in the fourth with an RBI-double but Rocket City would go back in front with three runs in the sixth. The hosts then put the game away with four runs in the eighth to make it 9-2. Brooks Caple got the start on the mound for Knoxville and took the loss. Caple allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings of work, walked two and struck out four. The Smokies offense was held to just three hits in the ballgame and would take just one at-bat with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-1. High-A: South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 The South Bend Cubs season came to an end on Thursday, falling to the Quad City River Bandits in game 2 of the Midwest League Division Series. The Cubs finished the regular season with a 77-51 record, a league best mark. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ season came to an end on September 4 after both of their contests on September 5 and September 6 were rained out. The Pelicans finished the 2026 season with a 50-77 record. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 14) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers): Mud Hens win, 3-2 Season Record: 59–81-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox): Barons win, 4-2 Season Record: 73–64 High-A South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 59–81-1 Series Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (69-73) Series Standing: Lose, 3-2 Sept. 13: The Iowa Cubs claimed a 2-1 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens on Sunday at Principal Park in the team’s final home game of the season. The Mud Hens took a 1-0 lead in the first but Jordan Nwogu (1-for-3) would give the Cubs the lead for good in the second with a two-run homer, his third at Triple-A. The 2-1 score would hold the rest of the way as Iowa starter Kohl Franklin turned in five innings of one-run ball to earn the win and improve to 1-1 on the year. Franklin gave up two hits, walked one and struck out five. The Iowa bullpen combined for four shutout frames, with Shelby Miller (1.0 IP), Jaxon Wiggins (1.0 IP), Jayden Murray (0.2 IP) and Gabe Klobosits (1.1 IP) yielding just two hits to go along with three walks and three strikeouts. Klobosits finished the ballgame to record his fourth save of the campaign. The I-Cubs offense was held to just five hits in the contest, with Chas McCormick being the lone batter to record a multi-hit effort, going a perfect 3-for-3. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 73–64 Series Opponent: Birmingham Barons (61–77) Series Standing: Lose, 4-2 Sept. 13: The Knoxville Smokies were blanked in their regular season finale by the Birmingham Barons, 7-0, on Sunday at Regions Field. The Barons took a 1-0 lead in second and later made it 3-0 after scoring one run in both the fifth and the sixth. Birmingham then broke the game open with four in the seventh to make it 7-0. The Smokies offense was held to just two hits in the contest, with Kane Kepley (1-for-4) and Andy Garriola (1-for-4) picking up the knocks. Connor Schultz got the start on the mound and took the loss, falling to 5-5 on the year. Schultz allowed one run on five hits over five innings of work, walked one and struck out two. High-A: South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 The South Bend Cubs season came to an end on Thursday, falling to the Quad City River Bandits in game 2 of the Midwest League Division Series. The Cubs finished the regular season with a 77-51 record, a league best mark. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ season came to an end on September 4 after both of their contests on September 5 and September 6 were rained out. The Pelicans finished the 2026 season with a 50-77 record. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 12) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers): Mud Hens lead, 2-1 Season Record: 58–80-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox): Tied, 2-2 Season Record: 73–62 High-A South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 58–80-1 Series Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (68-72) Series Standing: Trail, 2-1 Sept. 11: The Iowa Cubs earned a 9-3 win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Friday night at Principal Park. Chas McCormick (2-for-5) gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI-single and Owen Miller (3-for-5) doubled the lead in the third on an RBI-single of his own. The Mud Hens would get on the board in the fifth but Iowa would break the game wide open with five runs in the seventh. Kevin Alcántara (2-for-4) launched a three-run homer, his 20th of the season, and James Triantos (3-for-4) drove in a pair on a double to make it 7-1. The I-Cubs added two more in the eighth, with Owen Ayers (2-for-5) bringing in one of those runs on a single and another scoring on an error on the play. Toledo scored twice in the ninth to make it a 9-3 contest. Braxton Garrett got the start on the mound for Iowa and earned the win to improve to 6-6 on the season. Garrett allowed one run, unearned, on two hits over five innings of work, walked two and struck out four. Eight of the nine Cubs batters recorded at least one hit in the ballgame, with six players posting multi-hit performances. The Iowa offense also went 6-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 73–62 Series Opponent: Birmingham Barons (59–77) Series Standing: Tied, 2-2 Sept. 11: The Knoxville Smokies evened their series at the Birmingham Barons with an 8-7 victory on Friday night at Regions Field. The Smokies plated three runs in their first trip to the plate, with Josiah Hartshorn (1-for-3), making his Double-A debut, opening the scoring on an RBI-single. Miguel Useche (1-for-4) picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice and Andy Garriola (0-for-4) brought in a run on a sacrifice fly. The Barons scored a run in each of the first and second innings to make it 3-2 but Knoxville pushed the lead back to three with two in the third, thanks to Ariel Armas’ (1-for-5) two-run shot. Birmingham would make it 5-5 by answering with three runs of their own in the home half of the third. The