Cubs’ South Bend Wins 6-3 Over Fort Wayne, Keeps Rolling

## Cubs Minors Recap: Pitching Brilliance and Hitting Struggles Across the System

This week’s minor league report digs into the Chicago Cubs’ farm teams. There were some standout pitching efforts, frustrating droughts at the plate, and a few bright individual performances.

From the Iowa Cubs getting blanked in a tough shutout to the South Bend Cubs rolling through another win, let’s break down the moments and players shaping the Cubs’ future.

### Iowa Cubs: Assad’s Solid Effort Undermined by Offensive Woes

The Iowa Cubs, Chicago’s Triple-A squad, dropped a 3-0 game against Indianapolis. Starting pitcher Javier Assad did his part, but the bats just couldn’t get going, stranding runners and leaving the team frustrated.

#### Assad’s Strong Start Falls Short

Javier Assad, a possible call-up candidate, pitched 4.1 innings and gave up just one run on four hits. He also struck out five and showed some real swing-and-miss stuff.

He exited after 78 pitches. The bullpen couldn’t keep it close, and Iowa took the loss.

#### Offensive Inefficiency Proves Costly

Iowa’s hitters couldn’t take advantage of their chances. They scattered seven singles but went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position, which pretty much tells the story.

BJ Murray was a rare highlight, going 2-for-3 with a walk. He kept putting the ball in play, but the lineup around him just wasn’t clicking.

### Knoxville Smokies: Defensive Miscues Haunt Resilient Effort

The Double-A Smokies dropped a 3-2 game where early defensive mistakes really hurt. Pitching had its moments, and there was some offense, but unearned runs stung the most.

#### Schultz’s Impressive Return from IL

Connor Schultz came off the injured list and looked sharp. He threw five innings, punched out eight, and didn’t issue a single walk.

Two early runs scored against him, though both were set up by defensive lapses behind him.

#### Dean Absorbs Tough Loss Amidst Offensive Spark

Nick Dean took over in relief and pitched two innings but allowed the go-ahead run. That run ended up being the difference.

Alex Ramírez stood out at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases. Knoxville’s two runs in the first came after defensive miscues involving shortstop Jefferson Rojas.

Rojas went 1-for-3 and swiped a bag himself.

### South Bend Cubs: Streak Soars as Offensive Depth Shines

The High-A South Bend Cubs just keep rolling. They stretched their win streak to eight games with a convincing 6-3 win over Fort Wayne.

#### Reynolds and Stone Anchor Pitching Performance

Cole Reynolds picked up the win, throwing five innings and allowing two solo homers while striking out five. He kept things under control and gave the team a chance.

Adam Stone followed with three shutout innings, giving up just one hit and fanning three. Ethan Bell closed things out in the ninth for the save, working around a one-out double.

#### Key Offensive Contributors Power the Streak

South Bend’s offense showed up. Miguel Useche launched a solo homer in the eighth—his third of the year—and finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Kane Kepley kept the pressure on, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, a run, an RBI, and his 28th stolen base, which leads the Midwest League. Josiah Hartshorn worked three walks, scored once, and picked up an RBI with a bases-loaded walk.

Matt Halbach added an RBI double. Not a bad night for the lineup.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Late Innings Decide Close Contest

The Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped a heartbreaker, coming up just short in a tight 4-3 loss to Wilson. They had a strong start from their pitchers and some late-game heroics, but couldn’t quite seal the deal.

Early Promise Fades in the Eighth

Kaleb Wing started strong for the Pelicans. He allowed no runs over three innings on just three hits.

The game stayed close. The bullpen couldn’t hold the lead in the end.

Jordan Henriquez took the mound for the eighth and ninth innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) and took the tough loss—honestly, that’s gotta sting.

Homeruns and Hits Not Enough for Victory

The Pelicans showed some fight. Eli Lovich blasted his sixth homer of the season in a 1-for-4 effort.

Logan Poteet added a spark with a leadoff homer in the ninth, his seventh this year. That shot pulled Myrtle Beach within one run and gave fans a little hope.

Deniche Valdez chipped in a 2-for-4 performance with a run scored. Still, it just wasn’t enough to overcome that late-inning deficit.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cubs Minor League Wrap: South Bend keeps rolling, beats Ft. Wayne 6-3