Right-handed reliever Zac Leigh was promote to Triple-A Iowa from Tennessee.

Right-hander Jeff Belge, recently acquired in the Richard Lovelady trade, was assigned to Double-A Tennessee.

Joining Belge is recently-signed left-hander Dalton Moats. Moats had been pitching for the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association. He pitched in the Rays organization from 2016 to 2022.

Just the Pelicans won today, but no one is hotter than Brennen Davis right now.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs blew it against the Syracuse Mets, 8-7.

Chris Clarke allowed two runs in the bottom of the first inning and then settled down to pitch five innings and allow just two runs on five hits. He struck out three and walked no one.

Daniel Palencia made a rehab appearance in the eighth inning and he rocked for three runs on three hits. Two of those hits were home runs—a solo home run by Rylan Bannon and a game-tying two-run home run by former Cub Trayce Thompson.

Carl Edwards Jr. came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth in a tie game. Edwards walked leadoff hitter Ji-Man Choi and then got a easy double-play grounder to second baseman Hayden Cantrelle, but Cantrelle bobbled the ball and could only get the batter at first. Next up, Luisangel Acuña singled to Owen Caissie in right field. Choi held up at third, but Caissie threw home anyway and airmailed it, leading to the winning run.

Edwards final line was one unearned run on one hit and one walk over a third of an inning.

The four-game home run streak by left fielder Brennen Davis ended yesterday, so Davis made up for that by hitting two home runs tonight. The first one was a grand slam in the top of the first inning. The second one was a solo home run in the third. It was his eighth home run this year and seventh in eight games. Davis went 4 for 5 with a double, two home runs and a walk. He had five total RBI.

Center fielder Alexander Canario hit a solo home run in the third inning, his fourth minor league home run this season. Canario went 2 for 4 with a double and the homer. He also walked once.

Third baseman Luis Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

DH BJ Murray Jr. went 2 for 5 with a double.

Davis’ grand slam went 375 feet.

BRENNEN. DAVIS. GRAND. SLAM. Five homers in his last six games and six in his last eight. pic.twitter.com/n08lSVpnhx

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) May 18, 2024

Canario and Davis’s home runs.

Here's the video evidence because right now Brennen needs to be seen to be believed!

First Canario then Davis' second jack of the night! pic.twitter.com/Axoo7C3wRW

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) May 19, 2024

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were extinguished by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 4-0.

Connor Noland pitched really well, but got the hard luck loss anyway. Noland gave up just one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

As good as Noland pitched, Trash Panda’s starter Jack Kochanowicz was better. Kochanowicz’s perfect game was broken up with a bloop single by Yohendrick Pinango with one out in the seventh inning.

The Smokies had just two hits in this game. Ezequiel Pagan would single again in the eighth inning.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs got boiled by the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 9-2.

Terrific start tonight from Sam Armstrong, who pitched five scoreless innings and allowed just three hits. He walked one and struck out five.

Koen Moreno took over in the sixth inning and didn’t pitch so well. He took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in just one inning. Moreno struck out one and walked no one.

Right fielder Parker Chavers singled and scored on a Brian Kalmer double in the top of the ninth. Chavers was a perfect 2 for 2 with a double and a stolen base. He also walked twice. Kalmer was 1 for 4.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans tabled the Fredericksburg Nationals, 8-4.

Juan Bello had his worst start of the season, so naturally he got his first career win. Bello allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out two and walked no one.

Ty Johnson took over for Bello in the sixth inning and retired all 12 batters he faced over four innings. Johnson struck out five as he got his first career save.

First baseman Fabian Pertuz hit two home runs in this game. The first one was a three-run home run in the second inning and the second inning and the second one was a solo home run in the fourth. Pertuz went 2 for 4.

In the seventh inning, center fielder Jacob Wetzel hit a solo home run, his second on the year. Wetzel went 1 for 3.

Shortstop Cristian Hernandez went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI single. He also scored once.

Highlights:

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Angels, 3-0.

Nazier Mulé, the Cub’s fourth-round pick last year, allowed three runs, two earned on two hits and four walks over three innings.