Morel powers 6-run 10th, as Cubs stop Lugs

LANSING, Mich. – Rafael Morel clocked a pair of two-run homers, the second to ignite a six-run 10th inning, and the South Bend Cubs (10-27) came from behind to top the Lansing Lugnuts (21-16), 12-8, on Friday night at Jackson® Field™.

The Lugnuts had won the first three games of the series, but the Cubs overcame a four-run Nuts first inning, a 5-0 deficit entering the sixth and a 6-3 deficit entering the eighth inning, improving their road record to 2-17 in 2025.

Morel’s second home run of the year, off Lansing starter Yunior Tur, put the Cubs on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. His third, off Hunter Breault leading off the tenth, broke a 6-6 tie and gave South Bend its first lead of the game.

Four batters later, Edgar Alvarez delivered a two-run single, and the Cubs were on their way, finishing with six hits and six runs against Breault, who had only allowed one run in 14 1/3 innings entering the game.

Lugnuts shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer drilled a two-run double off Nahas in the bottom of the tenth to close out the scoring.

Each team collected 14 hits, with all 11 Lugnuts who played in the game hitting safely. But Lansing stranded 11 runners on the bases, while the Cubs stranded only three.

In the losing cause, Tur tossed a career high 7 1/3 innings, striking out four while allowing six hits, one walk and four runs. Right fielder Jared Dickey supplied a pair of RBI singles and designated hitter Rodney Green, Jr. lined a two-run double as part of the four-run first inning.

On Saturday, the Lugnuts celebrate 517 Day on a second straight LAFCU Fireworks night, sending right-hander Kyle Robinson against South Bend’s Ryan Gallagher. Gates open at 6 p.m. for a 7:05 p.m. start. Tickets are available for purchase at the stadium box office, (517) 485-4500 or online at milb.com/lansing.

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