MWL1 South Bend Cubs

Comeback Cubs Beat West Michigan 5-4 to Win Series

Published on June 10, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Cubs News Release


Comstock Park, MI: Before Sunday afternoon's matchup at Fifth Third Ballpark against the West Michigan Whitecaps, the South Bend Cubs were 0-27 when trailing after seven innings of play. In a 9th inning rally, the Cubs scored the go-ahead run after trailing for much of the contest, giving them their 32nd win of the season.

South Bend took Sunday's game by a final of 5-4. They have now won five straight series dating back to another series win over West Michigan at Four Winds Field back in May. The five series wins have come against West Michigan, Great Lakes, Lake County, Fort Wayne, and now against the Whitecaps on the road.

Much like the norm over the past two weeks, South Bend got off to a solid start and plated two runs in the top of the 1st inning against West Michigan starter Matt Manning. RBI base hits by Jared Young and Michael Cruz gave the Cubs the early advantage.

Over the next five innings, South Bend's bats quieted. This allowed the Whitecaps to slowly but surely get back in the game. With two runs in both the 4th and 5th innings off of starter Javier Assad, West Michigan took the 4-2 lead.

After the middle innings rally by the Whitecaps, the Cubs bullpen cooled things down. With four combined innings from Manuel Rondon and Jeffrey Passantino, the two pitchers did not allow a run. This gave South Bend the opportunity to win a game for the first time trailing after seven.

The late rally for the Cubs started with a solo home run from catcher Miguel Amaya in the top of the 6th. The round tripper gives the 19-year-old Amaya nine homers on the year to lead the team. The solo shot brought the score to 4-3.

Then in the top of the 8th, Cruz came up and drove in his second run of the game on a RBI single into right. Over the past two days combined, Cruz has seven hits.

Tie game. 4-4.

The Cubs rally was far from done. In the top of the 9th, consistent hitting eventually loaded the bases. West Michigan manager Lance Parrish made the decision to go to a southpaw to face Young.

With Felix Viloria in the game, Young watched a fastball sail over the outside corner to the backstop. A wild pitch with the bases loaded scored Christian Donahue to give the Cubs the 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, Passantino worked a 1-2-3 frame. He earned the win to bring his record to 3-0 through three appearances with South Bend.

With the series win, the Cubs will look to continue their climb up the Eastern Division ranks when they face Detroit Tigers right handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann in a rehab start tomorrow night. First pitch for the series finale from Comstock Park is set for 7:05 p.m.

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