Right-hander Zach Pop was promoted to Triple-A Iowa from the rookie league ACL Cubs.
Right-hander Caleb Kilian was activated off the 60-day injured list and re-joined Iowa.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs bleached the Worcester Red Sox, 8-5.
Chris Kachmar put Iowa in an early hole when he gave up four runs in the top of the first. Kachmar’s final line was five runs on six hits over 2.2 innings. Kachmar walked three and struck out four.
Riley Martin took over for Kachmar in the third inning and got the win after Iowa struck
back. Martin pitched 1.1 innings and allowed just one walk and no hits or runs. He struck out two.
Caleb Kilian pitched two scoreless innings of relief in his first game for Iowa since early April. Kilian gave up one hit. He walked two and struck out two.
Ethan Roberts threw the final 1.2 innings and retired all five batters he faced for the save. Roberts struck out two.
Caleb Knight got his first start behind the plate since May 28 (and only fifth overall start since then—the other four were as a DH) and ended up being the big hero. Knight hit a three-run home run in the third inning, his second on the year. Knight was 2 for 3 with the home run and he was hit by a pitch. He even stole a base. Knight scored twice.
Iowa took the lead in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by shortstop Hayden Cantrelle. It was Cantrelle’s second home run this season. He went 2 for 3 with a triple, the home run and a walk. Cantrelle scored twice.
Left fielder Forrest Wall went 2 for 3 with a walk and one RBI. He scored on Cantrelle’s home run.
Second baseman James Triantos was 2 for 5 with two steals and one run scored.
Cantrelle’s home run.
Some defense by right fielder Parker Chavers. Chavers was 1 for 4.
Knoxville Smokies
The Knoxville Smokies took the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels) to the landfill, 13-5.
Grant Kipp tossed the first three innings and gave up one run on one hit. He did walk three and hit one batter while striking out two.
The win was awarded to Evan Taylor, who pitched the fifth, sixth and seventh innings and allowed just one unearned run on one hit. He struck out four and walked one.
The Trash Pandas scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth off of catcher Jake Opitz, who went to the mound with a 13-2 lead.
The Smokies scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. First baseman BJ Murray Jr. had a two-run single in the first and a two-run home run in the third, his 18th on the season. Murray was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and the four RBI.
Left fielder Jordan Nwogu doubled twice in a 2 for 5 game. Nwogu drove in three runs and scored two.
Third baseman Reivaj Garcia was 3 for 5. He scored twice and drove in one.
Center fielder Brett Bateman went 2 for 3 with a walk. He drove in three runs and scored one.
Second baseman Pedro Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs batted in.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs were grounded by the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins), 1-0. The loss drops the two teams back into a tie for first place in the second half.
Tough-luck loss for Yenrri Rojas, who gave up just one run on five hits over six innings. Rojas struck out six and walked just one.
Yency Almonte struck out the side in order in his one inning of work.
South Bend had just four hits and drew just two walks. DH Brian Kalmer was 1 for 3 with a double, the only extra-base hit for South Bend.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans captured the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 8-5.
Starter Ronny Lopez came an out away from qualifying for a win, allowing one run on four hits over 4.2 innings. He walked two and struck out two.
Dawson Netz was awarded the win because Lopez didn’t go five innings. Netz pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Netz also walked two and struck out two.
The Pelicans scored four runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed after that. First baseman Matt Halbach hit a two-run single in the first. He went 1 for 5.
DH Eli Lovich went 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI. He scored once.
Third baseman Christian Olivo was 2 for 3.
The triple by Lovich.
