Iowa Cubs Crush Buffalo 12-1 as Farm System Heats Up
The Iowa Cubs delivered their most dominant performance of the week, dismantling the Buffalo Bisons 12-1 on Thursday night. Across the entire Chicago Cubs minor league system, every single affiliate came away with a victory, highlighted by a record-setting strikeout performance in Knoxville and a strong season debut from veteran reliever Liam Hendriks in Arizona.
How did the Iowa Cubs dominate Buffalo?
Triple-A Iowa wasted no time taking control of the game against the Blue Jays affiliate. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Iowa Cubs offense exploded while the pitching staff shut the door the rest of the way.
Andrew Wantz got the start and allowed a run on three singles in the first frame. He quickly settled in, though, throwing four innings total while giving up just one run on four hits. Wantz struck out three and walked one in his first start for Iowa.
Ty Blach handled the final five innings and kept Buffalo completely off the scoreboard. Blach scattered five singles, did not issue a single walk, and struck out six to earn the win.
Jonathon Long leads the offensive explosion
First baseman Jonathon Long put together one of the best individual performances of the season. Long went 3 for 5 with a two-run home run in the fifth inning, his seventh of the year. He added a two-run single, an RBI double, and an RBI groundout to finish the night with six runs batted in. Long also scored twice.
The offensive onslaught did not stop there. Designated hitter Christian Bethancourt launched his eighth home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth inning. Second baseman Owen Miller went 4 for 5 with two doubles and a triple, driving in two and scoring once.
Right fielder Kevin Alcántara continued his strong season with a 4-for-5 performance that included two doubles. The Jaguar scored twice and drove in one. Left fielder BJ Murray went 2 for 4 with a double and was hit by a pitch, crossing the plate twice. Catcher Moisés Ballesteros added an RBI double in his 1-for-4 effort that included a walk.
What roster moves affected the Iowa Cubs?
Iowa right-hander Tyler Beede has elected free agency, opening a spot on the Triple-A roster. To add pitching depth, right-hander Zac Leigh was promoted from the ACL Cubs to Triple-A Iowa.
In other roster news, right-hander Anhuar Garcia was promoted from the ACL Cubs to Low-A Myrtle Beach.
Jace Beck strikes out career-high 11 for Knoxville
Double-A Knoxville continued its winning ways, taking down the Birmingham Barons 3-2. The Smokies are now 4-0 in the second half after clinching the first half title.
Jace Beck turned in what might be the best starting pitching performance by any Cubs minor leaguer this season. Beck pitched six innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out a career-high 11 batters. He walked two.
Tyler Santana allowed a run in the ninth but closed the door for the save. Santana gave up one run on two hits over two innings with one strikeout and no walks.
Left fielder Carter Trice doubled twice in a 2-for-4 night, stole a base, scored once, and drove in one. Third baseman Jefferson Rojas went 2 for 4.
South Bend and Myrtle Beach complete the sweep
High-A South Bend edged out the Quad Cities River Bandits 4-3. Nazier Mulé struggled early, giving up a three-run home run in the first inning to the third batter of the game. The River Bandits managed just two more hits the rest of the way, though. Mulé finished with three runs on three hits over 3.2 innings, walking two and striking out two.
Jackson Brockett was brilliant in relief, retiring the first 14 batters he faced. He gave up a one-out single in the ninth but immediately induced a game-ending double play. Brockett struck out five over 5.1 innings to get the win.
Catcher Justin Stransky hit his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot in the seventh. Shortstop Angel Cepeda delivered the go-ahead hit with a two-run single in the eighth. DH Kane Kepley went 1 for 3 with a double, a stolen base, a sacrifice fly, and a run scored.
Low-A Myrtle Beach rolled past the Salem RidgeYaks 8-1. Starter Pierce Coppola earned the win with four innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits while striking out six and walking two. Daniel Avitia threw a three-inning save, giving up no runs and just one hit with three strikeouts.
Shortstop Alexis Hernández stayed hot at the plate, going 3 for 4 with an RBI triple and two walks. He drove in two runs on the night. Center fielder Darlyn De Leon contributed a two-run double and scored three times. The Pelicans also pushed three runs across in the fifth inning on three bases-loaded walks without recording a single hit in the frame.
Liam Hendriks makes season debut in Arizona
In the Arizona Complex League, the ACL Cubs beat the Rockies 11-7. The biggest story of the game was the season debut of veteran reliever Liam Hendriks. The Australian right-hander pitched the first inning and retired all three batters he faced, striking out two of them. Hendriks is working his way back to the majors and his appearance marks a significant step in that recovery process.
FAQ
Who had the best performance for the Iowa Cubs Thursday night?
First baseman Jonathon Long drove in six runs on a 3-for-5 night that included a home run, a double, and a single. It was one of the most productive offensive performances by an Iowa Cubs player this season.
What is Liam Hendriks' current status?
Liam Hendriks made his season debut in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, pitching one perfect inning with two strikeouts. He is on a rehabilitation assignment as he works his way back to the major league roster.
How are the Knoxville Smokies performing this season?
The Smokies won the first half of their season and have started the second half with a 4-0 record. Their pitching staff, led by starters like Jace Beck, has been a major factor in their sustained success.