The Chicago Cubs’ minor-league affiliates produced a mix of strong pitching, home runs and late-inning drama Friday, while the Iowa Cubs never got onto the field because of rain.
Iowa’s scheduled game was postponed due to weather, with the teams set to make up the contest as part of a doubleheader Saturday.
The Knoxville Smokies provided one of the most dramatic games of the night, holding off the Rocket City Trash Pandas for a 5-4 victory.
Luis Martinez-Gomez started for Knoxville and delivered five strong innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four and walking three. The Smokies built a 5-1 advantage before Rocket City mounted a comeback in the ninth inning.
Reliever Marino Santy struggled to close out the game, allowing three runs while recording only one out. He surrendered one hit, walked three batters and hit another before Grayson Moore entered with the tying run threatening. Moore recorded the final two outs to preserve the victory and earn the save.
Carter Trice provided much of Knoxville’s offense. He hit a solo home run in the sixth inning for his 14th homer of the season and finished the game 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI.
Kane Kepley also delivered an important hit, driving in two runs with a double in the fifth inning.
The South Bend Cubs also had a successful night, defeating the Great Lakes Loons 6-2 behind a strong start from Alfredo Romero.
Romero pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. South Bend’s offense gave him support early and continued adding runs throughout the game.
Angel Cepeda opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning. It was his fifth home run of the season overall and his fourth since joining South Bend. Cepeda finished with one hit and a walk in four at-bats.
Michael Hallquist added another solo home run in the sixth inning, giving him six homers on the season.
At the Single-A level, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans received an unusual pitching performance from David Avitia but ultimately fell 11-7 to the Hill City Howlers.
Avitia did not allow a hit over five innings, although the Howlers managed to score a run in the first. A walk, stolen base, groundout and sacrifice fly produced the run without the benefit of a hit.
The game changed after Avitia left. Hill City scored five runs in the seventh inning as the Myrtle Beach bullpen struggled to contain the Howlers’ offense.
Myrtle Beach continued fighting at the plate. Derik Alcantara hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning. It was his first homer with Myrtle Beach and his second overall this season.
Derniche Valdez also had a productive game, going 2-for-3 and driving in two runs with a triple in the second inning.
Center fielder Ethan Conrad reached base four times, finishing 1-for-2 with three walks.
Across the Cubs’ minor-league system, the night featured several promising individual performances. Trice continued his power surge for Knoxville, Romero delivered five scoreless innings for South Bend, and Avitia managed five no-hit innings for Myrtle Beach despite the Pelicans eventually losing the game.
The Iowa Cubs will look to return to action Saturday after Friday’s rainout, while the organization’s other affiliates continue their weekend series.