Cubs Fall Flat Against Yankees as Iowa Native Antoine Kelly Shines in MLB Debut
By John Damon
Iowa baseball fans got a glimpse of the future Friday afternoon, even as the Chicago Cubs stumbled to a 2-0 loss against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field. The big story for the Hawkeye State? Left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly, just called up from Triple-A Iowa, made a memorable Major League debut.
Kelly, who has been turning heads with the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines, threw 1.1 scoreless innings. He allowed no hits, walked one, and struck out one. That strikeout came against Yankees slugger Ben Rice with two runners on base in the eighth inning, a moment that had Cubs fans buzzing despite the loss.
Kelly's fastball sat at an easy 97 mph, and his command looked sharp. For a Cubs team that has struggled to develop homegrown pitching, Kelly's performance offers a reason for optimism. If he keeps throwing like this, he could be a key piece of the Cubs' bullpen for years to come.
How the Yankees Won
The game was decided by two solo home runs off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. The Japanese left-hander actually pitched well, going 6.2 innings with four hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. But those two long balls were enough to doom the Cubs against Yankees starter Will Warren.
Warren held the Cubs to just four hits over seven innings. Chicago's best chance came in the seventh inning, when Alex Bregman and Ian Happ singled with two outs. Nico Hoerner then hit a ground ball that initially looked like it would load the bases, but a replay review overturned the call, ending the inning.
That was as close as the Cubs came to scoring all afternoon.
What This Means for Iowa
For Iowa Cubs fans, Kelly's debut is a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating season. The 25-year-old lefty has been dominant in Triple-A, and his ability to handle pressure in a big league setting suggests he could be ready for a regular role in Chicago's bullpen.
Iowa has long been a pipeline for Cubs talent, and Kelly's success is a reminder of the importance of the Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines. If Kelly continues to develop, he could become a fan favorite in both Iowa and Chicago.
Looking Ahead
The Cubs and Yankees will meet again Saturday evening at Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT, with coverage on Fox. David Peterson will start for the Cubs against Yankees lefty Max Fried.
For Iowa fans, the game will be available on MLB.TV and MLB Extra Innings even if it's not on the local Fox affiliate.
The loss dropped the Cubs' all-time interleague record against the Yankees to 9-20, their worst mark against any American League team. But with Kelly emerging as a potential bullpen arm, there are reasons for hope in the second half of the season.
Key Takeaways
- Antoine Kelly, called up from Triple-A Iowa, pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in his MLB debut
- Shota Imanaga allowed two solo home runs but pitched well overall
- The Cubs managed just four hits and never scored
- The series continues Saturday at 6:15 p.m. CT on Fox