Memorable Home Runs Lead Cubs to 7-5 Defeat of Whitecaps

The South Bend Cubs (67-47) outslugged the West Michigan Whitecaps (55-61) on Friday night at Four Winds Field, winning 7-5. The game featured 22 combined hits, including a pair of key South Bend home runs from right fielder Alexey Lumpuy and first baseman Brennan Hudson.

Click here to view Friday’s box score.

Left-hander Cole Reynolds thrived for the Cubs in his first start since June 11, striking out six in 4.0 scoreless innings. The Southpaw dealt with some trouble early, allowing a pair of two-out singles in the first inning. However, he avoided any damage by issuing zero walks and retiring six of the final seven hitters he faced.

Working against West Michigan lefty Jojo Ingrassia, the Cubs opened the scoring with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third. After tallying three singles but failing to score in the second, the Cubs broke through with the top of their order. Shortstop Angel Cepeda ripped an RBI triple to left-center field, and second baseman Jose Escobar followed with a double that clipped off the glove of left fielder Nolan McCarthy. South Bend’s third run of the inning came home on a double play.

The Cubs played long ball to tack on another run in the fourth. Lumpuy drilled his first home run at the High-A level, hooking a line drive over the wall in right. At the game’s midway point, the Cubs held a 4-0 lead.

After right-hander Alfredo Romero pitched two scoreless innings for the Cubs, the Whitecaps got back in the game against him in the top of the seventh. The inning started with three consecutive hits, including a two-run home run to right-center from third baseman Carson Rucker. First baseman Beau Ankeney later contributed a sacrifice fly, pulling West Michigan within a 4-3 score.

The one-run game disappeared quickly, as the Cubs answered the Whitecaps with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. All came on a Hudson home run, as the first baseman launched his first Four Winds Field long ball to right field. The three-run blast, Hudson’s second home run as a professional, restored the Cubs’ breathing room.

Right-hander Adam Stone, who bailed the Cubs out of the seventh inning, allowed a pair of runs in the eighth to bring West Michigan within a 7-5 score. The Whitecaps wouldn’t get any closer, though, as righty Ethan Bell worked around a pair of baserunners in the ninth to notch his eighth save of the season.

With the series tied at two wins apiece, the Cubs and Whitecaps will square off next at 7:05 PM on Saturday, August 22. Left-hander Pierce Coppola is scheduled to start for South Bend against West Michigan righty Connor Fenlong.