Schwarber records first two hits for Iowa Cubs

Thursday was a big day for Kyle Schwarber. The Triple-A Iowa slugger was named to the 2015 All-Star Futures Game and then played the hero in a doubleheader against Omaha.

The first game of the twin bill showed why he's the No. 2 prospect in the Cubs organization and baseball's No. 40 overall prospect. Schwarber ripped a triple in the third inning -- his first Iowa hit after going 0-for-4 on Tuesday -- and then came to the plate with the game tied, a runner on and two outs in the 10th inning.

The former Indiana star came through, launching a double off the center-field wall that brought home Arismendy Alcantara for a walk-off win.

Schwarber joined Iowa this week after a short stint with the big league club in which he hit .364/.391/.591 with a homer and six RBIs in six games.

"He really handled himself well in the clubhouse and with his teammates," Cubs general manager Theo Epstein told MLB.com's Carrie Muskat after Schwarber was optioned to Iowa. "I think he earned a lot of respect for his approach to this game, probably learned a few things about what goes into being a big leaguer. "It was a best-case scenario for as well as it could have went, and he's really excited to get to Iowa and keep growing as a catcher and player."

Schwarber's mid-June promotion to the bigs was spurred by an offensive onslaught at Double-A Tennessee. Over the first two months of the season, he hit .320/.438/.579 with 10 doubles, 13 dingers and 39 RBIs.