Minor League Wrap: The Jaguar leads Iowa past Columbus, 15-6

Iowa’s bats explode to snap a losing streak. South Bend splits two. Some great pitching leads to a Pelicans win.

Iowa right-hander Keegan Thompson was activated off the injured list. Right-hander Tommy Romero went on the development list.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs sunk the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 15-6. The win snapped Iowa’s six-game losing streak.

Connor Noland didn’t have his best start, but he was the beneficiary of all that offense and got the win. Noland surrendered six runs on seven hits over five innings. Two of those hits were home runs. Noland struck out four, walked four and hit one.

Center fielder James Triantos connected for a three-run home run in the third inning, his second on the season. Triantos had a big night, going 3 for 4 with a double, the home run and a walk. He scored three times and drove in three.

DH Kevin Alcántara gave the I-Cubs the lead for good with a three-run home run in the fifth. It was Alcántara’s eighth home run this year. Alcántara was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double, the home run and two walks. He scored three times and had four RBI.

Right fielder Christian Franklin tacked on two more runs with his fifth home run in the sixth. Franklin was 2 for 5 with a walk and the homer.

Left fielder Greg Allen doubled twice in a 2 for 5 night. He had three runs batted in and scored once.

Everyone in the lineup reached on either a hit or a walk.

The Triantos home run. [VIDEO]

Alcántara’s home run.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were enclosed by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 6-5.

It was a bullpen game tonight for the Smokies so Frankie Scalzo Jr. pitched the first two innings without allowing a run. Scalzo gave up one hit. He struck out one and walked no one.

Grant Kipp pitched the next four innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out four.

The Smokies took the lead with a five-run bottom of the eighth inning, but Brad Deppermann came on for the save in the top of the ninth and allowed two runs on two hits. Both runs were unearned, but it was Deppermann’s own error that turned a potential game-ending double-play grounder into a game-tying run and put the go-ahead run on third. That run scored on a sacrifice fly. Deppermann struck out two and walked no one.

Left fielder Parker Chavers was 1 for 2 with a double, a stolen base and two walks. Chavers scored once.

This game featured a one hour and 43 minute rain delay.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs split a doubleheader with the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), losing the conclusion of yesterday’s game 6-5 and winning the regularly-scheduled seven-inning game 12-4.

Evan Aschenbeck started the first game yesterday before the rains came. He retired all six batters he faced. Aschenbeck struck out one of them.

South Bend was leading 5-0 after 2 ¹⁄₂ innings when the rains came yesterday, but Chase Watkins immediately gave up five runs and the lead in the bottom of the third. Watkins’ final line was five runs on four hits and a walk over two innings. One of those four hits was a grand slam. Watkins stuck out two.

Luis Rujano gave up a run in the fifth inning and got the loss. He gave up the run on one hit and two walks over two innings. Rujano struck out two.

Left fielder Edgar Alvarez went 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He scored once.

First baseman Cameron Sisneros had an RBI double in the first inning, He went 2 for 4 with a walk and one run scored.

Erian Rodriguez started game two and got the win. He allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits over five innings. Rodriguez struck out eight and walked two.

Shortstop Cristian Hernandez opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. It was his fourth home run this season. Hernandez 1 for 4 with a stolen base and he scored twice.

Designated hitter Brian Kalmer cranked a two-run home run in the second inning, his second. Kalmer went 2 for 3 with a stolen base. He had three total RBI and two runs scored.

The rout was on when second baseman Jefferson Rojas hit a three-run home run as part of an eight-run third inning. It was Rojas’ sixth home run of the year. He was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Highlights for game two.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans extinguished the Columbia Fireflies (Rays), 4-1.

It was a strong start for Jostin Florentino, who threw six scoreless, allowing just three hits. Florentino struck out eight and walked three.

Brayden Spears retired the side in order in the ninth for the save. He struck out one.

The game was scoreless until the seventh inning when catcher Dilan Granadillo doubled home third baseman Eriadys Ramon. Granadillo was 1 for 4 and scored once. Ramon went 1 for 4.

Second baseman Ty Southisene had an RBI single later in the seventh. Southisene was 2 for 5.

Florentino highlights.

Granadillo’s double

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Rockies, 2-1.