Iowa Cubs Shine in First Ever Trip to Georgia, Top Gwinnett 7-4
DES MOINES, IA — The Iowa Cubs made history and delivered a win in their first ever trip to Georgia, defeating the Gwinnett Stripers 7-4 on Wednesday night. The game featured a 17-minute delay when the lights went out in the sixth inning, but the Cubs kept their focus and secured a solid victory.
Pitching Staff Steps Up
Starter Grant Kipp faced a tough Gwinnett lineup that included five veteran major leaguers: Ronald Acuña Jr., Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen, Rowdy Tellez, and Ha-Seong Kim. Kipp battled through 3.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out five and walking one.
Josh Fleming then took over and delivered a dominant performance, pitching the final five innings. He allowed just one run on three hits, struck out two, and walked no one to earn the win.
Key Hits Drive the Offense
Shortstop Ben Cowles led the offensive charge, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored, and one RBI. Third baseman Owen Miller went 2 for 5 with a three-run double in the sixth inning — a ball that Acuña ironically lost in the lights. Left fielder Jonathon Long also contributed, going 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Other Cubs Affiliates See Action
The Cubs organization also announced several roster moves. Free agent outfielder Greg Jones has been signed and assigned to Triple-A Iowa. Left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming was activated from the Development List and assigned to Iowa. Right-handed pitcher Connor Schultz was activated from the Development List and assigned to Double-A Knoxville.
In Knoxville, the Smokies edged the Montgomery Trash Pandas 4-3. Right fielder Alex Ramírez stole the show, homering twice — including a two-run shot in the fifth — to account for all four Smokies runs. He went 3 for 4 with four RBIs. Starter Connor Schultz got the win after five innings of two-run ball, and Tyler Ras earned the save with two scoreless innings.
In South Bend, the Cubs beat the Wisconsin TimberRattlers 5-2. Center fielder Kane Kepley went 2 for 3 with a double, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Jose Escobar drove in three runs despite no hits, using a fielder's choice, a sacrifice fly, and a groundout.
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were one-hit in a 1-0 loss to the Hickory Crawdads, while the ACL Cubs fell 6-0 to the Giants in a game where they were no-hit.
The Iowa Cubs continue their road trip this week, looking to build on this historic win.