Cubs Minor League Wrap: Smokies on edge of 1st half title

Knoxville Smokies catcher Ariel Armas (7) hits the ball during a Minor League baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on June 2, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Iowa CubsThe Iowa Cubs beat Indianapolis (Pirates), 11-7.

Starter Vince Velazquez gave the I-Cubs three innings and gave Indianapolis three runs on six hits. Velazquez walked three more and struck out four.Andrew Wantz threw the next four innings, surrendered three runs on four hits, and got the win.

Wantz struck out three, hit one batter and walked one.Vince Reilly was summoned from the bullpen with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth. The first batter he faced hit an RBI single, but the second one struck out and Reilly got the save.

In the fourth inning, first baseman Jonathon Long hit a grand slam, his sixth home run on the year. Long went 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.DH BJ Murray added on two more runs with his eighth home run of the year n the fifth.

Murray went 3 for 5 with a double, the home run and a walk. Murray scored three times.Catcher Christian Bethancourt was 3 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.

He scored two runs and drove in one.Shortstop Owen Miller went 2 for 6 with an RBI double in the fifth inning. He scored on Murray’s home run.

Center fielder Brett Bateman was 2 for 6. He scored one run and had one RBI. Left fielder Chas McCormick went 2 for 3 with a walk and a hit by pitch.

Second baseman Ben Cowles was 2 for 5. Everyone in the lineup for Iowa had at least one hit and reached base twice.RBI single for Bateman gives him a ten-game hit streak.

Brett Bateman extends his hitting streak to ten games and makes it a one run game! pic.twitter.

com/xkKHnkTeAG— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) June 20, 2026RBI double for James Triantos, who was 1 for 4 and was hit by a pitch.Tri ties it at three! pic.

twitter.com/euzd9ZNlXt— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) June 20, 2026Nice c