Smokies went back in front with a three-spot of their own in the sixth, thanks to an RBI-single from Karson Simas (1-for-4), a sacrifice fly from Hartshorn and a bases-loaded walk from Kane Kepley (2-for-5). The Barons hit back with two in the bottom of the sixth to make it 8-7 but Tyler Ras would end the ballgame with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn his eighth save of the season and give Knoxville the win. Ras retired all six of the batters he faced, including four via strikeout. Jake Knapp got the start on the mound for the Smokies and took no decision. Knapp allowed five runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings of work, walked five and whiffed two batters. High-A: South Bend Cubs 2026 Season Record: 77–51 The South Bend Cubs season came to an end on Thursday, falling to the Quad City River Bandits in Game 2 of the Midwest League Division Series. The Cubs finished the regular season with a 77-51 record, a league-best mark. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 The Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ season came to an end on September 4 after both of their contests on September 5 and September 6 were rained out. The Pelicans finished the 2026 season with a 50-77 record. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 😎 Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. Toledo MudHens (Detroit Tigers): Game canceled Season Record: 57–78-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox): Barons lead, 1-0 Season Record: 71–61 High-A South Bend Cubs Midwest League Playoffs vs. Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals): River Bandits lead, 1-0 Regular Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 57–78-1 Series Opponent: Toledo MudHens (66-61) Series Standing: Game canceled Sept. 8: The Iowa Cubs and the Toledo MudHens had Tuesday night’s series opener canceled due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up. The two teams will open their five-game set tonight at Principal Park at 12:08 p.m. CT. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 71–61 Series Opponent: Birmingham Barons (58–75) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Sept. 8: The Knoxville Smokies opened their final regular season series with a 3-2 defeat, in 10 innings, to the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday night at Regions Field. The Barons took a 1-0 lead in the first before Kane Kepley (2-for-5) evened the contest with an RBI-single in the third. Knoxville would take a 2-1 lead in the fifth thanks to another RBI-single from Kepley. Birmingham would tie the game in the seventh and the 2-2 score would hold through nine innings. The Barons would keep the Smokies off the board in the 10th and would eventually walk-off the visitors to claim the 3-2 win. Brooks Caple got the start on the mound for Knoxville and took no decision. Caple spun six innings of one-run ball, earning his fourth quality start of the season. He also struck out five batters and issued one walk. Tyler Ras worked two scoreless frames out of the bullpen and gave up just one hit and whiffed four batters. High-A: South Bend Cubs Regular Season Record: 77–51 Midwest League Division Series Opponent: Quad Cities River Bandits (70–57) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Sept. 8: The South Bend Cubs opened their Midwest League Division Series against the Quad Cities River Bandits with an 8-3 defeat on Tuesday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The River Bandits took a 1-0 lead in the second but the Cubs hit back in the third on a two-run shot from Angel Cepeda (2-for-5) to take the lead. Josiah Hartshorn (3-for-5) crushed a solo shot in the fifth to make it 3-1 but Quad Cities stormed back with three runs in the sixth and four in the seventh to make it an 8-3 game. South Bend could not mount a late rally and will now have to earn victories on Thursday and Friday at Four Winds Field to advance in the postseason. Jostin Florentino got the start on the mound for the Cubs and took no decision. Florentino allowed one run on two hits over four innings of work, walked two and struck out six. Spots one through four in the South Bend batting order went a combined 7-for-16 (.438), while spots five through nine went 0-for-18 (.000). Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2026 Season Record: 50–77 Sept. 8: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ season came to an end on Friday after both of their contests on Saturday and Sunday were rained out. The Pelicans finished the 2026 season with a 50-77 record. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 7) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Guardians): Clippers win, 5-1 Season Record: 57–78-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series vs. Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds): Smokies win, 4-2 Season Record: 71–60 High-A South Bend Cubs Series vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins): Cubs win, 5-1 Season Record: 77–51 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals): Pelicans win, 3-1 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 57–78-1 Series Opponent: Columbus Clippers (74-61) Series Standing: Lose, 5-1 Sept. 6: The Iowa Cubs dropped their third-straight game, falling in the series finale to the Columbus Clippers, 6-3, on Sunday at Huntington Park. The Clippers took a 1-0 lead in the first but the Cubs hit back with two in the second, thanks to a solo shot from Jordan Nwogu (1-for-3) and an RBI-double from Justin Dean (2-for-4). Columbus then took a 4-2 lead in the third after scoring three times and then added a run in the sixth to make it 5-2. Iowa cut the lead to two in the eighth on Nwogu’s sacrifice fly but the hosts got that run right back in the home half of the inning to make it 6-3. Justin Steele got the start on the mound for the I-Cubs, making his second rehab appearance. Steele allowed one run on two hits over two innings of work, struck out one batter and did not issue a walk. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 71–60 Series Opponent: Chattanooga Lookouts (58–74) Series Standing: Win, 4-2 Sept. 6: The Knoxville Smokies claimed a series win with their 6-5 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday at Covenant Health Park. Miguel Useche (1-for-4) crushed a two-run shot in the first and the Smokies would go on to make it 4-0 in the second on Alex Ramírez’ (2-for-5) two-run homer. The Lookouts broke the scoring run by plating one in the third but Knoxville again scored twice in the home half of the inning, thanks to a solo shot from Andy Garriola (2-for-4) his 22nd of the season, and an RBI-double from Alex Madera (2-for-4). Chattanooga would make it a 6-5 contest after scoring three times in the fifth and once more in the sixth but Yenrri Rojas would end the ballgame with three scoreless frames to seal the series win and earn the win, improving to 6-6 on the campaign. Rojas retired all nine batters that he faced, including one with a strikeout. Knoxville finishes the regular season with a 37-31 record at home. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 77–51 Series Opponent: Cedar Rapids Kernels (48–82) Series Standing: Win, 5-1 Sept. 6: The South Bend Cubs ended their regular season with a 10-5 defeat to the Cedar Rapids Kernels in the series finale between the two teams on Sunday at Four Winds Field. Jose Escobar (1-for-3) gave the Cubs an early 1-0 lead in the first but the Kernels responded with four in the third to take the lead. Angel Cepeda (2-for-5) got one of those runs back in the home half of the third on an RBI-double. South Bend would tie the contest in the fourth when Josiah Hartshorn (2-for-4) doubled home a pair. Cedar Rapids would score the next six runs of the ballgame, plating three in the sixth, one in the eighth and two more in the ninth to make it 10-4. Hartshorn recorded his second RBI-double of the game in the Cubs’ last trip to the dish to make it 10-5. Anhuar Garcia got the start on the mound for South Bend and took no decision. Garcia allowed four runs on eight hits over three innings of work, struck out three and walked none. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 50–77 Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies (64–65) Series Standing: Win, 3-1 Sept. 6: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were rained out for the second straight day, ending their 2026 season. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 5) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Guardians): Clippers lead, 3-1 Season Record: 57–76-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series vs. Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds): Tied, 2-2 Season Record: 69–60 High-A South Bend Cubs Series vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins): Cubs lead, 4-0 Season Record: 76–50 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals): Pelicans lead, 3-1 Season Record: 50–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 57–76-1 Series Opponent: Columbus Clippers (72-61) Series Standing: Trail, 3-1 Sept. 4: The Iowa Cubs dropped their contest to the Columbus Clippers, 7-1, on Friday night at Huntington Park. Ben Cowles (2-for-4) put the Cubs in front with an RBI-double in the third but the Clippers immediately grabbed the lead for good with two runs in the home half of the frame. Columbus would then put the game away with two runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to cruise to the win. Braxton Garrett got the start on the mound for Iowa and took the loss, falling to 5-6 on the season. Garrett allowed two runs on three hits over 4 2/3 innings of work, walked three and struck out five. Edward Cabrera made his second rehab appearance with the I-Cubs, again coming out of the bullpen, and gave up four runs on three hits in just 2/3 of an inning, walked two and whiffed one. Cowles’ two hits were the only hits from the Iowa offense in the ballgame, as they took just two at-bats with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-2. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 69–60 Series Opponent: Chattanooga Lookouts (58–72) Series Standing: Tied, 2-2 Sept. 4: The Knoxville Smokies evened their series vs. the Chattanooga Lookouts with an 8-3 victory on Friday night at Covenant Health Park. Alex Ramírez (1-for-5) led off the game with a solo blast, his 14th of the season, to give the Smokies an early lead but the Lookouts quickly tied the game with a run in the second. Knoxville went back in front in the third on Edgar Alvarez’ (1-for-3) RBI-double but again Chattanooga had an answer with a run in the fourth to make it 2-2. The visitors would take the lead with a run in the sixth but the Smokies scored three runs in the home half of the frame to make it 5-3. Alex Madera (4-for-4) doubled home a pair and came around to score on Drew Bowser’s (1-for-4) RBI-single. Miguel Useche’s (1-for-3) RBI-double and Ariel Armas’ (1-for-4) RBI-groundout in the seventh made it 7-3 and Karson Simas added to the lead with an RBI-double in the eighth to make it 8-3. Luis Martinez-Gomez got the start on the mound for Knoxville and took no decision. Martinez-Gomez allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits over three innings of work, walked two and struck out three. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 76–50 Series Opponent: Cedar Rapids Kernels (47–81) Series Standing: Lead, 4-0 Sept. 4: The South Bend Cubs earned a series victory by winning their fourth-straight game over the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 14-3, on Friday night at Four Winds Field. The Cubs took a 4-0 lead in the first, highlighted by a two-run double from Alexey Lumpuy (5-for-5). Justin Stransky (0-for-1) made it 5-0 in the third with his second sacrifice fly of the ballgame. The Kernels made it 5-3 after scoring twice in the fourth and one more in the fifth but South Bend broke the game open with seven runs in the seventh. Kade Snell (1-for-5) started the scoring with a fielder’s-choice RBI and Matt Halbach (2-for-3) drew a walk with the bases loaded two batters later to bring in a run. Lumpuy picked up an RBI on a single, which was followed by another bases-loaded walk, this time drawn by Stransky. Brennan Hudson (1-for-5) then delivered the biggest hit of the inning, a bases-clearing double to bring home three runs. The Cubs added two more in the eighth, as Lumpuy tallied hit No. 5 and RBI No. 4 on a double and Stransky earned his fourth RBI of the ballgame on his third sacrifice fly to make it 14-3. Alfredo Romero got the start on the mound for the Cubs and took no decision. Romero allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits over 3 1/3 innings of work, walked three and struck out four. