COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Jordan Zimmermann looked ready to the return to the Detroit Tigers in a strong rehab start, but the West Michigan Whitecaps could not stop a late South Bend Cubs surge and took a 6-3 loss Monday at Fifth Third Ballpark.Zimmermann, on the Tigers disabled list since
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Jordan Zimmermann looked ready to the return to the Detroit Tigers in a strong rehab start, but the West Michigan Whitecaps could not stop a late South Bend Cubs surge and took a 6-3 loss Monday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Zimmermann, on the Tigers disabled list since the beginning of May with a right shoulder impingement, seemed not to skip a beat, throwing 5.1 innings of one-run baseball. Adding later in an interview, "I could feel the energy." The first inning for the two-time All-Star proved most challenging however as three straight singles plated the game's first run. After that, Zimmermann settled in and tamed the Cubs, scattering five hits and no walks over his final 4.1 innings. The 'Caps struggled all night with only one hit against Cubs starter Brendon Little, who unfortunately exited the game with an apparent injury in the fifth. Colby Bortles finally gave the Whitecaps their first lead at 3-1 in the same inning with a two-RBI single.
West Michigan's relief corps could not stop the Cubs retaliation as back-to-back RBI's from Christian Donahue and Michigan State University product Brandon Hughes in the seventh and two more runs in the eighth gave the Cubs a 5-3 lead. A solo home run by Chris Singleton off 'Caps reliever Aaron Fernandez in the final frame closed the scoring at 6-3. Zimmermann received the no-decision in his third minor league rehab start, with the previous two with the Toledo Mud Hens. Zimmermann struck out six. Will Vest (1-1) relinquished two earned runs in 1.2 innings and absorbed the defeat as West Michigan dropped four of the five games in the series. Despite giving up three earned runs, Cubs reliever Ben Hecht (3-0) remained perfect on their season with the victory. West Michigan falls to 32-32 with six games remaining in the Midwest League's first half. South Bend improves to 33-30 and has won 16 of the last 21 games. The Whitecaps have lost 13 of their previous 19.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps head to Midland for their final road series of the first half against the Great Lakes Loons beginning Tuesday at 7:05 pm. Pitcher Elvin Rodriguez makes the start for the Whitecaps. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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