The Cubs have released right-handed pitchers Kyle McGowin and Dan Straily to free agency. They’ve signed left-hander Lucas Luetge and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs beat the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 3-2.

Brandon Birdsell got his first Triple-A win after tossing six innings and allowing just one run on five hits. Birdsell walked one and struck out nine.

Jack Neely pitched the final 1.1 innings and got the save. He loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but got the strikeout to end the game. Neely permitted no runs on three hits. He struck out three and walked one.

All three Iowa runs came on a three-run home run by third baseman Kevin Padlo in the fifth inning. It was Padlo’s first Cubs home run and tenth overall. Padlo went 2 for 3 with a double, the home run and a walk.

Second baseman James Triantos picked up his first two Triple-A hits, going 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

DH Chase Strumpf was 2 for 4 and scored on Padlo’s home run.

Padlo’s home run.

Kevin Padlo's first home run as an I-Cub breaks the scoreless tie and puts the good guys out in front! pic.twitter.com/4Us9HckTYZ

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 9, 2024

A Brandon Birdsell strikeout.

Have a night, Brandon Birdsell! 🫡

Through 6.0 innings he has set a new season-high for strikeouts by an I-Cub with 9⃣ pic.twitter.com/qjgIFGfFgF

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 9, 2024

Triantos’s first Iowa hit.

James Triantos collects our fourth hit of the night and his first at the Triple-A level with this base knock! 👏 pic.twitter.com/YfXyVWLyBA

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 9, 2024

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies got in the eyes of the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 4-3 in 11 innings.

Starter Sam Armstrong surrendered two runs on five hits over five innings. Armstrong walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Christian Franklin hit a two-out, two-run, bases-loaded double in the bottom of the eleventh to walk off the Lookouts. Franklin went 3 for 6 with two steals.

First baseman Felix Stevens went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI single in the sixth inning. Stevens also scored on Franklin’s double in the eleventh.

Center fielder Brett Bateman was 2 for 4 with a walk.

ICYMI: Back-to-back RBI singles from Felix Stevens and Jack Reinheimer ties the game at 2! #NextStopWrigley #LastYearBestYear pic.twitter.com/Y6zQU4HuHH

— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) August 9, 2024

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were boiled by the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 5-2.

Terrific start for Will Sanders, who did not allow a run over five innings. Sanders gave up four hits. He walked three and struck out four.

Marino Santy allowed two runs in the top of the eighth inning and took the loss. Santy’s line was two runs on three hits over two innings. He struck out one and walked no one.

Second baseman Jefferson Rojas was 2 for 3 with a triple and a walk. Rojas scored once.

Third baseman Pedro Ramirez went 2 for 4.

Left fielder Andy Garriola was 1 for 2 with a stolen base and an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning in his High-A debut. Garriola was also hit by a pitch.

Here’s Garriola’s RBI single:

1st High-A at-bat and Andy Garriola gives the Cubs the lead!

Thanks for this dude @Pelicanbaseball! pic.twitter.com/0PegityJML

— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 8, 2024

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain?

Meanwhile, here’s a short interview with Cam Smith.

First impressions with @Cubs 2024 first round pick, @cameron_smith24. #MBPelicans | #YouHaveToSeeIt pic.twitter.com/e65y2bKnka

— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) August 9, 2024