MWL1 South Bend Cubs

Wisconsin's Big 6th Inning Sinks Cubs in 11-7 Loss

Published on July 15, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Cubs News Release


South Bend, IN: Chicago Cubs 2018 First Round Pick Nico Hoerner hit his first home run as a South Bend Cub on Sunday afternoon with a crushed line drive to deep left-center field, but the Cubs failed to hold the lead at any point in the game. The streaky offense led to Wisconsin taking game two 11-7.

South Bend was forced to battle back all day long on Sunday. Much like the entire homestand and each of the previous four games, the opponent scored first. Wisconsin jumped on top early on a hot and steamy day at Four Winds Field with three runs off of starter Ricky Tyler Thomas. In a blink, the score was 3-0 Timber Rattlers.

Thomas made it through just two innings in his start. Thankfully for the Cubs, reliever Brendan King came in for the 3rd frame and settled things down. King ended his day with three innings of one run ball. With no walks and a strikeout, the Midwest League All-Star gave South Bend the opportunity to claw their way back.

They did just that by tying the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 2nd inning. On a two run double by Delvin Zinn, the Cubs cut the lead to just one. Prior to today's game, Zinn had 18 hits that were all singles. Now, with the double, he brings in his first two RBI of the season. Zinn was then brought in to tie it up.

But again, Wisconsin had an answer. Eventually, the game went to the top of the 6th tied at 4-4. That's when things took a turn for the worse. With trusty lefty Yapson Gomez on the mound out of the bullpen, the Cubs hoped to keep the game tied.

However, Gomez took the loss on Sunday with five runs given up in the 6th frame alone. Overall, it was a seven run top of the 6th for the Timber Rattlers. They added two more runs off of righty Mitch Stophel to take the 11-4 lead. Gabriel Garcia hit the two-run home run off of Stophel for his fourth of the season.

The Cubs tried to chip away in the 8th inning, but could not come all the way back. Hoerner crushed his solo home run in the 8th frame as well. In 14 professional games played, the Cubs shortstop has been on base in every one of them.

Third baseman Christian Donahue can cross pitching off his minor league to do list. The Hawaiian native came out of the bullpen to spare Jimmy Gonzalez's extra arms from having to pitch today. In his professional pitching debut, the righty worked a scoreless 9th.

South Bend will have the opportunity to salvage the third and final game of the series tomorrow afternoon. With a current record of 1-4 on the homestand, the Cubs will send lefty Ryan Lawlor to the mound for the series finale.

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Midwest League Stories from July 15, 2018


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