​Iowa’s left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming was moved to the development list, while right-hander Ryan Jensen earned a promotion to Double-A Knoxville from the ACL Cubs. The Iowa Cubs routed the St. Paul Saints (Twins) 7-4. Jaxon Wiggins was activated off the injured list and appeared in Iowa for the first time since early April. He initially struggled with control in the first inning, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks, but he settled down and finished with three runs on three hits and three walks over 2.2 innings, striking out four. His four-seam fastball averaged 96.1 mph and topped out at 98 mph once. Zac Leigh relieved Wiggins in the third, earning the win by pitching 1.1 scoreless innings with one hit allowed, two strikeouts, and no walks. Grant Kipp followed with three innings, yielding one run on one hit and one walk, and he also hit a batter while recording one strikeout. Eduarniel Nuñez pitched the final two innings for the save, retiring all six batters he faced in order and striking out four.
Catcher Christian Bethancourt went 3-for-4 with a double, driving in two and scoring once. Center fielder Brett Bateman went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base, contributing an RBI bunt single during Iowa’s four-run second inning and scoring on an Owen Miller single in the sixth. Right fielder Owen Miller finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Bethancourt added an RBI double, and Bateman beat out a squeeze bunt for an RBI from a bunt attempt.
Meanwhile, the Knoxville Smokies outpaced the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers) 7-3. Dawson Netz started and limited the Shuckers to three runs on four hits over five innings, while striking out five and walking none, though he hit one batter. Erian Rodriguez battled control issues but earned the win by giving up no runs on one hit over 1.1 innings, though he walked five and struck out one, so he had more walks than outs. Evan Taylor tidied up Rodriguez’s trouble in the seventh and finished the game for the save, allowing no runs on one hit over 2.2 innings, with three strikeouts and no walks. Catcher Owen Ayers went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and scored once. Designated hitter Alex Ramírez went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base, scoring two runs. Left fielder Andy Garriola was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. This game also showcased a notable moment: Evan Taylor escaped a jam with a key out, highlighting his ability to work out of trouble.
In other action, the South Bend Cubs defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins) 18-8. Pierce Coppola’s Midwest League debut didn’t go as smoothly as hoped, as he surrendered six runs on four hits and four walks over three innings, including a grand slam in the third inning. Coppola also recorded two strikeouts. Ethan Flanagan pitched the final four innings, allowing no runs on two hits and earning the win, as he struck out seven while walking none. This performance by Flanagan helped stabilize the game and contributed to the lopsided final score. Flanagan’s dominance in later frames gave the Cubs the edge, while Coppola’s early struggles contributed to Cedar Rapids’ trouble on the mound.