Paulino's Early Struggles Lead to Game One Loss

SOUTH BEND, IN - Though pitching has been one of South Bend Cubs strongest areas this season, Cubs starter Jose Paulino struggled to find his rhythm through the first inning as the Bowling Green Hot Rods beat South Bend 8-2.

In the first of a three game series, the Cubs looked to bounce back against the Bowling Green Hot Rods after the South Bend offense had a lackluster showing in their last matchup. But unfortunately the hometown Cubs collected only six hits and left nine runners on base as they lost an opportunity to gain vital ground on the Eastern Division leading West Michigan Whitecaps.
BOWLING GREEN'S BIG FIRST:Jose Paulino faced early trouble as he allowed four runs on four hits in the first inning. After giving up a one out single, Paulino incited a ground ball to Wladimir Galindo at first base to earn the second out of the frame.
From there the fast working lefty would go on to throw a wild pitch then allow a single to Jonah Heim that allowed Josh Lowe to score giving Bowling Green a 1-0 lead. Then, two batters later, Jesus Sanchez hit a double to give the Hot Rods a two run lead, which was followed by an Adrian Rondon single to put Bowling Green up 4-0.
Paulino only earned two outs in the first inning before being replaced by Pedro Silverio who struck out Garrett Whitley to end the inning.
SOUTH BEND'S MINOR COMBACK: The Cubs took a small step towards a comeback in the third inning as Zack Short got on with a two out walk. Vimael Machin then singled to put two runners on for Alberto Mineo's two RBI-double to cut the Bowling Green lead in half.
South Bend looked like they would continue their comeback in the fourth inning after Luis Ayala got on with a leadoff walk. However, Ayala was caught trying to steal second and Kevonte Mitchell, who reached on a throwing error, was picked off at first.
The series of base running mishaps seemed to take any wind out of the sail of the South Bend offense as they struggled getting anything going throughout the remainder of the game.
CUBS' PITCHING WOES: In his last start prior to tonight's ballgame, Paulino allowed six earned runs in 2 and 2/3 innings against the Dayton Dragons. He now has one of the highest ERA's (5.49) on the Cubs' pitching staff in nine games started this season.
Pedro Silverio was the Cubs' best pitcher in the first game of the game regardless of his 5.87 seasonal ERA. In 2 and 1/3 innings pitched, Silverio only allowed one hit.
Outside of walking three Hot Rods hitters, Tyler Peyton, who came in for Silverio in the fourth, cruised through three innings before giving up two runs on two hits with two outs in the seventh inning. Overall, Peyton threw five innings while allowing two runs on four hits.
Jared Cheek entered to relieve Peyton in the ninth to keep the Cubs within four runs, but from there things got even worse for the South Bend pitching staff. Cheek, who has dominated hitters at times this season, allowed back-to-back triples and a single to give the Hot Rods an 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Cubs: Bryan Hudson is scheduled to take the mound for South Bend in game two of the series. Hudson is 0-1 with a 4.12 ERA in eight games this season.
Hot Rods: Bowling Green has not announced a starter but will look to continue giving the Cubs trouble in game two as they are now 3-2 against South Bend this season.
Photo credit: Emma Reese