Cubs Minor League News: Powell shines in AAA debut as I-Cubs edge Mud Hens |
Dustin Riese
· · 3 hours ago
At long last, the Iowa Cubs managed to secure a win against the Toledo Mud Hens, and their goal for the remainder of the season should be to finish strong. As has been the case all week, and for the better part of the past six games, the offense was tough to come by as the Cubs delivered a rare 1-0 victory.
That makes two 1-0 games in a row for the Cubs organization, as they posted a 1-1 record in those games. Making not only his final start of 2025, but also his first career AAA start, Walker Powell was about as dominant as you can be as the right-hander ended his season in style. Across his six innings, Powell held the Mud Hens to just three hits, striking out five and allowing no runs for what wound up being a tough no-decision. Considering how things started this year for Powell and having to rebound from his injuries, it's amazing to see the progress he made as he is hoping he can take this start into the offseason and use it to fuel the fire next year. As good as Powell and the Cubs' pitching was, Toledo was just as good, if not better, in the early innings as they decided to go with a bullpen game. With no walks and 12 strikeouts, it was the Cubs' offense that was searching for answers as they have had a difficult time picking up runs in this series. Sometimes, all it takes is one run, and that was precisely the case in this one, as both teams failed to score through seven innings. Then came the eighth, where Nicky Lopez came through with arguably his biggest hit of the season as his RBI triple broke the scoreless tie and had the Cubs on top 1-0. That would be all they would need as Ethan Roberts came in to slam the door shut, pitching two scoreless innings to help the Cubs secure the 1-0 win. Lopez was the lone Cub to record multiple hits as Iowa was held to five hits in the win. Jonathon Long, Miguel Amaya, and Hayden Cantrelle all had hits in the win. Hoping to pitch his way back onto the Cubs' playoff roster plans, Ryan Brasier took the ball in relief as he continues to rehab his way back. Although he may be a long time away, Brasier is doing what he needs to as he tossed a scoreless seventh, and allowing two hits in the win.