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 50–77 Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies (64–65) Series Standing: Lead, 3-1 Sept. 4: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans earned at least a series split by winning their third-straight game over the Columbia Fireflies, 7-2, on Friday night at Pelicans Ballpark. The Fireflies took a 2-0 lead in the first but the Pelicans were able to cut that lead in half with a run in the second on Ivan Cespedes’ (0-for-3) RBI-groundout. Juan Tomas’ (1-for-4) first-career home run in the fifth made it 2-2. Myrtle Beach then took the lead for good with five runs in the seventh to make it 7-2. Darlyn De Leon (1-for-5) put the Pelicans in front with an RBI-single and came around to score on Alexis Hernandez’ (1-for-3) two-run single. Corey Nunez added a run on an RBI-fielder’s choice, with another run scoring on an error on the play. Riely Hunsaker got the start on the mound for Myrtle Beach and took no decision. Hunsaker allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits over five innings of work, walked two and struck out four. Luis Mata and Victor Zarraga each tossed two shutout innings in relief and neither allowed a hit. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report (September 2) Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Guardians): Clippers lead, 1-0 Season Record: 56–74-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series vs. Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds): Smokies lead, 1-0 Season Record: 68–58 High-A South Bend Cubs Series vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins): Cubs lead, 1-0 Season Record: 73–50 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals): Fireflies lead, 1-0 Season Record: 47–77 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 56–74-1 Series Opponent: Columbus Clippers (70-60) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Sept. 1: The Iowa Cubs opened their series at the Columbus Clippers with a 7-6 defeat on Tuesday night at Huntington Park. Justin Dean’s (0-for-3) sacrifice fly in the second gave the Cubs the lead but the Clippers responded with two runs in the home half of the frame to go in front 2-1. Columbus added another run in the fourth but Iowa hit back with a three-spot in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. Two would score, one via error, on Owen Miller’s triple (3-for-5), and one would score on Jordan Nwogu’s (3-for-5) double. The I-Cubs made it 6-3 in the sixth when Miller doubled home a run and Owen Ayers (1-for-4) followed with an RBI-single. The Clippers cut the lead to two by scoring a run in the home half of the sixth and would eventually go ahead with three runs in the eighth to make it 7-6. The Cubs would get the tying run to third in the ninth but could not bring the runner home. Kohl Franklin got the start on the mound for Iowa and took no decision. Franklin allowed three runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings of work, walked three and struck out two. Edward Cabrera, making his first rehab appearance with the Cubs since being placed on the IL on Aug. 17, allowed a solo home run in his inning in relief and whiffed two. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 68–58 Series Opponent: Chattanooga Lookouts (56–71) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 Sept. 1: The Knoxville Smokies opened their series vs. the Chattanooga Lookouts with a 12-3 victory on Tuesday night at Covenant Health Park. The Smokies broke the deadlock in the third thanks to a three-run homer from Carter Trice (1-for-4). The Lookouts cut the lead to one by scoring twice in the sixth but Knoxville was able to put up a four spot in the bottom of the inning to make it 7-2. Drew Bowser (0-for-2) worked a walk with the bases loaded and then Karson Simas (2-for-3) followed with a bases-clearing triple. Chattanooga pulled another run back in the eighth but the Smokies responded with five more in the home half of the frame to put the contest out of reach. Alex Ramírez (1-for-5) brought home three on a double and then came around to score on Miguel Useche’s (1-for-5) RBI-single. Edgar Alvarez (1-for-2) then made it 12-3 with an RBI-double. Kevin Valdez got the start on the mound for Knoxville and earned the win to improve to 2-1 on the season. Valdez allowed two runs on two hits over five innings of work, walked two and struck out seven. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 73–50 Series Opponent: Cedar Rapids Kernels (47–78) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 Sept. 1: The South Bend Cubs started their final series of the regular season with an 8-4 triumph over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field. The Kernels took a 1-0 lead in the first and then doubled their advantage with a run in the third. The Cubs responded with three in the home half of the third to take the lead. Angel Cepeda (3-for-4) singled home a run and Jose Escobar (1-for-4) followed two batters later with a two-run double. Cedar Rapids made it 3-3 with a run in the fourth but South Bend would take the lead for good in the ballgame with three runs in the fifth. Kade Snell (2-for-4) got the scoring started with an RBI-triple and came around to score on Cepeda’s two-run shot that made it 6-3. The Kernels pulled one back in the sixth but solo shots from Josiah Hartshorn (2-for-3) and Cepeda in the eighth made it 8-4, putting the contest out of reach. Hartshorn’s blast was his 18th at High-A and 23rd overall on the season. The Cubs’ sixth round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft upped his RBI tally with South Bend to 82, which sets a new franchise record, needing just 78 games to reach that mark. Jostin Florentino got the start on the mound for the Cubs and took no decision. Florentino allowed three runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings of work, walked one and struck out four. