Cubs Minor League Wrap: Knoxville explodes with 6 HR

The Cubs signed right-hander Andrew Wantz and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa.

The Iowa Cubs split a doubleheader with the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), winning game one 7-5 and losing the second one 8-1.

The good news in game one is that Matthew Boyd started and got the win. The bad news is he allowed three home runs over five innings. But as I always say about a rehab appearance, the most important thing is how the player feels afterwards. Both Boyd and Craig Counsell said they expect Boyd’s next start to be with the major league squad.

Boyd’s final line was five runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked one. Boyd threw 80 pitches and 56 of them were strikes.

Tyler Ferguson pitched the other two innings and got the save. Ferguson gave up two hits, but no runs. He struck out three and walked no one.

Center fielder Brett Bateman went 3 for 4 with a double and a steal. He scored one run and drove in one.

Right fielder Justin Dean was 2 for 3 with a double. He had two RBI and scored two runs.

Matt Shaw played this entire game at first base in a rehab stint and was doubled in a run in the third inning. Shaw went 1 for 3 with a walk, one RBI and one run scored