MWL South Bend Cubs

Extra Innings Battle Goes Whitecaps' Way 4-3

Published on August 19, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release


Comstock Park, MI - For the second time this week, the West Michigan Whitecaps have walked-off the South Bend Cubs in 10 innings. Saturday night saw the Whitecaps rip back and score two big runs in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat the Cubs by a 4-3 final. With the win, West Michigan has taken four of the first five games this week ahead of the finale on Sunday afternoon.

South Bend started Saturday night with a big momentum swing in their favor, although they were down early. Luis Devers got the start for the Cubs and battled through the first inning where he surrendered three hits and one walk. A base hit by Andrew Jenkins put West Michigan on top 1-0, but Devers got the last laugh in that frame.

With the bases loaded, Izaac Pacheco chopped a ball to first base, where Felix Stevens stepped on the first-base bag, and then threw home to Moises Ballesteros where Eliezer Alfonzo was tagged out. The 3-2 double-play ended the inning, and it was an early Whitecaps lead.

The Cubs stormed back. With another long-drive, Christian Franklin homered for the second time in as many nights to tie it at 1-1. In eight games against West Michigan this year, Franklin has four home runs against them.

Devers locked in after the 1st inning too. He struck out the side in the 2nd, and finished his outing in four innings with seven strikeouts. The run support kept coming as well when Moises Ballesteros crushed a home run over the right-center field wall for South Bend's first lead of the day at 2-1.

From then, both bullpens kept the game quiet. For South Bend, Johzan Oquendo fired three shutout innings out of the pen, and kept it with a one-run Cubs lead. Eventually, the game carried to the bottom of the 9th inning. Sheldon Reed pitched a scoreless 8th, but the Whitecaps had an answer in the 9th when Luke Gold singled home Dom Johnson for a 2-2 tie.

As we carried to extras, the top of the 10th saw South Bend once again on top. Josh Rivera was the automatic runner at second base, and Luis Verdugo singled him home for a 3-2 advantage.

In the bottom of the 10th once again down to their final three outs, the Whitecaps rallied and first tied the game on a sac-fly RBI from Pacheco. The bases were loaded, and Austin Murr ended it with a laced liner up the right field line for the win.

West Michigan continues to lead the Midwest League East Division, while the Cubs remain behind the Peoria Chiefs, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and Beloit Sky Carp. South Bend will look to salvage the series finale Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM. Right-hander Michael Arias will take the ball for the Cubs to conclude the series.

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Midwest League Stories from August 19, 2023


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