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 47–77 Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies (64–62) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Sept. 1: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans opened their final series of the 2026 season with a 13-6 defeat to the Columbia Fireflies on Tuesday night at Pelicans Ballpark. The Pelicans took a 1-0 lead in the first on a wild pitch but the Fireflies would take a 6-1 lead in the contest by scoring three times in both the third and fourth innings. Myrtle Beach made it 6-3 in the fourth through an RBI-triple from Eli Lovich (1-for-2) and an RBI-single from Alexis Hernandez (3-for-4). The Fireflies made it 10-3 by scoring once in the fifth and three more times in the sixth. Derniche Valdez (2-for-4) singled home a run in the sixth but Columbia got that run right back in the seventh to make it 11-4. The visitors then added two more in the eighth before Hernandez launched a solo home run later in the inning and Corey Nunez (2-for-5) picked up an RBI-single in the ninth that made it 13-6. Jubrayker Salaya got the start on the mound for the Pelicans and took the loss, falling to 0-2 on the season. Salaya allowed three runs on five hits over three innings of work, struck out five and walked none. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report - August 31 Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals): Cubs win, 4-2 Season Record: 56–73-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers): Tied, 3-3 Season Record: 67–58 High-A South Bend Cubs Series at Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers): Tied, 3-3 Season Record: 72–50 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series at Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves): GreenJackets win, 4-2 Season Record: 47–76 Affiliate Highlights Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 56–73-1 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers (59-70) Series Standing: Win, 4-2 Aug. 30: The Iowa Cubs dropped their series finale to the Omaha Storm Chasers, 3-1, on Sunday at Principal Park. James Triantos (2-for-4) gave the Cubs the lead in the fourth with a solo home run, his ninth of the season, but the Storm Chasers got that run right back in the fifth to make it 1-1. Javier Assad got the start on the mound for Iowa and took no decision. Assad allowed one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings of work, struck out five batters and walked none. Tyler Ferguson and Jaxon Wiggins combined for 2 1/3 shutout innings in relief, allowed one hit and whiffed one to get the contest to the ninth tied, but Omaha scored twice to up 3-1 late. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 67–58 Series Opponent: Biloxi Shuckers (59–63) Series Standing: Tied, 3-3 Aug. 30: The Knoxville Smokies earned a series split with the Biloxi Shuckers following a 12-2 victory on Sunday at Keesler Federal Park. Edgar Alvarez (3-for-5) opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second, his 11th of the season, before the Smokies made it 6-0 with five runs in the third. Alex Ramírez (1-for-4) singled home a run and came around to score on Alvarez’s two-run single. Alex Madera (2-for-4) capped the scoring in the frame with a two-run triple. The Shuckers scored both of their runs in the home half of the third, but Knoxville would make it 10-2 with four more runs in the sixth. Dom Krupinski (1-for-2) doubled home two and Miguel Useche (3-for-4) singled home two more. Alvarez then picked up his fourth RBI of the contest in the ninth on an RBI-single, and Ariel Armas (1-for-3) put one more on the board with a sacrifice fly to make it 12-2. Connor Schultz got the start on the mound for the Smokies and took no decision. Schultz allowed two runs on six hits over four innings of work, struck out four without a walk being issued. Yenrri Rojas picked up the win in relief to improve to 5-6 on the season. Rojas allowed one hit over two scoreless innings, walked one and whiffed one. The Knoxville offense tallied 11 hits in the ballgame, with five going for extra bases. The offense also went 7-for-13 with runners in scoring position. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 72–50 Series Opponent: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (65–56) Series Standing: Tied, 3-3 Aug. 30: The South Bend Cubs dropped their series finale to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 11-10, on Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field to split the six-game set. Josiah Hartshorn (1-for-2) opened the scoring in the ballgame with a sacrifice fly in the third, but the Timber Rattlers scored twice in the home half of the frame to take the lead. The Cubs re-took the lead in the fourth thanks to Logan Poteet’s (3-for-4) two-run shot to make it 3-2. Alexey Lumpuy (3-for-5) and Leonel Espinoza (2-for-4) each picked up RBI-singles in the sixth to make it a 5-2 game. Wisconsin responded with two runs to cut South Bend’s lead to one but Lumpuy would drive in three runs with a bases-clearing triple to make it 8-4 in the seventh. The Cubs could not turn in a shutdown inning as the Timber Rattlers scored twice after the stretch and then took an 11-8 lead after scoring five times in the eighth. South Bend scored twice in the ninth, thanks to back-to-back solo shots from Poteet and Lumpuy but were unable to keep the rally going, eventually falling 11-10. Anhuar Garcia got the start on the mound for the Cubs and took no decision. Garcia allowed two runs on six hits over four innings of work and struck out five batters with no walks issued. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 47–76 Series Opponent: Augusta GreenJackets (68–57) Series Standing: Lose, 4-2 Aug. 30: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped their series finale to the Augusta GreenJackets, 10-8, on Sunday at SRP Park. Alexis Hernandez (3-for-4) gave the Pelicans a 1-0 lead in the first, which was later doubled in the frame when Jhoander Irigoyen (1-for-3) scored on a wild pitch. The GreenJackets cut the lead in half with a run in the second but Myrtle Beach got that run right back in the third when Eli Lovich (1-for-4) doubled in a run. Hernandez and Darniche Valdez (2-for-4) each launched solo shots in the sixth to give the Pelicans a 5-1 lead. Myrtle Beach starter Freddy Rodriguez, who eventually took no decision, allowed just one run over four innings of work, gave up two hits, walked three and struck out five. Fenuel James turned in three shutout innings in relief, retiring all nine batters he faced, three via strikeout. In the eighth, Daryln De Leon (1-for-4) and Valdez both went deep with solo shots, giving the Pelicans an 8-1 lead and seemingly putting the ballgame out of reach. But Augusta would stun the visitors with nine runs in the eighth to go ahead 10-8 late. Myrtle Beach would go down in order in the ninth to end the game. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals): Cubs lead, 3-1 Season Record: 55–72-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers): Tied, 2-2 Season Record: 66–57 High-A South Bend Cubs Series at Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers): Tied, 2-2 Season Record: 71–49 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series at Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves): GreenJackets lead, 3-1 Season Record: 46–75 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 55–72-1 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers (58-69) Series Standing: Lead, 3-1 Aug. 28: The Iowa Cubs clinched at least a series split with a 4-3 walk-off victory, in 10 innings, over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday night at Principal Park. The two teams traded runs in the first, with the Cubs getting their run on a BJ Murray (2-for-5) solo shot, his 15th of the season. Iowa then went in front 2-1 in the second when Hayden Cantrelle (1-for-3) doubled home a run. The I-Cubs would keep that lead through six innings thanks to 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball from starter Jordan Wicks. Wicks, who would eventually take no decision, allowed seven hits to go along with two walks and two strikeouts. Relievers Shelby Miller and Luis Peralta then combined for 1 2/3 frames of shutout ball, did not allow a hit and whiffed two batters. Omaha would then tie it in the seventh and the game would go to the 10th as neither side found a breakthrough in the eighth or ninth. The Storm Chasers would score once in the 10th and the Cubs would load the bases with one out in their chance in the final frame. Iowa tied the game on a balk and then Ben Cowles (2-for-5) completed the comeback with an RBI-single to make it 4-3. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 66–57 Series Opponent: Biloxi Shuckers (58–62) Series Standing: Tied, 2-2 Aug. 28: The Knoxville Smokies evened their series at the Biloxi Shuckers with a 3-1 victory on Friday night at Keesler Federal Park. The Smokies would score first in the ballgame in the fourth when Ariel Armas (2-for-4) launched a solo home run, his sixth of the season. The Shuckers would tie the game in the fifth before Knoxville would go back in front in the ninth with a pair of runs to make it 3-1, thanks to Andy Garriola’s (1-for-4) two-run single. Garriola now has 80 RBI on the season, good for fifth most in the Southern League. Biloxi would bring the winning run to the plate in the ninth but Tyler Ras would come out of the bullpen to retire the lone batter he faced and earn his seventh save of the campaign and seal the win for the Smokies. Dawson Netz got the start on the mound for Knoxville and took no decision. Netz spun five innings of one-run ball, allowed four hits to go along with one walk and seven strikeouts. Marino Santy and Frankie Scalzo Jr. combined for 3 2/3 scoreless frames in relief, did not allow a hit and whiffed six batters. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 71–49 Series Opponent: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (64–55) Series Standing: Tied, 2-2 Aug. 28: The South Bend Cubs evened their series at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a dramatic 10-7 comeback victory on Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field. The Timber Rattlers took an early 7-0 lead after plating three runs in the first and four more in the seventh. The Cubs started their rally with a run in the fourth on a Logan Poteet (2-for-5) RBI-single and then made it 7-4 when Josiah Hartshorn (1-for-4) launched a three-run shot, his 17th long ball at High-A on the season. Edwardo Melendez kept South Bend in the contest thanks to 2 2/3 scoreless frames in relief, allowing one hit and walking one. Trailing by three heading into the ninth, Brennan Hudson (1-for-2) would start the comeback with a two-out single to keep the Cubs alive. A Geuri Lubo (3-for-4) single and an intentional walk to Hartshorn would load the bases, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. Jose Escobar (0-for-4) and Angel Cepeda (0-for-3) would both draw walks to make it 7-6. Kade Snell (2-for-3) then gave South Bend the lead with a two-run single and Poteet would tack on some insurance runs with a two-run single of his own to make it 10-7. Cole Reynolds would turn in a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the win, improving to 4-2 on the season, and complete his 3 1/3 scoreless outing out of the bullpen. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 46–75 Series Opponent: Augusta GreenJackets (67–56) Series Standing: Trail, 3-1 Aug. 28: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped their third-straight contest as they were blanked by the Augusta GreenJackets, 8-0, on Friday night at SRP Park. The Green Jackets took a 3-0 lead in the second and never looked back, eventually scoring two in the fifth and three more in the sixth. The Pelicans were held to just two hits in the ballgame, with Jhoander Irigoyen (1-for-3) and Derik Alcantara (1-for-3) picking up the knocks. Myrtle Beach starter Luis Mata took the loss on the mound, falling to 0-2 on the season. Mata allowed three runs on two hits over two innings of work, walked three and struck out two. Sam Mettert was a bright spot out of the bullpen, allowing three hits over 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out three and walking none. