Minor League Wrap: Ben Cowles homers twice as Iowa beat Columbus, 7-2

Iowa blast past Columbus and Myrtle Beach blows by Augusta.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs broadsided the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 7-2.

Will Sanders improved his Triple-A record to 5-0 with 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball. Sanders gave up three hits. He struck out eight and walked just one.

Tommy Romero went the rest of the way and got the save. Romero allowed two runs on two hits over 3.1 innings. Romero walked one and struck out one.

Shortstop Ben Cowles hit two two-run home runs tonight. The first one came in the second inning and one in the fourth inning, giving him six on the season. Cowles went 3 for 4.

Right fielder Christian Franklin clubbed a three-run home run in the seventh inning, his seventh on the season. Franklin was 3 for 4. He scored twice and had four total RBI.

Cowles home run number one.

And Cowles home run number two.

Franklin’s home run.

A great outfield assist by Owen Caissie in left field.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were oppressed by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 4-2.

Jaxon Wiggins returned to the mound after his mid-season innings-limit break and pitched two scoreless innings. Wiggins gave up no hits and walked one while striking out five.

Grant Kipp relieved Wiggins and took the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits over 3.1 innings. One of the three runs was unearned. Kipp walked three, hit one batter and did not strike anyone out.

Both Smokies runs came on a two-run double by left fielder Andy Garriola in the second inning. He wa 1 for 4.

Right fielder Felix Stevens was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored on Garriola’s double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were decoyed by the Beloti Sky Carp (Marlins), 3-1.

Evan Aschenbeck shut out the Sky Carp for the first five innings, giving up just two hits. Aschenbeck walked three and struck out one.

Kenten Egbert gave up a two-run home run in the top of the seventh and took the loss. Egbert’s final line was two runs on three hits over two innings. Egbert struck out two and walked no one.

South Bend’s only run came on a home run in the bottom of the seventh by center fielder Carter Trice. It was his 11th on the season. Trice went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Trice’s home run.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans swatted the Augusta GreenJackets (Braves), 12-1.

Ethan Flanagan turned in five strong innings and got the win. Flanagan allowed just one run on four hits. He walked one, hit two batters and struck out three.

The Pelicans took the lead on a two-run home run by third baseman Angel Cepeda in the second inning, his fourth on the year. Cepeda also had two more RBI singles, giving him four total RBI. Cepeda was 3 for 4 and scored twice.

Center fielder Leonel Espinoza cranked his sixth home run this season in the third inning with a man on. Espinoza was 2 for 5 with the two RBI and two runs scored. He also stole one base.

DH Jose Escobar went 2 for 3 with a double and a sacrifice fly. He scored twice.

Second baseman Ty Southisene was 2 for 5 with one run scored.

Cepeda’s home run.

A nice diving catch by right fielder Alexey Lumpuy.

Espinoza’s home run.

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Angels, 9-1.

Spencer Turnbull allowed just one run on one hit over four innings in his Cubs debut. Turnbull walked two and struck out five.