SOUTH BEND – Strong pitching shut down the South Bend offense as West Michigan defeated the Cubs 2-1 Thursday at Four Winds Field.

Kyle Dowdy, the Detroit Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July, didn’t give the Cubs offense much. Dowdy threw five and two-thirds innings allowing six hits and one run while striking out eight. Dowdy won his tenth game of the season in twelve decisions.

The Cubs struck out 16 times in the game including the Whitecaps bullpen collecting eight strikeouts in three and a third innings.

South Bend starter Justin Steele (5-7) took the loss after tossing six innings of two run ball. The left-hander allowed eleven base runners and was helped out by a season-high four double play balls turned.

The Cubs picked up their only run in the bottom of the sixth when Matt Rose (single) scored on Vimael Machin’s two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Cubs open a home series versus Great Lakes Friday at 7:35 p.m.