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals): Storm Chasers lead, 1-0 Season Record: 52–72-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers): Smokies lead, 1-0 Season Record: 65–55 High-A South Bend Cubs Series at Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers): Timber Rattlers lead, 1-0 Season Record: 69–48 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series at Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves): Pelicans lead, 1-0 Season Record: 46–72 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 52–72-1 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers (58-66) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Aug. 25: The Iowa Cubs dropped their series opener to the Omaha Storm Chasers, 9-6, on Tuesday night at Principal Park. BJ Murray (3-for-5) got the Cubs on the board in the first with an RBI-triple but the Storm Chasers would eventually make it a 3-1 game after evening the score in the second and going ahead with two in the third. Omaha then made it an 8-1 game by scoring once in the seventh and four more in the eighth. In the home half of the eighth, Murray doubled home a pair of runs to make it 8-3 but the Storm Chasers would get one of those runs back in the ninth to push their lead back to six. Iowa would score three times in its final trip to the plate, on a run-scoring single from Murray and a two-run single from Chas McCormick (1-for-3), but could not rally any further. Javier Assad got the start on the mound for the I-Cubs and took the loss, falling to 0-3 on the season. Assad allowed three runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings of work, walked two and struck out two. Hoby Milner made his 10th appearance on his rehab assignment with the Cubs and worked a perfect sixth inning. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 65–55 Series Opponent: Biloxi Shuckers (56–61) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 Aug. 25: The Knoxville Smokies opened their series at the Biloxi Shuckers with a 9-4 victory on Tuesday night at Keesler Federal Park. Carter Trice (2-for-4) gave the Smokies a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI-single and Andy Garriola (3-for-6) doubled the lead with an RBI-single in the second. The Shuckers pulled one back in the second but Knoxville made it 4-1 with a pair of runs in the third, scoring one on an error and another on a sacrifice fly from Alex Madera (3-for-3). Biloxi would eventually make it a 4-4 game after scoring one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings. The Smokies re-took the lead with a three-spot in the sixth thanks to a run scoring on a passed ball, an RBI-single from Miguel Useche (3-for-6) and a sacrifice fly from Ariel Armas (1-for-5). Kane Kepley (1-for-3) put the game away with a two-run homer in the ninth, his third at Double-A, to make it 9-4. Kevin Valdez got the start on the mound for Knoxville and took no decision. Valdez allowed three runs on five hits over four innings of work, walked three and struck out one. Tyler Ras tossed two scoreless frames in relief, retiring all six batters he faced, including two via strikeout. The Smokies offense amassed 14 hits on the night, with three batters turning in three-hit performances. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 69–48 Series Opponent: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (63–53) Series Standing: Trail, 1-0 Aug. 25: The South Bend Cubs opened their series at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 4-3 defeat on Tuesday night at Neuroscience Group Field. The Timber Rattlers took a 2-0 lead in their first trip to the plate but the Cubs were able to answer back with two in the third thanks to a solo shot from Alexey Lumpuy (2-for-4) and a sacrifice fly from Angel Cepeda (0-for-3). Wisconsin would make it 4-2 after scoring one run in each of the fifth and seventh innings. Josiah Hartshorn (1-for-4) blasted a solo home run in the ninth to cut the lead to one but the late South Bend rally would be halted. Jostin Florentino got the start on the mound for the Cubs and was handed the loss, dropping his record to 1-4 on the season. Florentino allowed three runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings of work, walked one and struck out six. Edwardo Melendez turned in 1 2/3 shutout innings out of the bullpen and allowed one hit to go along with two walks and two strikeouts. Hartshorn’s solo shot was his 16th at High-A and his 21st across all levels. The Cubs’ No. 1 prospect (North Side Baseball) also reached the 100 RBI mark on the season, reaching that total in 111 games (39 with Myrtle Beach, 72 South Bend). Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 46–72 Series Opponent: Augusta GreenJackets (64–56) Series Standing: Lead, 1-0 Aug. 25: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans snapped their six-game losing skid with a 5-4 series-opening victory at the Augusta GreenJackets on Tuesday night at SRP Park. The Green Jackets scored a run in the first before the Pelicans evened the contest with a run in the third thanks to a solo blast from Darlyn De Leon (3-for-4), his second of the season. Myrtle Beach then took a 3-1 lead in the fourth through RBI-singles from Corey Nunez (1-for-2) and De Leon. Augusta would eventually make it a 3-3 contest after pushing runs across in the fifth and sixth innings. Juan Luis Reyes (1-for-4) came up with the biggest swing in the ballgame when he singled home a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to give the Pelicans the lead. The Green Jackets would score once in their final trip to the plate but Jordan Henriquez was able to end the rally and earn the win to improve to 3-4 on the season. Henriquez tossed 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball