Horton Dominates Again as Cubs Blank Sky Carp 6-0
Beloit, WI - After 5.2 shutout innings of work by Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton on Thursday night against the Beloit Sky Carp, Cade Horton has struck out at least six batters in six straight starts. He punched out six Sky Carp in game two of this week’s
Beloit, WI - After 5.2 shutout innings of work by Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton on Thursday night against the Beloit Sky Carp, Cade Horton has struck out at least six batters in six straight starts. He punched out six Sky Carp in game two of this week’s series at Beloit, and helped lead the Cubs to a 6-0 shutout victory.
Before Horton even threw a single pitch in the game, South Bend had a dominant lead. Facing lefty Zach King, who had gone at least five innings in each of his four career starts against South Bend, the Cubs got to him immediately. It began with a sharp single up the middle by Ezequiel Pagan, and then the second batter of the game Kevin Made drove him in on a double into the right-center field gap.
Later, Kevin Alcántara walked, and Moises Ballesteros picked up an RBI hit. After two more run scoring base hits by Felix Stevens and Jacob Wetzel, it was 4-0 South Bend after just a half-inning.
That’s when Horton took the hill. His first inning was executed in 1-2-3 fashion, and his only blemish after three innings was a walk. He gave up just one hit, to Jacob Berry. Ironically enough, Berry was selected one pick ahead of Horton in last year’s first round of the MLB Draft.
Horton departed in line for the win, and earned his third victory in his last four starts. The last two South Bend runs were plated dispersed from one another. In the top of the 2nd, Alexander Canario walked, and Alcántara waved him in on an RBI-triple. Alcántara also took two walks in the game for the first time this season. ‘The Jaguar’ has 16 walks on the season, and 10 of them have come in the month of June.
Later in the 8th, Canario picked up his first base-hit of his rehab assignment with South Bend. It was a line drive double into the right-center field gap, scoring the Cubs sixth run.
South Bend’s bullpen was also terrific, with Eduarniel Nunez and Frankie Scalzo Jr. combining for 3.1 scoreless innings. Scalzo closed the final six outs, and South Bend finished off their fourth shutout of the year.
With the win, the Cubs are 2-2 in the second half of the Midwest League season. They will look to grab the series advantage on Friday night with first pitch from ABC Supply Stadium at 7:35 PM EST. Right-hander Michael Arias is expected to make his South Bend Cubs debut on the mound.