The South Bend Cubs (75-61) were shut out in their home finale Friday night at Four Winds Field, dropping the contest to the West Michigan Whitecaps (89-44), 4-0.
The South Bend Cubs (75-61) were shut out in their home finale Friday night at Four Winds Field, dropping the contest to the West Michigan Whitecaps (89-44), 4-0.
After three scoreless innings, West Michigan, the Class-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, broke through in the top of the fourth. After center fielder Danny Woodrow lead off with a called strikeout, second baseman Chad Sedio reached on a single to right field. Shortstop Danny Pinero then sent a deep fly ball to left field that bounced off the top of the wall. Pinero ended up with a triple and Sedio scored on the hit. Later, during the at bat of third baseman Isaac Paredes, Pinero scored on a wild pitch by South Bend starting pitcher Erling Moreno (L, 2-4). Paredes grounded out to third to end the half inning, with the Whitecaps in the lead, 2-0.
West Michigan put up two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Left fielder Sam Machonis lead off the inning with a single to center field. He was put out at second on fielder's choice to the shortstop by Woodrow. Seido came up to bat next. During his at bat, Moreno attempted to pick off Woodrow at first. However, the throw was low and first baseman Jhonny Pereda was unable to keep it contained. Woodrow advanced to second base on the error. Seido followed up with a walk. With runners at first and second, right fielder Cole Bauml dropped a single into center field to move the runners up and load the bases. During Pinero's plate appearance, a wild pitch from Moreno allowed the all the runners to move up a base, scoring Woodrow. Pinero added a run with a sacrifice fly to left field that brought home Seido.
West Michigan starting pitcher Eudis Idrogo (W, 7-7) pitched five and two-thirds shutout innings against the Cubs. He gave up three hits, three walks, and struck out two before leaving with an apparent arm injury in the sixth inning. He was replaced by reliever Locke St. John, who closed out the sixth after giving up a hit to Pereda. St. John kept South Bend under control through the seventh and eighth innings. John Schreiber finished the shut out effort, pitching the ninth inning for West Michigan.
In all, the Cubs, the Class-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, posted six hits, including doubles from catcher Tyler Payne and designated hitter Alberto Mineo.
The South Bend Cubs travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Saturday to wrap up the regular season with a three game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Class-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, that will determine the Eastern Division Second Half Wild Card berth in the Midwest League Playoffs. In the first game of the series, Tyson Miller (6-6, 4.47 ERA) is scheduled to start for South Bend. Willy Ortiz (7-3, 3.25 ERA) will take the mound for the Hot Rods. Saturday's game in Bowling Green is scheduled for a 7:35 p.m. EDT start.