to end the game, allowed four hits and struck out four. Jubrayker Salaya got the start on the mound for Myrtle Beach and took no decision. Salaya turned in four innings of one-run ball, gave up two hits, walked three and whiffed four. View full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Toledo MudHens (Detroit Tigers): Cubs win, 4-2 Season Record: 52–71-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins): Blue Wahoos win, 4-1 Season Record: 64–55 High-A South Bend Cubs Series vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers): Cubs win, 4-2 Season Record: 69–47 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros): Woodpeckers win, 6-0 Season Record: 45–72 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 52–71-1 Series Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (58-67) Series Standing: Win, 4-2 Aug. 23: The Iowa Cubs earned a series win by winning their fourth-straight contest over the Toledo Mud Hens, a 4-2 triumph on Sunday at Fifth Third Field. Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings of the ballgame before Justin Dean (1-for-5) broke the deadlock with an RBI-single in the fifth. Matt Shaw (1-for-3) made it 2-0 on an RBI-double in the seventh, which was followed by a two-run shot from Chas McCormick (2-for-4) to make it 4-0. The Mud Hens cut the lead in half by scoring twice in the eighth but Eduarniel Núñez was able to convert the four-out save, his third save of the season, to seal the win. Braxton Garrett got the start on the mound for Iowa and earned the win to improve to 5-5 on the year. Garrett twirled five scoreless frames, allowed just two hits to go along with one walk and seven strikeouts. Jaxon Wiggins turned in a scoreless inning in relief, walking one and whiffing two. Wiggins has now turned in four-straight scoreless frames over his last four relief appearances and has yet to allow a hit during that span. The Cubs’ No. 3 prospect (North Side Baseball) has whiffed two batters in three of those outings. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 64–55 Series Opponent: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (69–50) Series Standing: Lose, 4-1 Aug. 23: The Knoxville Smokies dropped their series finale to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 4-3, on Sunday at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Blue Wahoos opened the scoring with two runs in the second and would make it 3-0 after scoring another in the third. Miguel Useche (1-for-4) got the Smokies on the board in the fourth with a solo shot, his fifth of the season, and Andy Garriola (1-for-4) brought Knoxville within one on an RBI-groundout in the sixth. Pensacola made it 4-2 with a run in the sixth but Alex Ramírez (0-for-4) made it a one-run game again by drawing a walk with the bases loaded. The Smokies would get the tying run to third base in the ninth but were unable to come up with the decisive hit. Dawson Netz got the start on the mound for Knoxville and was handed the loss, falling to 6-4 on the season. Netz allowed three runs on three hits over three innings of work, walked two and struck out two. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 69–47 Series Opponent: West Michigan Whitecaps (55–63) Series Standing: Win, 4-2 Aug. 23: The South Bend Cubs earned a series win over the West Michigan Whitecaps with a 3-2 walk-off victory on Sunday at Four Winds Field. The Cubs broke the deadlock in the third when Michael Hallquist (0-for-2) brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. The Whitecaps got that run back in the fourth but South Bend grabbed the lead right back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Geuri Lubo (0-for-3). West Michigan tied it again with a run in the seventh to make it 2-2. Cubs starter Anhuar Garcia would take no decision in the ballgame after allowing one run on three hits over five innings of work, striking out four without issuing a walk. Noah Edders spun three innings of one-run ball in relief, keeping the contest tied heading into the ninth. Luis Rujano worked a perfect ninth inning to set up South Bend’s walk off. Jose Escobar earned a pinch-hit walk to start the frame and headed to third on Josiah Hartshorn’s (1-for-3) single. Angel Cepeda (2-for-5) followed by driving a 2-0 pitch into left field, bringing home Escobar to earn the win. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 45–72 Series Opponent: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (64–53) Series Standing: Lose, 6-0 Aug. 23: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were swept in their six-game series vs. the Fayetteville Woodpeckers after dropping both contests in Sunday’s doubleheader at Pelicans Ballpark. The Pelicans fell in the opener, 6-2, before suffering a 6-1 defeat in the nightcap. Game 1: Myrtle Beach dropped the opening contest of its twinbill, 6-2, to Fayetteville on Sunday at Pelicans Ballpark. The Pelicans got on the board in the second on a wild pitch but the Woodpeckers would take a 4-1 lead after scoring twice in both the fourth and fifth innings. Juan Cabada (1-for-4) pulled a run back in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI-single but Fayetteville would put the game away with two runs in the seventh to make it 6-2. Riely Hunsaker got the start on the mound for Myrtle Beach and took the loss, falling to 4-4 on the season. Hunsaker allowed four runs on three hits over four innings of work, walked two and struck out five. Game 2: The Pelicans dropped the doubleheader nightcap, 6-1, seeing their losing streak extend to six games. The Woodpeckers took a 1-0 lead in the first and made it 2-0 with a run in the fourth. Myrtle Beach picked up their lone tally of the contest in the fourth, on a solo blast from Caden Sorrell (1-for-3), but Fayetteville would score four times in the sixth to make it 6-1 and put the ballgame out of reach. Fredd Rodriguez got the start on the mound for the Pelicans and took the loss, falling to 0-3 on the season. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits over five innings of work and whiffed four batters without a walk being issued. View full article