Home Runs Lift Cubs Over Captains
EASTLAKE, OH - South Bend played long ball in Eastlake Friday night on their way to tying Lake County for first place in the Eastern Division. Matt Rose, 1-for-23 on the road trip, belted a tenth inning two-run home run deep over the left field fence to help South Bend beat the Captains 7-5.
Rose in the eighth inning laid down a squeeze bunt to score Daniel Spingola from third base to give the Cubs a 5-3 advantage. Eloy Jimenez led off the eighth inning with his third home run in his last two games.
For the first time this season South Bend recorded three home runs. The first was hit by Andrew Ely who eclipsed the right field fence in the fifth inning with his first long ball of the year, a two-run shot. Ely's drive put the Cubs in front 3-2. The second baseman also reached base leading off a game for a fifth consecutive with a single in the first inning Friday.
Leading 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Cubs reliever Craig Brooks gave up two runs on four hits and allowed the Captains to tie the game. After giving up the two runs, Brooks had runners on second and third with one out and sent the game to extra innings but getting a strikeout and a ground out.
James Norwood followed up Rose's home run by recording the final three outs for his fourth save in his last four appearances.
South Bend is now 6-5 on their 14 game road trip with three games to go.
Game 2 of the series is Saturday at 6:30pm on 96.1fm WSBT. Ryan Kellogg (2-3, 4.50) is South Bend's starting pitcher.