Cubs Win Marathon Winding and Weaving Opener over Wisconsin 8-7

Appleton, WI - The season series between the South Bend Cubs and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers has been back-and-forth all year long. In 12 total games between the two West Division foes this year, each club owned six wins and six losses. Expecting much of the same as the Cubs visit the Timber Rattlers this week in Appleton, the two teams gave each other their best shot on Tuesday night, and South Bend outlasted Wisconsin in 10 innings by a final of 8-7.

The night started with the Cubs taking full command early. Against starter Israel Puello, Pete Crow-Armstrong drew a lead-off walk to begin the game on a beautiful, warm and sunny Wisconsin night. The next batter was Jordan Nwogu, and he extended his hitting streak to 10 straight games on a long drive opposite field home run over the right field wall.

South Bend got to Puello early and often in game one of six this week against the Timber Rattlers. Fabian Pertuz picked up RBI singles in consecutive innings, then Yohendrick Pinango added a home run of his own. Later in the 4th, PCA hammered a ball over the wall in center field for a round tripper of his own.

With a commanding 7-0 lead midway through the game, the Cubs would hope to cruise theirselves to a quick win. On the mound, Dalton Stambaugh’s first four innings of the night were worked in no-hit fashion. The Timber Rattlers finally got to the southpaw Stambaugh in the bottom of the 5th on a two-run triple by Arbert Cipion.

Despite their hot start, South Bend was unable to get to either Brady Schanuel or Tyler Gillies out of the Wisconsin bullpen. That gave the Rattlers an opportunity to get themselves back in the game.

All remaining damage on the eventual Wisconsin comeback train was done in the bottom of the 8th inning. Milwaukee Brewers number-one prospect Jackson Chourio led off the frame with a double, and the Rattlers let it ride from there.

Two more doubles and a walk brought in two runs, but the big blow was executed by Darrien Miller. On a ball crushed towards deep right-center field, Miller tied the game on one swing, pushing the game to a 7-7 score.

All momentum at the time had shifted to the Wisconsin side. They had a fabulous opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the 9th as well. Chourio produced in the 9th with a single, then stole second base, and took third on the same play due to an error. With the winning run 90-feet away, Michael McAvene struck out Zavier Warren and got the debuting Jeferson Quero to pop out.

It was time for extra innings. In the 10th, the Cubs automatic courtesy runner at second base was Pablo Aliendo. He was pushed to third base on a sac bunt from Kevin Made, then later scored thanks to an RBI fielder’s choice from BJ Murray. South Bend took the lead right back at 8-7.

Responsible for getting the final three outs was righty Sheldon Reed. Wisconsin’s courtesy runner in Quero never made further than second base. Reed struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 half-inning to secure the Cubs a big victory.

With the win, South Bend continues to lead the Midwest League West Division by four games over the Beloit Sky Carp; And now six games ahead of Wisconsin. The two clubs will continue their six-game set on Wednesday night at 7:40 PM EST. Right-hander Porter Hodge is the expected starter for the Cubs.