​The Iowa Cubs defeated the St. Paul Saints (Twins) 8-2, marking Iowa’s fourth consecutive victory. Jameson Taillon opened the game on a rehab assignment and dominated the mound, delivering 4.2 innings of one-hit, no-run baseball. He fanned three, walked one, and threw 53 pitches, 34 of which were strikes. Ty Blach earned the win, despite allowing two runs on two hits over 2.1 innings, because Taillon did not reach five innings. Blach issued two walks and struck out two.
In the eighth, second baseman Ben Cowles delivered a two-run homer, his fifth of the season, and finished 1-for-4. Right fielder Brett Bateman went 2-for-4, added a two-run triple, and drew a walk, scoring one run. Third baseman Owen Miller contributed a 3-for-4 performance with two doubles and a run scored. Center fielder James Triantos went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored, and Bateman also appeared on base with a triple. Taillon’s outing included a notable strikeout, and Cowles’ home run provided the late offense to cap the win for Iowa.
Meanwhile, the Knoxville Smokies were defeated by the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers) 3-1. Jace Beck continued his recent strong form, giving up one run on three hits over five innings, a solo homer accounting for the only run allowed. Beck struck out nine and walked one. Tyler Schlaffer took the loss after three innings, allowing two runs on one hit and issuing a walk and a hit-by-pitch, with three strikeouts. Jefferson Rojas contributed an RBI double for Knoxville, finishing 1-for-4. Second baseman Drew Bowser went 2-for-4 and scored the Smokies’ lone run, while third baseman Alex Madera was 2-for-4.
The South Bend Cubs fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins) 11-7. Starter Alfredo Romero held the Kernels scoreless through three innings but was touched for two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth, leaving him with four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings, along with a walk and four strikeouts. The Kernels seized control with six runs in the bottom of the seventh, a disastrous frame for losing pitcher Ben Johnson, who allowed five earned runs on two hits and two walks in just one-third of an inning. His line also included a single strikeout. Shortstop Angel Cepeda belted a solo home run in the sixth inning, his first South Bend homer and second of the season, while going 1-for-5. Right fielder Miguel Olivo went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, and three stolen bases, scoring once and driving in a run. Second baseman Michael Halquist was 2-for-4 with a double and a triple, scoring twice. Jose Escobar delivered an RBI double and sac fly, finishing 1-for-4 with two total RBIs.
In the Myrtle Beach clash, the Pelicans upset the Fredericksburg Nationals 8-7. Starter Noah Edders allowed three runs on two hits over 4.1 innings, with one unearned run among them. He struck out seven and walked three. Edwardo Melendez worked the top of the eighth to close, while other late-inning action saw a flurry of scoring for both sides. The game featured a back-and-forth offensive showing as the Pelicans pulled ahead late.
Overall, the day’s action included strong pitching performances on rehab for Taillon, a multi-homer effort from Cowles, a notable two-run triple from Bateman, and high-octane offense across several games, with the Kernels’ late surge and the Pelicans’ eighth-inning rally highlighting the day’s most memorable moments.