Dayton sweeps South Bend in 3-2 series finale loss

Dayton, OH: After winning five games in a row and entering their three game series with the Dayton Dragons at 6-2, the South Bend Cubs looked to separate themselves from the rest of the Midwest League Eastern Division. After three games in Dayton, the Cubs were swept and now find themselves with a 6-5 record.

After being within reach for much of Thursday night's game, the Cubs could not find the tying run and lost 3-2 in a series sweep for the Dragons. Dayton has now won eight games in a row.
Having lost the first two games of the series, the Cubs turned to right hander Erich Uelmen to try and salvage the final game. Much like last night's game, all the damage was done on both sides in the first three innings. South Bend and Dayton exchanged two runs each in the 2nd inning. But the game winning run was scored in the bottom of the 3rd for the Dragons.
The Cubs only used two pitchers in the game. Uelmen was strong despite taking the loss. In 4.2 innings, he allowed three runs but struck out six batters. Bailey Clark pitched the final 3.1 innings of the night, he picked up seven strikeouts of his own.
The high strikeout numbers for the Cubs pitching staff was not able to fluster the Dragons. Much like the previous two nights, they found a way to win. Left hander Packy Naughton won his first game of 2018 with six solid innings and four strikeouts.
For South Bend, outfielder Roberto Caro had a 2-4 night in his return to the Cubs. Caro started this season with Myrtle Beach, but was recently sent down to South Bend due to Chris Carrier being placed on the disabled list. Rafael Narea and Christian Donahue drove in the Cubs two runs on the night.
With the loss, the Cubs will head home to begin a three game series starting tomorrow night with the Lansing Lugnuts. It will be the first time the Lugnuts and Cubs have met this season. Ricky Tyler Thomas is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday with first pitch coming at 7:35 p.m.