South Bend drops sixth straight with 2-1 loss to Lansing

South Bend, IN: For the 13th time in the past two weeks, South Bend Cubs starting pitching allowed less than two runs in the game. Left hander Ricky Tyler Thomas gave up just two runs through six innings, but took the loss as the Cubs dropped their sixth straight game 2-1 to the Lansing Lugnuts.

Lansing got on the board early due to a Cubs defensive miscue when Kevin Smith singled off of Thomas in the 1st inning. Smith reached second on a wild pitch, then took third and ultimately scored when Miguel Amaya threw down to third base. Amaya overthrew the ball into left field, allowing Smith to score the game's first run.
Lansing plated two unanswered runs in the first six innings, but the Cubs quickly answered as Zach Davis lined into center for South Bend's only RBI of the night. Christian Donahue scored and made the game 2-1, giving the Cubs a new life in the contest.
Still threatening in the 7th inning, South Bend had two runners on with Jhonny Bethencourt coming to the plate. Bethencourt hit a liner into center field that kept carrying towards the gap, center fielder Chavez Young had an immediate beat on the ball and made a sensational diving play to rob the Cubs of two runs. That kept the game at 2-1 after seven innings.
The Cubs would only get one more baserunner on the night after Michael Cruz dribbled an infield single towards the mound. The ball was thrown away and Cruz was safe. Brandon Hughes came in to pinch run and then stole second base. Hughes was stranded at second, as the Cubs could not capitalize on their final chance.
Thomas' record now sits at just 2-4 on the season, despite the fact that he pitched a quality start tonight. The Cubs offense has not backed him up through the season, and his ERA is just at 2.88. South Bend's record falls to 17-25 and they are now 11 games back of the division leading Lugnuts.
South Bend will be back in action again bright and early tomorrow morning in game two of the series versus Lansing. A 10:35 a.m. first pitch will feature right hander Javier Assad on the mound for the Cubs. Assad's ERA comes in at an impressive 2.14 on the campaign with a 3-1 record.