Cubs jump ahead in Loosen's 9th W
Loosen allowed two runs on three hits with three walks and eight strikeouts over six innings, and ranks third in the Florida State League with a 2.81 ERA. The right-hander got some help from CF Matt Szczur, who made an outstretched diving catch at full sprint at the left-center field warning track to rob 1B Cody Hawn of an RBI double.
The Cubs went ahead early, plating two runs against LHP Jed Bradley (L, 5-8) in the first inning on RBI singles from Szczur and RF Rubi Silva. With a 2-0 lead, C Micah Gibbs took advantage of some sloppy pitching in the second inning to extend the advantage. After reaching with a one-out single, Gibbs moved to second on a wild pitch, took third on a groundout by SS Eliot Soto, and scored Daytona's third run on a two-out passed ball by C Joey Paciorek.
The Manatees struck back with two runs in the bottom of the second, as 3B Mike Walker drew a walk to lead off the frame. Two batters later, Hawn laced a single to right field, and 2B Shea Vucinich knocked in Walker with a double down the left-field line. Hawn then came home from third on a grounder to short, which bounced off Soto's chest for his first error of the season. Loosen managed to strike out RF Franklin Romero, Jr. and SS Nick Shaw to strand runners on the corners and end the inning with a 3-2 advantage.
Silva provided some insurance with an RBI triple in the fifth inning, which turned out to be the deciding run, as RHP A.J. Morris (S, 1) allowed a run in the eighth to make it 4-3. Still, the right-hander was able to close out the ninth inning for his first save of the season. RHP Ryan Searle pitched a perfect seventh, striking out two hitters in the process.
Silva reached base three times and finished with two RBIs, while 1B Rebel Ridling wowed the crowd with a towering double off the center field wall.
The Cubs and Manatees will play a doubleheader on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, with Game 1 scheduled to start at 5:35 p.m.