Knoxville Smokies take down Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 5-3

The Knoxville Smokies overcame the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 5-3, on August 2, 2026. Drew Bowser hit a grand slam during a five-run sixth inning, marking his first home run in Double-A. Starter Kevin Valdez pitched five innings, allowing three runs, while Frankie Scalzo Jr. secured the win in his inning of relief. The Smokies' victory contrasts with the Iowa Cubs, who were swept by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, losing 13-3. The South Bend Cubs fell to the Lake County Captains, 1-0, in a rain-shortened matchup that ended after seven innings, despite South Bend scoring four runs in the eighth that did not count due to the game's conclusion.

• 12:51 AMYahoo Sports — Cubs Minor League Wrap: Smokies slam past Pensacola, 5-3