Loons Leave SB Cubs All Wet
SOUTH BEND — Rain washed away the SouthBend Cubs’ early hopes Sunday afternoon at Four Winds Field, as the home team fell to the Great Lakes Loons, 4-1.
After putting up a run on two hits in the fifth inning, and cruising through eight water-logged innings, South Bend gave up four runs, including two-unearned, in the top of the ninth. Sunday’s loss marked the second in a row that the Cubs have given up four runs in the ninth inning to lose a lead to the visiting Loons.
With the score knotted at 0-0 and the rain beginning to fall in the bottom of the 5th inning, the South Bend Cubs, Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, looked to take advantage of a leadoff walk. Designated hitter Jeffrey Baez started the frame with a free pass from Great Lakes starter Trevor Oaks. With shortstop Gleyber Torres at the plate, Cubs skipper Jimmy Gonzalez called for the hit and run. As Baez broke early for second, Torres singled through the hole at short to push Baez up to third. When Loons left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo attempted to get Baez at third, Torres scampered to second. Third baseman Jesse Hodges followed with another single through the hole at short to plate Baez. The RBI single put the Cubs in front 1-0 with no outs. However, Oaks stopped the rally by sitting down left fielder Charcer Burks on strikes andthen inducing a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning as the skies began to look threatening.
With heavier rain looming, it looked like South Bend starter Trevor Clifton was in line to pick up the win. Clifton kept the Loons flightless through five innings, striking out seven while only allowing one hit. The stellar pitching continued as Cubs reliever Tyler Ihrig worked three scoreless innings before entering the ninth.
Third baseman Michael Ahmed led off the ninth inning for the Great Lake Loons, Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with a single into shallow left. During center fielder Alex Verdugo’s at bat, Ahmed got into scoring position by stealing second. Ihrig was then able to get Verdugo to ground out 2-3 with a slow roller in front of the catcher. Francisco Carrillo was then summoned from the Cubs’ bullpen. Carrillo’s first pitch was laced back into shallow center by right fielder Yadir Drake to bring Ahmed around from second to tie the game. Drake then promptly stole second during designated hitter Justin Chigbogu’s at bat. After Carrillo sat Chigbogu down on strikes, the wheels completely fell off for the Cubs. Catcher Julian Leon lofted a single to center to score Drake from second and put the Loons in front 2-1. First baseman Josmar Cordero then followed with a single of his own and advance Leon to third. Carrillo was able to get Scavuzzo to ground to Torres at short. However, Torres’ throw to first was offline allowing Leon and Cordero to score on the E6 throwing.
The 4-1 Loons edge was more than enough as Joe Broussard entered to close the door on the Cubs in the bottom of the ninth. Broussard sat the Cubs down in order to pick up his first save of the season.
The Cubs and Loons wrap up the three-game series Monday night at Four Winds Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ryan Williams (0-0, 1.13 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the Cubs. Victor Gonzalez (0-0, 1.80 ERA) will start for Great Lakes. It’s a Belly Buster Monday, presented by Kayem Foods! Enjoy all you can eat hot dogs, hamburgers, peanuts and popcorn, when you purchase a Belly Buster package with your game ticket.