Minor League Wrap: Ben Brown dominates as Iowa beats St. Paul 8-2.

Iowa, Knoxville and South Bend head off to the All-Star Break right.

This is the final Minor League Wrap until Friday as the minor leagues now take the All-Star Break off like the majors do. Actually, the Arizona Complex League will continue to play games, but I’m not going to do a wrap just for them.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs deconsecrated the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 8-2.

Ben Brown did what Cubs fans want him to do—get the win, throw five scoreless innings and allow just two hits. Brown struck out five and walked no one.

Third baseman Dixon Machado hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, his fourth on teh season. Machad went 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Shortstop Ben Cowles doubled twice in a 3 for 5 game. One of those doubles drove in a run. Cowles scored twice.

First baseman Jonathon Long went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and a sacrifice fly. Long scored one run.

Center fielder James Triantos was 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He had one RBI and one run scored.

A diving catch from right fielder Greg Allen.

Machado’s home run.

RBI double for Cowles.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies ate the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 3-0.

Sam Armstrong had a no-hitter going through five innings. He gave up a hit to lead off the sixth inning and that ended his day. He walked two and struck out six.

Mitchell Tyranski relieved Armstorng the top of the sixth inning and got the win when the Smokies took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Tyranski loaded the bases with a single and a walk, but got out of the two-out jam. Tyranski did not strike anyone out in his one inning.

Sam Thoresen and Brad Deppermann both pitcheed one scoreless inning before AJ Puckett came on to pitch the ninth inning. Puckett allowed a one-out double but no other runners. He struck out one as he picked up his 14th save.

Third baseman BJ Murray Jr. broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the sixth, scoring second baseman Pedro Ramirez. Murray was 1 for 3 with a walk. He leads the Southern League in RBI with 57.

Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a double.

Right fielder Felix Stevens hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning. It was his sixth home run this year and second with the Smokies. Stevens went 1 for 3.

Murray’s RBI single.

Stevens’ home run was a cloud scraper.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs defanged the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 5-4.

Connor Schultz pitched the first five innings, gave up three runs on six hits and got the win. Schultz struck out six and walked one.

Grayson Moore pitched the ninth inning and got the save. He gave up a leadoff single and that runner immediately went to third base on a stolen base and a throwing error by catcher Ariel Armas. But with a runner on third, no outs and a one-run lead, Moore struck out two and got a grounder to first to end the game.

Third baseman Reginald Preciado had an RBI groundout in the second inning and an RBI double in the eighth. Preciado went 2 for 4. He scored one run and had those two RBI. Preciado also had one of the Cubs’ seven steals in this game.

Right fielder Ivan Brethowr was 1 for 2 with a steal. He scored twice.

A two-run single for Rafael Morel, Morel was 1 for 4 with a steal.

Preciado’s RBI double.

Moore pitches out of the jam.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans fizzled out against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 4-2.

Nazier Mulé started and took the loss. Mulé gave up three runs on five hits over 4.1 innings. He walked four and struck out five.

Catcher Owen Ayers went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once.

A two-run single for Eli Lovich, who was 1 for 4.

ACL Cubs

Off day.