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MWL1 South Bend Cubs

Walking in a Winter Error-Land: Caps Win Snow Shortened Game 6-3

April 10, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Cubs News Release


SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The South Bend Cubs and West Michigan Whitecaps not only faced off against one another on Friday night, but had to deal with Old Man Winter as well. The two teams battled through windchill temperatures in the low 20's and two snow delays until the game was called after 30 minutes into the second delay due to inclement weather. With a 6-3 lead through six and two-thirds innings, West Michigan knotched their second win of the season, both at the Cubs' expense.

The West Michigan Whitecaps, Class-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, jumped on the board first with three unearned runs in the top of the third inning. Third baseman Steven Fuentes reached by singling towards second base off South Bend starter Justin Steele (L, 0-1). Center fielder Derek Hill laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Fuentes to second. However, Steele's throw to first sailed high of first baseman Jose Paniauga and into the right field bullpen. The throwing error allowed Fuentes to advance to third and Hill to second. After shortstop David Gonzalez lined out to left field, second baseman Brett Pirtle laced a single down the left field line to plate Fuentes and Hill and out the Whitecaps in front 2-0. Then with first baseman Will Allen batting, Pirtle broke for second. As Pirtle slid in safely to second for the stolen base, Steele's throw rolled into center field allowing Pirtle to continue rounding the bases and score to give West Michigan a 3-0 advantage.

The South Bend Cubs, Class-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, got a run back in the bottom of the third. Center fielder Donnie Dewees led off the frame with a walk and then moved up to second as designated hitter PJ Higgins was plunked by an offering from Whitecaps starter Fernando Perez. Then the Whitecaps caught the error bug as Perez threw towards second in an attempt to pick off Dewees, but his throw was off the mark and allowed Dewees to move up third. As Hill bobbled the ball in center, Higgins was able to move up to second base on the fielding error. During third baseman, Matt Rose's at bat, a Perez wild pitch enabled Dewees to scamper home for the Cubs first run of the game. However, the rally ended there as Higgins also tried to score on the wild pitch but was out at home.

West Michigan plated another run in the fourth as the South Bend miscues continued. With two outs, Hill singled to left field. Steele then threw to first in attempt to pick-off Hill, but his throw was high and rolled down the right field line to move Hill to third. A double to left by Gonzalez brought Hill home to put the Whitecaps in front 4-1.

The Whitecaps would score two more runs in the top of the sixth, thanks in part to three more South Bend errors. Fuentes singled through the hole at second base and then Hill reached on a fielding error by shortstop Bryant Flete. Fuentes then moved up to third on Gonzalez's fly out to center. Then while Pirtle was batting, Hill stole second base. Catcher Ian Rice's throw down to second was wide and rolled into center field. The errant throw allowed Fuentes to score from third. In trying to field the ball in center, Dewees bobbled the ball, allowing Hill to continue on home to push the Whitecaps ahead 6-1.

As the snow continued to fall, the Cubs wrestled two runs back in the bottom of the sixth. After right fielder Eddy Julio Martinez reached on a fielder's choice, he advanced to second on a 4-3 ground out by Paniauga and then to third on a single deep in the hole between short and third by Rice. A triple to the right-center gap by Flete plated Martinez and Rice to close within three runs of the Whitecaps.

South Bend came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, down 6-3. After the first two batters of the inning grounded out, the snow intensified, and the umpires pulled the players from the field. After a 30 minute delay, it was determined that the field was not in safe condition to resume play, and snowfall was expected to continue. With the game halted at that point, West Michigan got credit for the win.

The Cubs-'Caps series continues Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The teams wrap up the home-and-home at West Michigan on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Cubs return home to Four Winds Field for three games against the Bowling Green Hot Rods beginning Monday, April 11 at 7:05 p.m. It's a Belly Buster Monday. Enjoy all you can eat hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn, with the purchase of a Belly Buster Wristband.

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