Cubs Pitch, Pound Their Way to 6-0 Shutout of Cedar Rapids
MWL South Bend Cubs

Cubs Pitch, Pound Their Way to 6-0 Shutout of Cedar Rapids

Published on August 4, 2026 under Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release


South Bend, IN - The South Bend Cubs (61-38) won their first home game of August on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field, shutting out the Cedar Rapids Kernels (38-63) by a 6-0 score. The Cubs belted three home runs in the shutout, improving to 12-3 across their last 15 games.

No. 13 Chicago Cubs prospect Jostin Florentino made the start for South Bend, spinning 5.0 scoreless innings with no walks and four strikeouts. Though the Kernels recorded a hit in all five frames against Florentino, the right-hander used timely strikeouts and a strong night from his defense to keep Cedar Rapids down. Catcher Logan Poteet recorded a caught stealing to erase a leadoff single in the second inning, and another leadoff single went by the wayside in the fourth on a double play. After stranding two runners in scoring position in the fifth, Florentino went on to earn his first win of 2026.

Right-hander Kolten Smith matched Florentino early on, holding the Cubs scoreless through three innings. However, South Bend got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, as right fielder Jose Escobar drilled his fifth High-A home run on an 0-2 pitch. Escobar, who had lost a home run due to rain at Lake County on Sunday, cleared the bridge in right-center field with his Tuesday solo shot.

With the Kernels into their bullpen, shortstop Angel Cepeda manufactured a run in the bottom of the fifth. As the Cubs' new leadoff man, Cepeda walked and stole second base. He then swiped third and scored on a throwing error from the Cedar Rapids catcher, doubling the Cubs' lead.

South Bend broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh, belting a pair of two-run home runs to left field. Second baseman Michael Hallquist delivered the first, extending his on-base streak to 11 games on his fifth long ball of the season. The second blast, after a triple by left fielder Kade Snell, came from first baseman Josiah Hartshorn. The top Cubs prospect went the opposite way for his 17th home run of the year, the 12th of his High-A tenure.

Right-handers Yoendris Gonzalez and Ethan Bell represented the South Bend bullpen and wrapped up Tuesday's shutout, combining for 4.0 scoreless frames. Gonzalez provided 2.2 shutout innings in his Four Winds Field debut, setting the stage for Bell's closing work.

The Cubs and Kernels will play their second game of the series at 7:05 PM on Wednesday, August 5. Right-hander Braylon Myers is scheduled to make his High-A debut for South Bend against Cedar Rapids lefty Adrian Bohorquez.

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