By Mike Monaco

MIDLAND, Mich. — Great Lakes continued to clamp down South Bend, as the Loons shut out the Cubs, 5-0, in Wednesday night’s middle game at Dow Diamond.

The Cubs (16-17 second half, 45-55 overall) pushed across just one run in Tuesday’s series-opening loss to the Loons (14-19 second half, 52-49 overall) and couldn’t muster anything a day later. South Bend was held hitless over the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Right fielder Jeffrey Baez’s one-out single in the third was South Bend’s last hit until shortstop Gleyber Torres shot a single to the opposite field in the ninth.

Great Lakes scored one in the second and a pair of runs in each of the fifth and sixth frames.

South Bend starter Trevor Clifton struck out seven in five innings. The righty allowed three runs on four hits and four walks. Clifton was activated from the disabled list before Wednesday’s game.

Great Lakes starter Isaac Anderson stifled South Bend over five shutout innings, giving up just three hits, walking none and punching out two.

With two outs in the bottom of the second, Loons first baseman Justin Chibogu clocked an RBI double to the left-center field wall, scoring designated hitter Matt Beaty from third and handing Great Lakes a 1-0 lead. Clifton did strike out the side in the frame.

Clifton walked the bases loaded in the fifth, and center fielder Alex Verdugo looped a two-out, two-run single to center to plate two and push Great Lakes up 3-0.

South Bend reliever Michael Wagner walked two to fill the bases in the sixth, and Chigbogu scalded a two-out single to right field, making it 5-0.

South Bend and Great Lakes close out their three-game series Thursday at 7:05 p.m. ET at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan. Cubs left-hander Tommy Thorpe (3.90 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Loons righty Tommy Bergjans (6.00 ERA).