Great Lakes Powers Past South Bend 11-3
Midland, MI - Following a nearly 90-minute rain-delay at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan on Wednesday night, the South Bend Cubs couldn’t match what the Great Lakes Loons brought to the table in the second game of this week’s series. In an 11-3 defeat, the Cubs have dropped both games
Midland, MI - Following a nearly 90-minute rain-delay at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan on Wednesday night, the South Bend Cubs couldn’t match what the Great Lakes Loons brought to the table in the second game of this week’s series. In an 11-3 defeat, the Cubs have dropped both games so far this week.
After the Cubs held a 3-0 in the early innings of Tuesday’s game, it was the Loons jumping ahead by a quick three runs after an inning on Wednesday. Braylon Myers got the start for the Cubs, and nearly escaped a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 1st inning. However, a three-run, bases clearing single by Eduardo Guerrero gave the Loons their own 3-0 lead.
Despite South Bend falling behind, the Cubs had plenty of chances, leaving runners at both second and third base three times in the first four innings. The Cubs went 0/5 with runners-in-scoring-position on Wednesday, and left 12 men on base.
South Bend got on the board in the top of the 4th, thanks to Justin Stransky being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and then Kade Snell driving in a second run via a sacrifice-fly RBI. The Loons answered immediately, earning those two runs back in the bottom of the 4th on a double by Eduardo Quintero.
Out of the South Bend bullpen, Nate Williams fired 1.2 shutout innings in the middle frames to keep the Cubs in it down three runs at the time. To start the bottom of the 6th inning, right-hander Noah Edders made his Midwest League debut on the mound. Edders’ first High-A game got started in tough fashion, with Edders being hit by a comebacker base-hit on his lower body. He stayed in the game, but the Loons wound up playing six runs in the 6th inning. Before he departed, Edders picked up two strikeouts, his first with the Cubs.
Later out of the bullpen, Luis Rujano fired 2.1 scoreless frames, and did not allow a hit. South Bend picked up its third run when Angel Cepeda was hit by a pitch, again like Stransky with the bases loaded. Cepeda had a base hit and a walk in the game as well.
With the loss, South Bend will have to win the next four games in order to win this week’s series in Midland. They’ll look to get back in the ‘W’ column on Thursday night when the two teams get back together at 7:05 PM. Right-hander Nazier Mulé is scheduled to make the start for the Cubs.