A disastrous series for the TinCaps came to a close Sunday with a 4-2 loss against the South Bend Cubs, marking their fifth loss in six games against their in-state rival.
After struggling early, the TinCaps (50-57, 19-23 second half) had the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth but failed to convert against right-hander Kenten Egbert.
The TinCaps will enter next week’s series against the East Division leading West Michigan Whitecaps at 6 1/2 games out of the division’s final playoff spot, which they held before the All-Star break.
For the second game in a row, the Cubs scored first with a fielder’s choice RBI by Edgar Alvarez to make it 1-0. Left-hander Luis Gutierrez settled things down in the innings to follow, allowing just three hits in the next three frames.
In the fifth, Rafael Morel singled, and Leonel Espinoza drew a walk to put runners in scoring position for Ariel Armas’ fielder’s choice RBI to make it 2-0. Cristian Hernandez hit a two-run homer on the next at-bat to make it 4-0.
The TinCaps couldn’t muster much traffic on base against Cubs right-hander Yenrri Rojas, managing just three hits and striking out six times in five innings.
The seventh inning saw the TinCaps break through with a double by Lamar King Jr, setting up a two-run homer for Brendan Durfee to make it 4-2.
Kasen Wells and Durfee each registered two-out singles in the ninth, allowing Jack Costello to extend the game and potentially push the TinCaps out front. After working the count full, Costello grounded out to end the game.
Gutierrez was tagged with the loss after allowing eight hits and four runs in six innings. Rojas recorded a win, and Egbert registered his first save of the season for the Cubs.
The TinCaps have today off and will return to Parkview Field for a six-game series against West Michigan beginning Tuesday.