Cubs Minor League Wrap: Owen Ayers breaks out in Smokies win

Q: What did Owen Ayers achieve in the Smokies' recent game?

Owen Ayers hit his first Double-A home run and went 2 for 2 with a double and three walks.

Q: Who were the players promoted in the Cubs minor league system?

Jace Beck was promoted from Double-A Knoxville to Triple-A Iowa, and Ben Johnson was promoted to Knoxville from Low-A Myrtle Beach.

Q: What was the final score of the Smokies vs. Lookouts game?

The Knoxville Smokies defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts 11-9.

Q: How did the Iowa Cubs perform against the Louisville Bats?

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Louisville Bats 5-4 in 11 innings.

Nov 9, 2025; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Owen Ayers during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Other than the ones involving the major league team which we’ve covered elsewhere: Right-hander **Jace Beck** was promoted from Double-A Knoxville to Triple-A Iowa. Right-hander **Ben Johnson** was promoted to Knoxville from Low-A Myrtle Beach.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got spooked by the Louisville Bats (Reds), 5-4 in 11 innings. **Trent Thornton** was activated off the injured list and made his season and Iowa debut tonight. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Thornton struck out two and walked one. The I-Cubs went into the ninth with a 3-1 lead, but **Ryan Jensen** couldn’t hold it. Jensen allowed two runs on three hits and four walks over 1.2 innings. Jensen struck out two. With Iowa out of pitchers, **Casey Opitz** had to pitch the tenth and eleventh innings. He acquitted himself well, allowing only the automatic runner to score in both innings. But Iowa was unable to score the tying run in the eleventh when automatic runner **Kevin Alcántara** was thrown out at the plate on a single. So Opitz got the loss. First baseman **Jonathon Long** was 4 for 5 with a double and a game-tying RBI single in the tenth. Long scored once. DH **Owen Miller** was 2 for 5. Here’s Long’s game-tying single in the tenth.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies **Jake Knapp** pitched the first 2.1 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits. However, Knapp walked six batters and struck out just two. **Ben Johnson** gave up three runs in his Double-A debut, but he ended up getting the win anyways. Johnson’s final line was three runs on three hits over three innings. All three of the runs came on a home run in the eighth inning. Johnson struck out five and walked just one. First baseman **Ethan Hearn** hit a two-run home run in the second inning, his first of the season. He was 1 for 4. Catcher **Owen Ayers** hit his first Double-A home run in the third inning with the bases empty. Ayers was a perfect 2 for 2 with a double, the home run and three walks. He scored twice. Later in the third inning, center fielder **Alex Ramírez** hit a two-run home run, his first on the year. Ramírez went 1 for 5. The Smokies saved the best for last as their fourth and final home run was a grand slam by right fielder **Andy Garriola**. It was his fourth of the year and third in two games. Garriola was 1 for 2 with three walks and two runs scored. Left fielder **Carter Trice** was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Here’s Ayers’ home run.