Cubs Minor League Wrap: Kane Kepley leads Knoxville past Rocket City

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were excommunicated by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 2-1.

Jordan Wicks turned in his second-straight start of five innings and two runs, but he took the loss anyway. Wicks surrendered four hits. He struck out six and walked two.

Daniel Palencia pitched a scoreless sixth inning in a rehab appearance. Palencia gave up a one-out single, but otherwise struck out the side. Palencia’s fastball was consistently 97-to-99 miles per hour and he hit 100 on his final pitch.

The I-Cubs managed to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out and they failed to get the tying run across after a Jordan Nwogu pop out and a Justin Dean fly out.

Right fielder Kevin Alcántara was 2 for 4.

Here’s Palencia hitting 100.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies burned down the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 5-4.

Kevin Valdez started and got the win. Valdez pitched six innings and surrendered two runs on four hits. He struck out six and walked one.

Vince Reilly pitched the ninth inning and got a very ugly save. Reilly gave up two runs on one hit, one walk and two hit batsmen. The one hit was a two-run home run with no outs in the inning. Reilly did not strike anyone out, but he did induce a key double play when he needed it.

Center fielder Kane Kepley hit his second Double-A home run in the fourth inning with two men on. Kepley went 3 for 4 with two runs scored.

First baseman Drew Bowser was 3 for 4 and scored one run.

Shortstop Alex Madera went 2 for 2 with a walk. He scored twice.

Kepley’s home run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs decoyed the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), 7-4.

Starter Ethan Flanagan pitched 4.1 innings and held the Loons to one run on four hits. He did struggle with his control as Flanagan walked three and hit one batter. He struck out one.

J.P. Wheat pitched the bottom of the seventh and got the win after South Bend took the lead in the top of the eighth. Wheat issued a one-out walk, but no other baserunners. He struck out two in his one inning.

Jose Romero threw the final two innings without allowing a run and got the save. Romero allowed one hit. He struck out four and walked no one, but he did hit a batter.

First baseman Brennan Hudson hit his first career home run with two men on in the seventh inning. Hudson went 2 for 4 with four total runs batted in.

Two batters later in the seventh, right fielder Geuri Lubo hit a solo home run to tie the game up 4-4. It was Lubo’s second South Bend home run and eighth overall. Lubo was 1 for 4.

Left fielder Kade Snell was 3 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. He scored one run.

Second baseman Jose Escobar was 2 for 4 with a walk and one run scored.

Hudson’s home run.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Rained out. The game will not be made up.