Minor League Wrap: Javier Assad makes a strong rehab appearance in Iowa’s 5-2 win

Javier Assad and Yency Almonte make rehab appearances as Iowa and Knoxville win.

The Cubs have activated right-hander Porter Hodge and assigned him to Iowa.

Right-hander Dawson Netz joins Low-A Myrtle Beach from Mesa.

There are some big rehab assignments today that we’ll get to.

These are the final group of minor league games before the Trade Deadline.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs drove past Indianapolis (Pirates), 5-2.

Javier Assad made his first Iowa rehab appearance and gave up two runs in the top of the first. But he was terrific after that. Assad finished the day pitching 3.2 innings and allowing two runs, but just one earned, on four hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Jordan Wicks pitched the next 4.1 innings. gave up just one hit and no runs, and got the win. Wicks walked two and struck out six.

Nate Pearson retired the side in order in the ninth for the save, striking out one.

Center fielder Kevin Alcántara hit two home runs off of Bubba Chandler, the Pirates top pitching prospect today. The first one came with a man on in the second inning and the second one was a solo home run in the sixth. Alcántara now has 13 home runs this year. He was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Left fielder Greg Allen hit an RBI triple in the third inning. He was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Third baseman Hayden Cantrelle doubled twice in a 2 for 3 game. He scored on Allen’s triple.

Miguel Amaya played the whole game at DH in a rehab stint and was 0 for 4.

Home run number one for Alcántara was to the opposite field.

The Jaguar’s second home run.

Allen’s triple.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies got in the eyes of the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 4-1.

Four Smokies pitchers combined on a one-hitter.

Tyler Schlaffer only allowed one run and one hit over six innings as he picked up the win. Schlaffer did struggle with control as he walked five and struck out five.

Mitchell Tyranski, Zac Leigh and Brad Deppermann each threw a perfect inning to close out the game. Deppermann got the save. Tyranski and Leigh each struck out one and Deppermann did not strike anyone out.

Catcher Pablo Aliendo hit a solo home run in the third inning, his seventh on the season. Aliendo went 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Jordan Nwogu entered the game when right fielder Jaylen Palmer injured himself batting in the third inning. Nwogu went 3 for 3 with a stolen base. He scored one run and drove in one.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were hijacked by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Royals), 2-1.

Erian Rodriguez made one mistake, a two-run home run in the sixth inning, and that would be enough to give him the loss. Rodriguez allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out five.

Yency Almonte (remember him?) made his season debut in a rehab appearance and was sharp. He retired the side in order in the eight, striking out two. Almonte threw 14 pitches and 10 were strikes.

South Bend had one hit in this game. It was a seventh inning home run by left fielder Edgar Alvarez. It was his fifth home run this year and he went 1 for 3.

Here’s the only South Bend hit of the game.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hypnotized by the Columbia Fireflies (Rays), 4-3.

Nazier Mulé started and took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over 1.2 innings. Mulé struck out one.

Shortstop Alexis Hernandez went 2 for 4 with. two-run double in the top of the ninth. He also stole second base in the fifth inning as part of a double steal that allowed DH Eli Lovich to steal home. Lovich went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

First baseman Matt Halbach was 2 for 4 with a double.

Left fielder Jose Escobar went 2 for 4 and scored on Hernandez’s double.