Cubs fall in Fourth of July battle in Bowling Green 5-2

Bowling Green, KY: After ending their nine-game homestand with a win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods last night, both the South Bend Cubs and Bowling Green bused down to Kentucky to continue their four game series on a hot Fourth of July night.

Despite getting on the board first with a run in the top of the 3rd inning, the Cubs dropped game three of four in the overall series 5-2. The hot start for South Bend was started by designated hitter Christian Donahue, who roped a double into left field to start the frame. Donahue was brought over to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Delvin Zinn, which was followed by a RBI sacrifice fly hit by Zach Davis to bring in Donahue.
Davis, who returned to the Cubs last homestand after spending a few weeks with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in Advanced-A, brings his RBI total to 17 on the season.
Cubs starter Brendan King had no problem getting through the first third of Wednesday night's contest. Bowling Green did not plate a run in the first three innings, but they exploded with three runs in the bottom of the 4th to take the 3-1 lead. King finished with four innings of work with the three earned runs and two strikeouts. He took the loss in the game bringing his record to 3-4.
On the mound for the Hot Rods was left-hander Josh Fleming. Despite the one blemish in the 3rd inning, Fleming shut South Bend down tonight with seven innings of one run ball. He struck out four batters on 83 pitches and 57 strikes.
South Bend tried to squeeze in one more rally on the Fourth of July night to mount a comeback. In the 8th, Cubs RBI leader Jared Young continued his red hot stretch by driving in Davis to bring the score to 4-2. Young's RBI total now has reached 52. The rally was short-lived as the Hot Rods added their final run in the bottom of the 8th inning to lead 5-2.
With the loss, the Cubs fall to 41-42 on the season and 7-7 in the second half. They will wrap up their series with Bowling Green tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m. ET. After departing Bowling Green tomorrow, they will head to Lansing to take on the Lugnuts for a four game series.