Cubs Minor League Wrap: South Bend stops Wisconsin in matinee

Smokies pitcher Jace Beck (32) pitches during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee., on May 7, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Iowa Cubs activated right-hander Andrew Wentz from the Development List. Left-hander Luis Peralta went to the Development List.

Iowa CubsThe Iowa Cubs were pulled into the water by Gannett Stripers (Braves), 7-5.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Jace Beck made his Iowa debut and got rocked for five runs on seven hits over three innings. Beck walked two and struck out three. To be fair, the Stripers were once again loaded with major leaguers in the lineup like Ronald Acuńa Jr., Ha-Seong Kim, Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen and José Azócar.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The loss went to Andrew Wentz, who allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits over three innings. Wentz struck out five and walked just one.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Catcher Owen Ayers was 2 for 4 with an RBI and one run scored.

class="wp-block-paragraph">RBI single for Ayers.

Owen Ayers gets us on the board! pic.twitter.com/fx0j8amJGH

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) July 23, 2026Knoxville SmokiesThe Knoxville Smokies were messed up by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 6-5.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Dawson Netz had a no-hitter going through four innings, but things fell apart in the fifth. Netz took the loss after allowing three runs on one hit and two walks over 4.2 innings. Netz struck out five.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The Smokies scored four runs in the top of the ninth to make the game close, but the rally came on two singles, two walks, two sac flies and two Trash Pandas errors.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Center fielder Andy Garriola went 2 for 2 with two walks and a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Shortstop Karson Simas went 2 for 3 with a bases-loaded walk in the ninth. He scored twice.

South Bend CubsThe South Bend Cubs skinned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 6-3.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Nazier Mulé was activated off the Development List and turned in a solid start, allowing two runs on four hits over four innings. Mulé struck out six and walked just one.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The win went to Brayden Spears, who pitched three innings, the sixth through the eighth, and allowed just one run on two hits. Spears walked two and struck out one.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Grayson Moore retired the side in order in the ninth for the save. He struck out two.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Left fielder Jose Escobar had a huge day, going 4 for 4 with a double and a walk. He drove in three runs and he scored two.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Catcher Justin Stransky was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored one run.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Stransky also had this nice pickoff play.

Defense! 👏👏 Defense! 👏👏#SBCubspic.twitter.com/P9lHzsbzll

— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) July 22, 2026Escobar’s RBI double and then shortstop Angel Cepeda singles him home. Cepeda went 1 for 3 with two walks.

Esky and Ceppy with some needed insurance!#SBCubspic.twitter.com/Y0DlSfDrZY

— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) July 22, 2026Myrtle Beach PelicansRained out. Doubleheader on Friday.

ACL CubsLosing to the Dodgers, 2-1 in the fourth.