Everybody wins! OK, Iowa lost too.
Iowa Boys
The Iowa Cubs’ home field was playable tonight and they split a doubleheader with the Columbus Clippers, losing the first game 9-5 and winning the second game 5-1.
Jordan Wicks started the first game on a rehab assignment and pitched 2+ innings. He lost after allowing four runs on five hits. Wicks managed two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 59 pitches and 36 of them were strikes.
Left fielder Owen Caissie hit a solo home run in the second inning, his 13th of the year. Caissie went 2 for 3.
Shortstop Luis Vazquez then hit a home run against Caissie in the second inning. Vazquez then hit a second solo home run in the seventh inning, which was also his seventh home run of the year. Vazquez is 2 for 3.
Caissie’s home run was very important.
Vazquez’s two home runs:
I have the defense of Kevin Alcantara. Here’s one reason why.
Caleb Kilian had another strong rehab start, playing 4.2 innings and allowing one run on six hits. He struck out six players and walked none. Kilian threw 79 pitches, 55 of which were strikes.
Josh Staumont finished the fifth inning and got the win, walking the first batter he faced and getting the other to pop out.
The I-Cubs did all their damage in the fifth inning, scoring all five runs and having four of their five hits. Second baseman James Triantos tied the game when he brought the left fielder home with a single Cole Roederer.
Triantos went 1 for 3 and scored later in the inning after stealing third base.
Roederer was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.
Third Baseman Matt Shaw was 2 for 3 with a two-run single and a run scored.
RBI single by Triantos.
Shaw’s two-run single.
I’m not sure how far Owen Caissie is supposed to reach in right field, but there’s no doubt about his arm.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies defeated the Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 8-6 in 12 innings.
starter Antonio Santos allowed four runs on three hits in 4.2 innings. That happens when two of the three hits are home runs – a solo home run in the fourth and a three-run home run in the fifth. Santos managed four walks and six strikeouts.
Daniel Missaki pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and Zac Leigh threw two more scoreless innings to end the regulation period.
Blake Whitney pitched the tenth and eleventh innings, allowing an unearned run in each frame, and picked up the win after the Smokies scored twice in the twelfth inning. Whitney allowed two hits. He struck out two players and intentionally walked a batter.
Jeff Belge went scoreless in the 12th inning and earned the save. He did allow one hit at the plate while striking out two, but he struck out the other three batters he faced.
Third Baseman Luis Verdugo hit a game-deciding two-run double in the 12th inning. Verdugo was 2 for 6 with three total RBIs and one run scored.
Left fielder Christian Franklin was 2 for 4 with two walks. He scored twice and scored one run.
Catcher Pablo Aliendo was 2 for 4 with two walks and two RBI.
DH Ezequiel Pagan was 2 for 6 and scored one run.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins) 6-4.
Great start for Will Sanderswho is slowly making a name for himself. Sanders played six innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits. More importantly, Sanders allowed eight strikeouts and no walks.
Brad Depperman threw the ninth and picked up his first save since 2022. Depperman allowed a leadoff single, but then retired the next three batters, striking out the last one.
Red-hot catcher Ethan Hearn hit his ninth home run of the year in the fifth inning with the bases empty. Hearn was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. He was also hit by a pitch.
Left fielder Jordanwent 2 for 3 with a walk and two stolen bases. He scored once and struck out one.
Second Baseman Ed Howard was 2 for 5 with a double.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans defeated the Columbia Fireflies (Royals) in a quick 8-0 victory.
Juan Bello pitched the first six innings and allowed only two hits, both singles. Bello struck out three players and did not allow a walk.
Connor Schultz threw the final 2.1 innings in a no-save situation and allowed only one single. Schultz struck out once and did not allow a walk.
The Pelicans decided the game with a five-run second inning, culminating in a three-run home run by the right fielder. Ivan Brethowrthe first of his professional career. Brethowr was 1 for 4 with a walk.
Shortstop Ramon of Eriandy set a new franchise record for doubles in a game by going 4 for 4 with four doubles and a walk. Ramon scored three times and struck out one.
Midfielder Alfonsin Rosario went 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI.
Highlights:
