Loons battle back from 2 run deficit in 7-4 victory over South Bend Cubs

 

The Great Lakes Loons (5-14) battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the third, scoring 3-runs in the fourth and another 3-runs in the sixth en route to a 7-4 victory over the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs) at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend, IN tonight. 

 

South Bend LF Roberto Caro led off the third with a single, stole second base, then moved to third when catcher Tyler Payne was walked by Loons starter Edwin Uceta with 2-outs, before both Caro and Payne were driven in on an RBI-single by Cubs DH Miguel Amaya for a 2-0 South Bend lead in the bottom of the third inning. 

 

Great Lakes answered when RF Romer Cuadrado led off the next inning with a walk, moved to third after Cubs starter Brendon Little overthrew first base on a pick-off attempt, then scored when Loons third baseman Gersel Pitre reached on an infield throwing error, before first baseman Jared Walker (3) cleared the bases with his third home run of the season to give the Loons a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning.

 

Uceta (1-0, 2.37 ERA) would settle in to earn his first win of the season, giving up just those 2-runs on 6-hits and 3-walks, while striking out 3-batters through 5-innings.

 

The Loons padded its lead in the sixth when Walker reached on a 1-out walk, then was driven in on an RBI-double by Loons CF Brayan Morales, before shortstop Moises Perez cleared the bases with a 2-RBI single to score second baseman Marcus Chiu (who was hit by a pitch) and Morales, extending the Great Lakes lead to 6-2 in the top of the sixth inning.

 

Pitre added to the Great Lakes lead after leading off the next inning with a single, advancing to second on a walk, then third on a Chiu ground-out, before stealing home for a 7-2 Loons lead in the top half of the seventh inning.

 

Loons reliever Dan Jagiello (3.18 ERA) replaced Uceta, allowing just 1-walk, with 3-strikeouts through 2-scoreless innings.

 

The Cubs, however, would not go down without a fight, as CF Zach Davis led off the last inning with a walk, moved to third on a double by Caro, then scored on an infield ground-out, before Payne drove in Caro with an RBI-single to cut the Loons' lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth. 

 

Great Lakes closer Aneurys Zabala gave up 2-runs on 2-hits and 1-walk, with 1-strikeout to finish out the final 2-innings. 

 

Cuadrado was 2 for 2 with 3-walks and 1-run scored, while Walker finished 1 for 2 with the 2-run home run, along with 3-walks as well to pace the Great Lakes offense tonight.

 

The Loons will close out this 3-game series, and the month of April, with a 2:05 pm game back here at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend, IN tomorrow afternoon, before a rare day off on Monday, where they will prepare for 6-straight home games to start the month of May at Dow Diamond.