Baez, Amaya Lead South Bend Over Whitecaps, 5-3

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Neither a 91-minute rain delay nor an early 2-0 deficit could slow South Bend, as the Cubs powered past West Michigan, 5-3, in the series opener Saturday night at Four Winds Field.

"We were working hard every inning, trying to make some runs and doing the little things," Cubs catcher Gioskar Amaya said. "We played together."

Sheets of rain dropped down on the diamond within an hour from first pitch, and West Michigan (14-8 second, 47-44 overall) scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. But South Bend (13-10 second half, 42-48 overall) scored single runs in the first, third and fourth innings and punched across two decisive runs in the seventh to win its sixth game in its last eight tries.

"I think everybody is focused on pitch by pitch and everyone is working hard, trying to be the best in the game," Amaya said.

Cubs right fielder Jeffrey Baez (2-for-4, two runs) continued his torrid stretch, and Amaya (2-for-3, two RBI) provided a pair of timely hits.

Cubs starter Tommy Thorpe worked five innings of two-run ball in his first start since July 5. Thorpe, who was activated from the disabled list earlier Saturday, gave up three hits and two walks and fanned three.

Left-hander Tyler Ihrig allowed just one run over the final four innings.

The Whitecaps made up for lost time in the top of the first when cleanup man Christin Stewart cracked a two-out RBI double to plate center fielder Ross Kivett and hand West Michigan a 1-0 lead. Catcher Kade Scivicque then singled to left, and Stewart scored from second.

In the bottom of the first, Baez bashed a solo home run to left field to trim the deficit to 2-1. The right fielder has tallied 10 RBI in his last six games after notching just eight RBI through his first 57 games.

"I'm just looking for my pitch, focusing pitch by pitch," Baez said. "I want to hit my pitch. When the pitcher makes mistakes, I try to hit it hard. I just make a good swing."

Baez doubled with two outs in the third and later scored on an RBI triple from shortstop Gleyber Torres that tied the game, 2-2.

Amaya gave South Bend the lead with an RBI single through the right side to score left fielder Kevin Encarnacion in the fourth.

Whitecaps first baseman Will Kengor tied the game, 3-3, in the top of the sixth with a two-out RBI single to left field. Scivicque scored from second after advancing from first on a balk by Ihrig.

Encarnacion was hit by a pitch to start the seventh. With Amaya at the plate, Encarnacion took off for second and scored on Amaya's RBI double, pushing South Bend ahead 4-3.

"I just tried to put the ball in play, a hit and run and tried to do that," Amaya said. "I got a double and RBI, that's good. Encarnacion hustled and made the run."

Amaya then scored as center fielder Rashad Crawford blooped an RBI single to shallow right, extending the gap to 5-3.

Ihrig worked a 1-2-3 ninth to finish off the victory.

South Bend and West Michigan meet for the middle matchup in the three-game series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. ET at Four Winds Field. Cubs right-hander Trevor Clifton (4.73 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Whitecaps righty Jeff Thompson (4.77 ERA).