Iowa Cubs Edge St. Paul, Roster Moves Follow

Roster Shuffle at Iowa and Knoxville

Iowa left‑hander Josh Fleming has been placed on the development list, a move that sends him to a lower‑level affiliate for extended work. Right‑hander Ryan Jensen was lifted from the ACL Cubs and promoted to Double‑A Knoxville, marking a step up for the promising arm. Development‑list assignments are common for players needing refined mechanics or more frequent innings at a lesser level. The pair of changes keep Iowa’s rotation fresh while giving both prospects a new environment to sharpen their skills.

Iowa’s 7‑4 Win Over St. Paul Saints

Jaxon Wiggins returned from the injured list and opened the game with three runs allowed on three hits and three walks over 2.2 innings, striking out four and cruising at 96.1 mph with a 98 mph fastball. He settled after the shaky first and limited the Saints to three runs the rest of the way. Zac Leigh inherited the ball in the third, tossed 1.1 innings with a single hit and two strikeouts, earning the victory. Grant Kipp followed with three scoreless frames, yielding one hit and one walk while fanning a batter. Eduarniel Nuñez closed out the contest, retiring six hitters in order and collecting his first save of the season.

Offensively, catcher Christian Bethancourt went 3‑for‑4 with a double, driving in two runs and scoring another. Center fielder Brett Bateman added a walk, a stolen base and an RBI bunt single in the second inning, later crossing home on an Owen Miller single. Right fielder Owen Miller contributed a two‑hit night with an RBI and a run scored, helping Iowa build a comfortable lead early.

Knoxville Smokies Edge Biloxi Shuckers 7‑3

Dawson Netz started for Knoxville, holding Biloxi to three runs on four hits over five innings while striking out five and hitting a batter. Erian Rodriguez inherited a high‑walk inning but kept the Shuckers off the board, delivering a win after 1.1 innings with one hit allowed and five walks to just one strikeout. Evan Taylor cleaned up in the seventh, recording a save with 2.2 innings of one‑hit, zero‑run ball and three strikeouts. Catcher Owen Ayers paced the offense with a 3‑for‑5 performance, driving in three runs and scoring once. Designated hitter Alex Ramírez added a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored from his 2‑for‑4 outing.

Left fielder Andy Garriola tallied a double, a walk and two hits in three at‑bats, bolstering the Smokies’ attack. The win improves Knoxville’s record and keeps them within striking distance of the division leader as the calendar turns toward the mid‑season stretch.

South Bend Cubs Roll to an 18‑8 Victory

Pierce Coppola made his Midwest League debut for South Bend, surrendering six runs on four hits and four walks over three innings, including a grand slam in the third. Ethan Flanagan turned the tide, pitching the final four frames without allowing a run and striking out seven while walking one, earning the win. The Cubs mashed 15 hits, highlighted by seven runs in the third and another five in the ninth. Third baseman Matt Halbach collected a 3‑for‑6 night with a double, a stolen base, three runs and two RBIs. Josiah Hartshorn added a triple, a walk, two runs driven in and a personal run scored from his 2‑for‑5 effort.

Catcher Logan Poteet doubled twice, finishing 2‑for‑5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Left fielder Jose Escobar contributed a double, a walk, a steal, two runs and a single RBI. Shortstop Angel Cepeda went 2‑for‑5 with a walk, one run and two RBIs. Right fielder Miguel Useche added a walk, three runs and an RBI from a 2‑for‑4 outing.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Fall 9‑7 to Fredericksburg Nationals

Starter Braylon Myers allowed four runs on four hits over four innings, issuing four walks and striking out three. Hayden Frank turned in the next three innings, giving up three runs on five hits, taking the loss while fanning two and walking none. Third baseman Ludwing Espinoza snapped a quiet streak with his first Pelicans home run, plating a runner in the third. Shortstop Derniche Valdez paced the batting with a double and two runs scored from a 2‑for‑5 night. First baseman Edward Vargas went 2‑for‑3 with a double, a walk and an RBI single in the fourth, also scoring once.

ACL Cubs Drop a 13‑4 Decision

The ACL Cubs fell to the Diamondbacks 13‑4 in the eighth inning, marking a tough back‑to‑back loss for the rookie affiliate. The contest highlighted the developmental nature of the Arizona Complex League, where players see high‑velocity pitching and must adjust quickly. While the loss does not affect the main roster, it serves as a learning experience for the prospects battling for regular‑season spots.