Bowling Green shuts out South Bend 2-0 to open series

South Bend, IN: South Bend Cubs starter Derek Casey tossed a quality start in five innings and gave up just one run with four strikeouts and still took the loss against the Bowling Green Hot Rods in a 2-0 shutout. In the first game of the second half of the Midwest League season, South Bend grabbed five hits. 

Casey's night included three of his four strikeouts coming in the 4^th inning when he struck out the side. In the 3^rd with Bowling Green threatening, top baseball prospect Wander Franco grounded out in a 3-6 double play to end the inning. It was a scoreless game heading to the 5^th. 
The Hot Rods capitalized with a run in both the 5^th and 6^th innings with the game winning hit from Beau Brundage. The 5^th inning line shot into right field scored Midwest League All-Star Roberto Alvarez. In the 6^th, another All-Star, Grant Witherspoon smashed his 8^th home run deep over the right field wall. 
South Bend was never able to rally despite the bullpen providing four innings of one run baseball. Brendan King and Eugenio Palma combined to strike out six Hot Rods. 
In the 9^th, the Cubs brought the tying run to the plate after a Jonathan Sierra triple over the head of the center fielder Witherspoon. Bowling Green lefty Cristopher Sanchez worked out if it and earned the save.
The Cubs record now sits at 37-32 on the season going into game two of the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. with right-hander Peyton Remy on the mound.