By Mike Monaco

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – South Bend surged to a five-run second inning and blew past Bowling Green, 10-4, in Monday night’s middle game at Bowling Green Ballpark.

The Cubs (32-31 second half, 61-69 overall) cracked open an 8-0 lead before the Hot Rods (29-33 second half, 66-66 overall) notched a run in sixth.

South Bend starter Trevor Clifton tossed six innings of one-run ball, surrendering three hits and two walks to go along with a trio of strikeouts.

Cubs right fielder Jeffrey Baez (2-for-5, one grand slam), first baseman Gioskar Amaya (2-for-5, two doubles), left fielder Ian Happ (2-for-5, one double) and designated hitter Charcer Burks (3-for-5, three RBI) powered the offense.

South Bend began the night six games behind West Michigan for second place—and a wild-card spot—in the Midwest League’s Eastern Division.

South Bend grabbed the lead in the top of the second when Burks timed his RBI single on the hit-and-run and scored second baseman David Bote, who reached on a dropped third strike, from third. Later, with the bases loaded and two outs in the frame, Baez hammered a grand slam to left field, stretching the lead to 5-0.

In the road fourth, Cubs center fielder Rashad Crawford smacked a two-run home run to right-center field, pushing the margin to 7-0. Amaya then doubled into the left-field corner to plate Baez.

The Hot Rods snuck on the board in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch by Clifton, trimming the deficit to 8-1.

Burks smoked a two-run double down the right-field line in seventh inning to score Amaya and pinch hitter Angelo Amendolare, who was added to the South Bend roster before the game.

Bowling Green right fielder Cade Gotta scored catcher Mac James on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh to make it 10-2. Center fielder Thomas Milone then added an RBI double.

Hot Rods left fielder Bralin Jackson cut the deficit to 10-4 in the eighth with an RBI double to right field.

Cubs left-hander Sam Wilson dealt a scoreless ninth inning to cement the victory.

South Bend and Bowling Green conclude their three-game series Tuesday at 11:35 a.m. ET at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky.