Cubs Crush Timber Rattlers 9-2 to End Homestand
July 16, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Cubs News Release
South Bend IN: In a Monday matinee from Four Winds Field, Ryan Lawlor became the third ever South Bend Cubs pitcher to strike out 11 batters in a game. With five innings of one run ball, Lawlor was backed up by a relentless Cubs offense that plated nine runs in the final game of a six game homestand.
Eight South Bend hitters brought in RBI as the Cubs took the finale 9-2.
After dropping the previous two games of the series to Wisconsin, South Bend needed a good showing on Monday with an off day coming tomorrow, and a six game road trip beginning on Wednesday. Unlike the previous two games, the Cubs scored the game's first run. Three quick runs against starter Bowden Francis knocked him out of the game after just 1.2 innings.
However, similar to the last two games, Wisconsin had an answer. The good news for the Cubs was they had the insurance runs to stay in the lead. Lawlor's only mistake came in the top of the 3rd, where the Timber Rattlers did not get a hit, but scored a run. With a walk and a wild pitch, the Cubs led 3-1.
Lawlor exited by striking out the last six batters he faced. Striking out the side in both the 4th and 5th innings, the southpaw earned his first win in Cubs uniform.
Even with the two run lead and a dominant pitching performance, the Cubs were not done. After Wisconsin scored seven runs in the 6th inning of yesterday's ballgame, the Cubs returned the favor on Monday.
South Bend's offense exploded with five runs in the 6th inning against reliever Robbie Hitt. Hitt got a break on Monday, because even though he gave up six runs on nine hits, he still took a no-decision.
The bottom third of the Cubs order did some serious damage against the sidearm thrower Hitt. Cam Balego, Rafael Narea, and Delvin Zinn each had three hits. For Zinn, he is heating up with three RBI in his past two games. Narea had two doubles, and Balego doubled once.
The offensive outburst came when the Cubs needed it most. Starting catcher Miguel Amaya played in the Future's Game in Washington D.C. yesterday, so South Bend was without his services. The role players stepped up. And the pitching was dominant.
South Bend's win puts them back at .500 on the season at 47-47. With an off day tomorrow, the Cubs will head out to Iowa to take on the Quad Cities River Bandits next. First pitch on Wednesday night is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2018
- 'Caps Snap in Extras - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chisholm Breaks Out, So Do Cougars - Kane County Cougars
- Snappers Come out on Top 3-2 in Thriller - Beloit Sky Carp
- Dragons Fall in Homestand Finale with Kane County - Dayton Dragons
- Kernels Thump Captains in Series Finale - Lake County Captains
- Lugs' Iowa Trip Ends in Walk-Off Defeat - Lansing Lugnuts
- Five Ex-Rattlers Heading to MLB All-Star Game - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cubs Crush Timber Rattlers 9-2 to End Homestand - South Bend Cubs
- Hot Rods Come Back with 6-5 Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Loons Continue Great Pitching, Shutting out Bees in Game One - Burlington Bees
- Jose Miranda Named MWL Player of the Week - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- LumberKings complete sweep in walk-off fashion - Clinton LumberKings
- Bandits Issue Ten Walks, Drop Rubber Match in Bowling Green 6-5 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Rattlers Fall Flat in Road Trip Finale - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps End Road Trip with Shutout Win - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Kernels Double Their Pleasure in 10-4 Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Chiefs Shut Out by TinCaps 4-0 - Peoria Chiefs
- Packy Naughton Wins MWL Pitcher of the Week Award - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons Notes for Monday - Dayton Dragons
- TinCaps Game Notes: July 16 at Peoria (Game 94) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Homestand Highlights: July 18-23 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
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