Late Comeback Falls Short as Lugnuts Roll 3-1 Over Cubs
Published on June 10, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release
South Bend, IN - The South Bend Cubs now trail in their six-game series against the Lansing Lugnuts three-games-to-two after the Oakland A's Midwest League affiliate held on at Four Winds Field as South Bend had the tying run on base in the bottom of the 9th inning. With their 3-1 victory, Lansing has an opportunity to win the series on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday evening began as a pitcher's duel between Cubs starter Manuel Espinoza and Lugnuts righty Jack Perkins. Perkins, the Kokomo, Indiana native, and Indiana Hoosier alumni, pitched the start of his career with seven shutout innings and five strikeouts. He only gave up three hits and walked one.
On the flip side, Espinoza started out blazing too. He ended the 1st inning with a double play, and kept the Lugnuts quiet until they plated a pair of unearned runs off of him in the 4th. With an error made, plus a walk and a double, Lansing plated two and they never relinquished the advantage.
The Lugnuts added their third run as Jonny Butler smacked a home run on the first pitch of the 6th inning. It was a 3-0 Lugnuts lead, eventually heading to the 9th.
South Bend had the ingredients for a comeback in them, as Casey Opitz started the frame by being hit by a pitch. Ed Howard then singled, and he had two more hits on the day to make it five total in three games since coming back to South Bend. With the tying run at the plate, Yohendrick Pinango laced his second hit of the game into left, scoring Opitz.
The Cubs had a chance to win it with the winning run at the plate. But Fabian Pertuz struck out against lefty John Beller, and the game came to an end. Pertuz's chance to be a hero was also emphasized as he had a spectacular day at second base, making multiple off-balanced put outs.
With the loss, the Cubs fall back to .500 at 28-28 on the year. The good news is both Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities lost tonight. South Bend will remain three games back of Cedar Rapids for first place, and tied up with the River Bandits for second place.
The series finale is set for Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM. Right-hander Connor Noland will pitch for South Bend after coming out of the bullpen in piggyback relief on Tuesday. He will be opposed by righty Mitch Myers on the bump.
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