Iowa Cubs Update: Hartshorn Homers Again, Little Demoted
Josiah Hartshorn continues a remarkable power surge for the South Bend Cubs, while left-handed pitcher Luke Little was demoted to Double-A Knoxville. The Triple-A Iowa Cubs settled for a 4-4 tie against Louisville after rain washed out their 10th-inning rally, and the Knoxville Smokies claimed sole possession of first place in the Southern League North Division.
What happened with the Iowa Cubs?
The Iowa Cubs were forced to settle for a 4-4 tie against the Louisville Bats on Sunday. Iowa appeared to win the game in the top of the 10th inning, scoring five runs including a three-run home run by James Triantos. However, rain halted play before the bottom of the 10th could begin, forcing the score to revert to the previous inning's 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 Héctor Rodríguez. Triantos finished 2 for 4 with two runs batted in, while right fielder Justin Dean went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.
How did Luke Little look in his Double-A return?
The Chicago Cubs demoted left-hander Luke Little to Double-A Knoxville from Triple-A Iowa. Little made his first appearance with the Smokies since 2023, pitching the eighth inning and earning the win in a 4-3 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits. He walked one batter but immediately picked him off first base. Little then allowed a two-out single before ending the inning with a strikeout.
The win, combined with a loss by the Lookouts, moved the Smokies into sole possession of first place in the Southern League North Division. Brooks Caple started for Knoxville, allowing three unearned runs on two hits over five innings. Yenrri Rojas threw two scoreless innings in relief. Erian Rodriguez pitched the ninth to secure his first professional save.
At the plate, first baseman Cameron Sisneros hit a solo home run in the eighth to tie the game. It was his first Double-A home run and seventh overall. Sisneros went a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks. Catcher Owen Ayers doubled twice and walked once. DH Andy Garriola drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth, finishing 1 for 4 with a triple. Third baseman Jefferson Rojas went 3 for 5, and right fielder Alex Ramírez went 2 for 5 with three stolen bases.
Can anyone stop Josiah Hartshorn?
South Bend Cubs designated hitter Josiah Hartshorn is putting up numbers that invite comparisons to Kris Bryant's 2014 Double-A campaign. Hartshorn hit his eighth home run in just 18 games at South Bend, and his 13th overall this season. He went 3 for 4 with a walk, a solo home run, a stolen base, and two runs batted in.
The South Bend Cubs dominated the Peoria Cardinals 10-3. Right fielder Miguel Useche contributed a three-run home run in the fifth, his seventh with South Bend. Left fielder Jose Escobar hit a two-run triple in the first, and second baseman Alex Madera went 2 for 5 with three steals. Third baseman Matt Halbach went 2 for 5 with two runs scored.
On the mound, Alfredo Romero allowed three runs on three hits over three innings. Nazier Mulé earned the win with three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out four. Kenton Egbert, Nate Williams, and Ethan Bell each threw a scoreless inning to close out the game.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans edge out Augusta
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans defeated the Augusta GreenJackets 6-5. Starter Pierce Coppola allowed just one run on three hits over four innings. David Bracho earned the win despite giving up a three-run home run in the seventh, finishing with three runs allowed on one hit over four innings. Jordan Henriquez recorded the save, allowing a solo home run in the ninth before securing the final out.
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 hit his fourth home run of the season in the fourth. Catcher Logan Poteet hit a two-run homer in the fifth, giving him ten home runs on the year. Poteet went 3 for 4 with three runs batted in.