Cubs Minor League Wrap: Ben Cowles hits 2 HRs as Iowa routs St. Paul

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs blasphemed the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 10-3.

Kohl Franklin had a very good start as he works his way back from missing almost two years. Franklin allowed just one run on three hits over four innings. The one run came on a home run by the first hitter of the game, Walker Jenkins, the Twins’ top prospect. Franklin walked two and struck out three.

Evan Taylor pitched the next two innings and got the win because Franklin didn’t go five innings. But Taylor did not allow a run. He gave up two hits, walked none and struck out two.

The I-Cubs struck back with six runs in the bottom of the first inning, thanks to three Iowa home runs. First, DH Owen Miller tied the game with a solo home run, his seventh of the year. Miller went 1 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored twice.

Next up, third baseman Ben Cowles hit a three-run home run to give Iowa the lead for good. But Cowles wasn’t done, as he hit a solo home run in the fifth inning as well. Cowles went 3 for 3 with a walk and the two home runs. he had five total runs batted in.

Catcher Ethan Hearn hit the third and final home run of the first inning with the bases empty. Hearn went 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs batted in. He has six home runs this year, two with the Cubs.

Cowles solo home run in the fifth inning was a back-to-back blast with left fielder Greg Jones’ solo shot. That was Jones’ second Iowa home run and third overall. Jones went 2 for 4 with a walk and two steals. He scored three times.

Second baseman Ed Howard was 2 for 4 with one run scored.

Miller’s first home run.

Cowles gives Iowa the lead.

Ethan Hearn goes back-to-back.

The velocity is back for Franklin.

Greg Jones goes deep.

And Cowles says two home runs are better than one.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies grounded the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 6-1.

Starter Brody McCullough was sharp as he allowed just one run on three hits over five innings. McCullough struck out eight Trash Pandas and walked none.

Daniel Palencia then pitched the sixth inning in a rehab assignment and did much better than the last time out. Palencia didn’t strike anyone out, but he did retire the side in order on three ground outs. Palencia threw ten pitches, eight for strikes.

The win went to Yenrri Rojas, who threw two scoreless innings after Palencia. Rojas allowed just one hit. He struck out two and walked no one.

Catcher Miguel Useche hit a three-run double in the seventh inning. Useche went 2 for 4.

Right fielder Alex Ramírez went 3 for 5. He drove in one run and scored one run.

Shortstop Karson Simas was 3 for 4. He scored one run and had one RBI.

Useche’s three-run double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were swamped by the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 8-6.

Nazier Mulé started and took the loss after he was rocked for eight runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. One of the eight runs was unearned. Mulé walked three and struck out three.

Catcher Logan Poteet clubbed a solo home run in the second inning, It was his fifth with South Bend and 19th overall. Poteet went 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Third baseman Matt Halbach homered with the bases empty in the seventh inning. It was Halbach’s tenth home run this year. Halbach was 2 for 4.

First baseman Josiah Hartshorn was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Lumpuy scored one run.

Poteet’s home run.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans soothed the Hill City Howlers (Guardians), 11-4.

Ninth-round pick Chase Meyer made his prod debut a successful one, going 3.1 innings and allowing just one run on three hits. Meyer struck out six and walked three.

Tenth-round pick Luke Alwood’s second pro appearance was a strong as the first one. He’s now 2-0 in two appearances after surrendering no runs on just one hit over three innings. Alwood struck out five and walked one.

Shortstop Corey Nunez went 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored two runs and drove in two.

Right fielder Ethan Conrad was 2 for 5 with a triple and an RBI single. He scored once.

Center fielder Caden Sorrell went 2 for 5. He scored twice and drove in one.

Second baseman Juan Cabada got his first two hits in Low-A, going 2 for 5 with a double. He scored one run and drove in one.

Catcher Jose Silva was 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. Silva scored twice and had one RBI.

Highlights.