Cubs swept by Lansing with 8-4 loss Sunday

Lansing, MI: On a hot and muggy day in downtown Lansing, the South Bend Cubs fell victim for the third straight day to the Lansing Lugnuts. In a 3-game sweep ending with a 8-4 loss on Sunday afternoon, the Cubs finish the first half of the Midwest League season with a record of 34-35.

As the first half came down the stretch the past couple of weeks, the Cubs played their best baseball of the 2018 season, but suffered a setback this weekend in Lansing. After taking four out of five games on the last road trip at West Michigan, South Bend now lost the final five out of six of the half.
Sunday began much like Saturday night with the Lugnuts piling on runs early to drain the energy out of the Cubs offense. Eight combined runs in the first four innings gave Lansing a commanding 8-3 lead.
South Bend fought back early starting in the top of the 3rd with Roberto Caro's first home run of the 2018 season. Caro hit a deep line drive over the right field wall, clearing the entire ballpark and winding up hitting the buildings across the street.
Then, in the top of the 4th, South Bend had an opportunity with the bases loaded. However on the day Lansing turned four double-plays on the Cubs and in the inning halted their rally with one of them. South Bend managed just two runs out of the 4th frame.
The last run of the game went to the Cubs in the top of the 8th. On a two hit day, Michael Cruz singled a grounder up the middle to score Jared Young. South Bend cut the lead to four, but a scoreless 9th inning thrown by Claudio Custodio sealed the game.
Taking the loss for South Bend was starter Brendan King. The Midwest League All-Star gave up five runs on seven hits, while striking out three batters. The final two pitchers of the night, Ben Hecht and Brian Glowicki, combined for four innings of scoreless ball. They gave up just three hits combined.
Next, the Cubs will have three days off courtesy of the Midwest League All-Star break. They will be in action next on Thursday night when they visit the Dayton Dragons to open a four game series starting the second half.