Burlington's Three-Run Eighth Inning Sinks South Bend

BURLINGTON, Iowa -  Burlington plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth to glide past South Bend, 6-4, in the series opener Wednesday night at Community Field.

Trailing 4-3 heading to the home half of the eighth, the Bees (29-30) struck for three runs on three hits and a sacrifice fly. After winning six of seven, the Cubs (26-31) have dropped back-to-back games.

South Bend starting pitcher Zach Hedges allowed three runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. Cubs left-hander Tommy Thorpe followed with the final three innings and took the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits and a pair of free passes.

Cubs shortstop Gleyber Torres (2-for-4, one run, one RBI) and first baseman Yasiel Balaguert (3-for-4, one run, one RBI, two doubles) tallied multi-hit outings.

Balaguert laced a leadoff double to begin the second inning. After scooting to third on a wild pitch, Balaguert scored on an RBI groundout by Cubs catcher Cael Brockmeyer to grab the early 1-0 advantage.

With right fielder Jeffrey Baez at third with two outs in the third, Torres rolled an RBI infield single to third, allowing Baez to cross and make it 2-0.

Hedges retired the first nine Bees he faced until Burlington shortstop Jake Yacinich began the fourth with an infield single.

The Bees climbed on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Right fielder Caleb Adams punched a one-out double to left field, and catcher Wade Wass coaxed a walk. First baseman Ryan Seiz then supplied an RBI single up the middle, left fielder Erick Salcedo stroked a single and leadoff man Jake Yacinich blooped a two-run double down the left-field line to lift Burlington ahead 3-2.

The Cubs bounced right back in the top of the sixth, however. Torres shot a single back where it came from to start the frame. Balaguert then clobbered an RBI double down the left-field line to reel in Torres and make it 3-3.

Baez began the top of the seventh with a triple to right field, and center fielder Rashad Crawford pulled him in with a sacrifice fly that vaulted the Cubs up 4-3.

Four consecutive Burlington base-runners reached to start the last of the eighth. Designated hitter Natanael Delgado's RBI single tied the game, 4-4, and third baseman Zach Houchins' base knock lifted the Bees back in front, 5-4. Wass' sacrifice fly stretched the margin to two.

Burlington reliever Eduardo Paredes collected the save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

South Bend and Burlington return to Community Field on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Cubs right-hander Trevor Clifton (2-4, 3.83 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Bees righty Michael Bolaski (3-5, 4.61 ERA).