Iowa Cubs Rained Out of Win as Luke Little Sent to Double-A
The Iowa Cubs lost a potential extra-inning victory to rain on Sunday, settling for a 4-4 tie with Louisville. Chicago Cubs left-hander Luke Little was demoted from Triple-A Iowa to Double-A Knoxville the same day, while rising prospect Josiah Hartshorn continued his power surge with yet another home run for South Bend.
What happened to the Iowa Cubs on Sunday?
The Iowa Cubs appeared ready to secure a dramatic road win over the Louisville Bats. Iowa scored five runs in the top of the tenth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from center fielder James Triantos. But heavy rain forced officials to call the game before the bottom of the tenth could be played, reverting the final score to a 4-4 tie.
Starter Doug Nikhazy pitched four innings, allowing two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Both runs came on a fourth-inning home run by Louisville's Héctor Rodríguez.
Triantos finished 2 for 4 with two runs batted in. He would have had five RBIs had the tenth inning counted. Right fielder Justin Dean went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. Dean also had a two-run single in the tenth that was wiped from the scoreboard.
Why was Luke Little demoted to Double-A?
The Chicago Cubs organization demoted left-handed pitcher Luke Little from Triple-A Iowa to Double-A Knoxville on Sunday. Little made his first appearance for the Smokies since 2023, pitching the bottom of the eighth inning against Montgomery.
Little walked one batter but quickly erased him with a pickoff move to first base. He then allowed a two-out single before recording his only strikeout to finish the inning. Little earned the win in Knoxville's 4-3 victory over the Biscuits.
The move gives Little a chance to sharpen his command at the Double-A level. The hard-throwing lefty remains one of Chicago's top bullpen prospects.
How is Josiah Hartshorn performing in South Bend?
Outfielder Josiah Hartshorn is putting together one of the most impressive power displays in recent minor league memory. The South Bend Cubs designated hitter hit his eighth home run in just 18 games since joining the team, a solo shot in the eighth inning of a 10-3 win over Peoria.
Hartshorn now has 13 home runs overall this season. He went 3 for 4 with a walk, the home run, a stolen base, and two RBIs against the Chiefs. The only reasonable comparison is Kris Bryant, who hit .355 with 22 home runs in 68 games for Double-A Tennessee in 2014, though Bryant was 22 and coming out of college at the time.
South Bend got contributions throughout the lineup. Right fielder Miguel Useche hit a three-run home run in the fifth, his seventh with South Bend and eighth overall. Left fielder Jose Escobar drove in two with a triple in the first inning. Second baseman Alex Madera went 2 for 5 with three stolen bases. Third baseman Matt Halbach went 2 for 5 and scored twice.
On the mound, Alfredo Romero allowed three runs on three hits over three innings, with all the damage coming on a third-inning home run. Nazier Mulé picked up the win with three scoreless innings of relief, striking out four. Kenton Egbert, Nate Williams, and Ethan Bell each threw a scoreless inning to close it out.
What did the other Cubs affiliates do on Sunday?
Knoxville Smokies take over first place
The Knoxville Smokies moved into sole possession of first place in the Southern League North Division with a 4-3 win over Montgomery, combined with a Lookouts loss. The Smokies and Lookouts begin a crucial six-game series in Knoxville on Tuesday to close out the first half.
Brooks Caple started and allowed three unearned runs on two hits over five innings. A throwing error by Caple opened the door for a three-run third inning for Montgomery. Yenrri Rojas threw two scoreless innings in relief, giving up just one hit.
Erian Rodriguez earned his first professional save with a scoreless ninth, striking out two. At the plate, first baseman Cameron Sisneros hit his first Double-A home run, a solo shot in the eighth that tied the game. Sisneros went a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks. DH Andy Garriola drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth, finishing 1 for 4 with a triple. Catcher Owen Ayers doubled twice and walked once. Third baseman Jefferson Rojas went 3 for 5, and right fielder Alex Ramírez went 2 for 5 with three stolen bases.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans edge Augusta
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans hit three home runs in a 6-5 win over the Augusta GreenJackets. Right fielder Alexey Lumpuy led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run, his third of the year. Left fielder Geuri Lubo added a solo shot in the fourth, his fourth of the season. Catcher Logan Poteet hit a two-run homer in the fifth, giving him ten home runs this year.
Poteet went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, also adding an RBI double in the third inning. Starter Pierce Coppola went four innings and allowed one run on three hits. David Bracho got the win despite allowing a three-run home run in the seventh. Jordan Henriquez recorded the save, allowing a solo home run with two outs in the ninth before getting a groundout to end it.
Where do the Iowa Cubs play?
The Iowa Cubs play at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and compete in the International League.
Who is Josiah Hartshorn?
Josiah Hartshorn is a Chicago Cubs prospect currently playing for the South Bend Cubs in High-A. He has hit eight home runs in 18 games since joining South Bend, and 13 overall this season. His power surge has drawn comparisons to Kris Bryant's minor league dominance in 2014.
What is Luke Little's role in the Cubs organization?
Luke Little is a left-handed pitching prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization. He was recently demoted from Triple-A Iowa to Double-A Knoxville, where he made his first appearance since 2023 on Sunday, earning the win in relief.