All the buzz in the minors today came from when Iowa manager Marty Pevey removed Matt Shaw from the starting lineup just an hour before game time. No explanation was given. Either he’s sick, he’s hurt or he’s coming back up.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were excommunicated by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 3-1.

It was a good start for Jordan Wicks, who allowed just one run on four hits over five innings. Wicks walked one and struck out three.

Ethan Roberts allowed a two-run home run to Will Holland in the of the ninth to take the loss. Roberts’ final line was two runs, one earned, on one hit. He struck out one and walked no one.

Center fielder Christian Franklin went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies peeled the Columbus Clingstones (Braves), 4-0.

Chris Kachmar started and got the win. Kachmar pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Ben Leeper, Nick Hull and Brad Depperman each tossed an inning to complete the shutout. All three pitchers allowed one hit and all three struck out two.

Second baseman Corey Joyce was the hero at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a double, an RBI single and a walk. Joyce scored twice.

Catcher Pablo Aliendo had a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth. He went 1 for 4.

Joyce’s double.

His RBI single.

Aliendo’s double.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs were hammered by the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics), 8-4.

Kenten Egbert gave up three runs in the first and one more in the second inning. He settled down after that, but it was too late and he got the loss. The final line on Egbert was four runs on eight hits over four innings. He walked one and did not record a strikeout.

First baseman Brian Kalmer was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and a walk.

Left fielder Edgar Alvarez had an RBI double in the sixth inning. He was 3 for 4 with one run scored.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were prey for the Lynchburg Hillcats (Guardians), 9-2.

JP Wheat started and took the loss. Wheat surrendered six runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He walked three, hit two batters and struck out four.

Catcher David Avita has an RBI single in the third inning, scoring right fielder Anderson Suriel. Avita went 1 for 3 and Suriel was 1 for 4 with a double.

Avita’s RBI single.

ACL Cubs

No games on Sunday.