Encina Man

Spot-starter helps Lugnuts cruise past Cubs

All-Star Geno Encina excelled in his first start since 2015, giving up one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. (Tyler Marcotte)

By Jesse Goldberg-Strassler

July 3, 2017

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Spot-starter Geno Encina pitched into the sixth inning, Bo Bichette snapped out of a brief cold spell, and the Lansing Lugnuts (4-8, 41-37) enjoyed a thorough 8-2 victory over the South Bend Cubs (3-9, 42-39) on Monday night at Four Winds Field.The Lugnuts and Cubs split the four-game series.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Spot-starter Geno Encina pitched into the sixth inning, Bo Bichette snapped out of a brief cold spell, and the Lansing Lugnuts (4-8, 41-37) enjoyed a thorough 8-2 victory over the South Bend Cubs (3-9, 42-39) on Monday night at Four Winds Field.

The Lugnuts and Cubs split the four-game series.

Making his first start in two years, Encina (Win, 3-1) gave up only two fourth-inning runs, one earned), while keeping the Cubs off-balance for 5 1/3 innings, walking none and striking out four.

His counterpart, No. 20 Cubs prospect Erling Moreno(Loss, 1-3), was far more erratic. Moreno gave up six hits and six walks in five innings, tossing four wild pitches - including run-scoring wild pitches in the third inning, fourth inning and fifth inning.

The Lugnuts served up a balanced performance, scoring at least one run in six of the final seven innings. Bichette led the way, ending a 2-for-16 slump with a single, double and two-run homer and scoring three runs. The resulting 3-for-5 lifted his batting average to .392 - best in professional baseball. Joshua Palacios pitched in with his own 3-for-5 showing, giving him seven hits in the past two games.

Outfielder Nick Sinay , freshly activated off the Disabled List, went 2-for-3 with his league-leading 19th hit-by-pitch of the year.

Lansing's bullpen made sure that the Cubs never threatened. Nick Hartman pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout. Jared Carkuff worked a hitless ninth.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward played the second game of an MLB rehab assignment, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a run scored.

The Lugnuts return to Michigan's state capital on Tuesday for special 4th of July LAFCU Fireworks, gates opening at 6 p.m. for a 7:05 p.m. start. Right-hander Osman Gutierrez (1-6, 12.03) receives the start against West Michigan Whitecaps left-hander Eudis Idrogo (3-3, 3.28). Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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