Saint Paul, Minnesota - Thomas Pannone vs Randy Dobnak headlined the game. Entering play tonight neither pitcher had taken a loss this season. On top of a solid performance from Cubs starter Thomas Pannone, the Saints had to face one of the best relief pitchers in the MiLB so far this season, Riley Thompson. Pannone, Thompson, and the Cubs defeated the Saints 4-1 at CHS Field in front of 3,145. The Saints fell to 5-5 on the season. 

Randy Dobnak was on his third start of the season for the Saints. His first two starts were polar opposites. On March 31st Dobnak started against Columbus and retired the first 10 men he faced; however, four days later in Nashville he lasted 3.2 innings, which was his shortest start since August of 2023. The Saints got the dominate Dobnak on Wednesday night. The sinker, slider, and changeup caused seven Cubs to go down swinging, but Dobnak ran into trouble in the fifth. Jacob Slaughter singled and Ali Sanchez walked, which put runners on first and second. With two outs, Patrick Wisdom (MLB Rehab Assignment) launched a no doubt three-run home run to right-center field. Iowa took a 3-0 lead. Next, Dobnak hit Matt Mervis with the pitch, and that ended his night. Matt Bowman came on in relief and a few batters later got Owen Caissie to strike out. On the other hand, Thomas Pannone dominated, and stayed that way through the night. He worked five innings, struck out six, and allowed three hits. The only time the Saints got anything going off Pannone was in the sixth. Michael Helman doubled off the right field wall and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. walked. Next, Pannone exited, and Riely Thompson came in for the Cubs. Yunior Severino singled to left and Helman scored, and the Saints trailed 3-1. Thompson got himself into additional trouble quickly when he walked Alex Isola to load the bases. With one out, Anthony Prato grounded into an inning ending double play. Iowa hung onto a 3-1 lead after six.

Thompson worked himself into a jam in the seventh, but he got himself out. Chris Williams picked up his second hit of the night to start the inning. Next, Diego Castillo flied out to left. Will Holland singled to put runners on first and second with one out. The double play ball once again killed the Saints. Helman grounded into an inning ending double play. 

In the eighth, Alexander Canario led off the inning with a solo home run, which was his second of the season. Next, Caissie doubled to left-center field. Castillo got out of the inning without any more damage. 

Colten Brewer got the Saints to go quietly in the ninth.

Jair Camargo had been difficult to deal with for the Iowa Cubs over the past year. On Tuesday, Camargo hit his sixth career home run against the Cubs. However, he had not only been hard for the Cubs to manage. Camargo earned Minnesota Twins' minor league player of the week last week. He hit .273 (6-for-22) with two doubles, a home run, three RBI, three walks and an .885 OPS over six games. The Cubs kept him quiet on Wednesday. Camargo went 0-for-4. 

The Iowa Cubs and Saint Paul Saints meet in game three of a six-game series on Thursday night at CHS Field. First pitched is scheduled for 6:37 p.m. The Cubs will send RHP Chris Clarke (0-0, 1.42) to the mound while the Saints will counter with RHP David Festa (0-0, 1.59). The game can be seen on MiLB.TV and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7FM.