Cubs Score Seven Unanswered, Win Series Finale 7-4

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (63-47) (27-19) scored the first four runs but the South Bend Cubs (64-45) (25-22) tallied seven in the final three innings to take the series finale 7-4 on an 80-degree cloudy Sunday afternoon at Dow Diamond. The Loons won the series four games to two.

- Great Lakes starter Tyler Gough struck out six over six innings, matching his career-high in innings. The right-hander permitted only one hit through the first six innings. South Bend’s Kade Snell doubled and Matt Halbach walked to put two on and oust Gough in the seventh. Facing Nicolas Cruz, Cubs first baseman Brennan Hudson throttled a three-run home run to deep right-center field.

- South Bend’s Geuri Lubo smashed a 406-foot solo shot to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. Cruz had given up just two runs in his previous 44.2 innings.

- In the final two frames the Cubs earned six hits, all singles, while Great Lakes committed two errors. Matt Lanzendorfer permitted three singles, Brennan Hudson added his fourth RBI with a knock in the eighth.

- In the ninth, South Bend’s 1-2 on the card singled. Jose Escobar hit a single to left field. Angel Cepeda’s infield single to third base saw an errant throw by Mairo Martinus that allowed Escobar to score from first base. Later in the frame, a Robby Porco pickoff throw to get Cepeda at second base went into centerfield and made it 7-4.

- For the Loons offense, Jose Meza led the way. He highlighted a three-run sixth inning. Meza rocketed a 107 mph single up the middle to plate two. Samuel Munoz next-up grounded a ball up the third base line to bring home Meza.

- Jaron Elkins extended his hitting streak to four games with an RBI single in the third inning. Victor Rodrigues led the frame off with a double.

- Cubs reliever Jose Romero struck out four and stranded two in the final two innings. Great Lakes went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Rounding Things Out

West Michigan won today. The Whitecaps now have a one-game lead over the Loons in the Midwest League East Division second half standings.

Up Next

After an off day, the Loons head to Fort Wayne, Indiana to take on the Padres affiliated Fort Wayne TinCaps. The series starts on Tuesday August 18th. There will be a continuation of a suspended game and a seven-inning game to follow. The first pitch is at 5:35 p.m. ET.

The Great Lakes Loons have been a partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team’s inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team’s home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.