South Bend, IN: Behind Delvin Zinn's clutch RBI single with two strikes in the bottom of the 8th inning, the South Bend Cubs snuck past the Dayton Dragons by a final of 4-3 to take game one of a three game series on Saturday night. Now that the standings have
South Bend, IN: Behind Delvin Zinn's clutch RBI single with two strikes in the bottom of the 8th inning, the South Bend Cubs snuck past the Dayton Dragons by a final of 4-3 to take game one of a three game series on Saturday night. Now that the standings have reset, both South Bend and Dayton are fighting for the two remaining playoff positions in the Eastern Division.
The night started with an early Dayton lead against Cubs starter Faustino Carrera. They plated a run in the top of the 1st to jump out to the quick 1-0 lead.
South Bend answered a short time later by combining for three runs between the 3rd and 4th innings. Brennen Davis smashed a hard line drive to the third baseman Juan Martinez. The ball snuck through the open space between the head and glove of Martinez and then settled into left field. One run scored and the game was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 3rd.
In the 4th, Andy Weber just missed his 3rd home run of the season as he belted a ball to deep right field. The sure-handed Michael Siani went back on the ball and looked to make the catch, but the ball jumped out of his glove as he hit the right field wall. The play was ruled a two-run double for Weber and he received two RBI on the play.
Dayton rallied back, however, and scored the game's next two runs when Brian Rey singled in the 6th to make it 3-2. After starter Faustino Carrera departed after six innings and two runs allowed, right-hander Carlos Vega was the first man out of the bullpen. Carrera took a no-decision on Saturday.
The tying run was charged to Vega, although Ethan Roberts was then on the mound in the top of the 8th. Vega was responsible for the man on base when he was pulled with two outs in the inning. Roberts allowed a double against Martinez and the tying run scored to make it 3-3.
In the bottom half of the frame, Zinn worked his magic after fouling off a multitude of pitches in a row and finally hit a sharp single to score Rafael Narea. Roberts got the final three outs in the 9th and the Cubs celebrated the series opener win.
With the victory, South Bend takes sole possession for now of the wild card spot in the Eastern Division for the second half. The two clubs will get right back to it tomorrow afternoon in a Sunday matinee at 2:05 PM. Right-hander Cam Sanders is the expected starter for the Cubs.
