Cubs Minor League Wrap: Hartshorn’s Two-Run Blast Paces South Bend Over Wisconsin

James Triantos has been promoted to the Cubs for his major-league debut, per sources ahead of expected news. Kevin Alcantara has been sent down to Iowa, while Jacob Wallace moves from the rookie ball ACL Cubs to Double-A Knoxville. The Cubs signed Wallace as a free agent on July 2.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs secured a 4-2 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers). Ethan Flanagan earned the win with five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits. The lone run came via a third-inning home run. Flanagan struck out four and walk one.

Ben Johnson pitched two scoreless relief innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one. Luis Rujano exited the ninth after surrendering a run, prompting Ethan Bell to enter with a critical sequence: a runner on first and one out. The runner on first attempted a steal, was tagged out, and Bell followed up with a flyout to center to secure the save.

Josiah Hartshorn delivered a defining moment with a two-run home run in the seventh inning, his first since a two-week absence. This marked Hartshorn’s 16th home run of the season and his 11th with South Bend. He went 2 for 3, added a double, a walk, and scored three times.

Jose Escobar contributed an RBI triple in the game, going 2 for 4. Shortstop Angel Cepeda recorded 2 for 4, while center fielder Kane Kepley doubled walked twice in the outfield, scoring on Hartshorn’s home run. Cade Snell added an RBI double as the left fielder after walking once. Ethan Flanagan’s performance stabilized the game, with Escobar’s triple and Hartshorn’s blast driving the Cubs’ offense.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies fell to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels) 5-4. Starter Brody McCullough pitched 4.2 hitless innings but exited in the fifth after Frank Scalzo Jr. allowed an inherited run on the first Trash Panda hit. McCullough walked three and struck out three. Scalzo surrendered three more runs in the sixth, though the Smokies tied the game late. Tyler Santana entered in the ninth with the score tied 4-4, allowing three hits and the walk-off run in one inning, earning the loss. Santana recorded no walks or strikeouts.

Ethan Hearn opened the scoring with a home run in the fourth, his fourth of the season. He went 1 for 4. Andy Garriola tied the game 4-4 with a three-run home run in the seventh, his 18th of the year. Garriola finished 2 for 4 with a walk. Jefferson Rojas added two hits and a double, scoring on Garriola’s blast. Alex Madera went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Ethan Hearn’s and Andy Garriola’s fence-clearing hits defined the Smokies’ offensive efforts.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs defeated the Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) 4-2 before a rainout shortened the game to five innings. Jaxon Wiggins started and took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. He struggled with control, walking three and striking out two. Brett Bateman went 2 for 3 with a double and scored both Iowa runs.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Doubleheader postponed due to rain. Rescheduled to play a doubleheader Friday and Sunday.

ACL Cubs

The Arizona Complex League Cubs concluded their season with a 7-1 win over the Guardians. The Mesa Cubs finished 20-39, outperforming both the Athletics in their division and the White Sox overall.

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