Cubs Blanked 7-0 by Mitrovich, Kernels in Game Five

The South Bend Cubs (62-41) lost in shutout fashion to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (41-64) on Saturday night at Four Winds Field. With their 7-0 victory, the Kernels now have a 3-2 series lead heading into Sunday.

Click here to view Saturday’s box score.

Left-hander Pierce Coppola made the start for South Bend, allowing two runs (one earned) in four-plus innings. After leaving runners on the corners in the first, the top-30 Cubs prospect allowed an unearned run in the second, as shortstop Jose Salas singled with one out and crossed the plate on a groundout. The Cedar Rapids lead doubled in the fourth on a solo home run from second baseman Quinn McDaniel, who hooked a ball off the bottom of the foul pole in left.

Right-hander Nate Williams covered the next 3.1 innings, conceding five runs as the Kernels grew their lead. Left fielder Byron Chourio dealt the biggest swing of the night in the sixth, ripping a three-run home to right field. Another two runs came home in the eighth, as McDaniel and shortstop Jose Salas delivered back-to-back doubles, while catcher Luis Hernandez provided a sacrifice fly.

Right-hander Justin Mitrovich, left-hander Cleiber Maldonado, and right-hander Brian Zeldin combined to achieve the Kernels’ shutout. The starter, Mitrovich, pitched 6.0 scoreless innings for his best start as a professional, allowing only two hits and striking out four. Maldonado followed him with a perfect seventh inning, and Zeldin, despite dealing with two baserunners in the eighth, recorded the final six outs of the game.

The Cubs will try to stave off a series loss to the Kernels at 2:05 PM on Sunday, August 9. Left-hander Ethan Flanagan is scheduled to pitch for South Bend against Cedar Rapids lefty Cesar Lares.