11-run 3rd, rain sink Lugs in South Bend

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was 3-for-3 with a walk and three separate run-scoring base hits in the Lugnuts' loss, raising his batting average to .328.

By Jesse Goldberg-Strassler

May 20, 2017

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The South Bend Cubs (26-15) turned around a five-run deficit with an 11-run third inning, defeating the Lansing Lugnuts (21-18) in a rain-shortened six innings, 11-7, on Saturday night at Four Winds Field.In defeat, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs - one for each

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The South Bend Cubs (26-15) turned around a five-run deficit with an 11-run third inning, defeating the Lansing Lugnuts (21-18) in a rain-shortened six innings, 11-7, on Saturday night at Four Winds Field.

In defeat, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs - one for each hit - and Edward Olivares went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Lugnuts sent ten batters to the plate in the first inning, knocking out South Bend starter Tyson Miller with a four-run rally. An inning later, Guerrero singled home Olivares for a 5-0 lead.

But South Bend converted seven hits, three walks and two HBPs into 11 runs in the third inning against starter Mike Ellenbest (Loss, 1-4) and reliever Andrew Deramo , seizing the lead on a Michael Cruz three-run double and never looking back.
The Lugs trimmed two runs off the lead in the fourth on a Bo Bichette single, a Guerrero RBI double and a Christian Williams RBI grounder, but could come no closer before the rain turned heavy in the middle of the sixth.
South Bend reliever Jared Cheek(Win, 1-1) pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief of Miller to earn the victory, allowing five hits and three runs along the way.

Michigan State product Dakota Mekkes held the Lugnuts off the board for the final two innings, highlighted by Jake Thomas getting throwing out at the plate to end the fifth.

Lansing designated hitter Nick Sinay was hit by a pitch for the tenth time, ranking first in the Midwest League and fifth in Minor League Baseball.

Second baseman Yeltsin Gudino was 1-for-3 with an RBI single, extending his on-base streak to 19 games.

The series finale is set for Sunday at 2:05 p.m., featuring Lansing right-hander Andy Ravel (3-1, 8.38) against Cubs lefty Bryan Hudson (0-1, 4.13).

The next homestand at Cooley Law School Stadium stretches from Monday, May 22nd, through Monday, May 29th, featuring four-game series with the Lake County Captains and the Great Lakes Loons. Purchase your tickets at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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