Ariel Armas went 3 for 3 with four RBIs as the South Bend Cubs drew 10 walks against the struggling TinCaps, beating their in-state rival 8-2 on Wednesday.

The TinCaps (19-54, 18-20 second half) have lost five of their last six and have a 6-11 record since the All-Star break.

Rosman Verdugo brought home the game’s first run in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly. Drew Bowser tied the game with an RBI single in the second.

TinCaps right-hander Clark Candiotti was pulled after three innings, giving up three hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

Victor Duarte had an RBI single in the fourth to put the TinCaps ahead 2-1.

TinCaps left-hander Fernando Sanchez walked four of the first six batters he faced in the fifth tying the game at 2. With the bases loaded, a double by Armas scored two, giving the Cubs a 4-2 lead and ending Sanchez’s night.

The Cubs grew their lead in the eighth off one of the newest additions to the TinCaps’ bullpen, left-hander C.J. Widger. Kade Snell hit a lead-off triple before Widger walked two of the next three batters. Armas continued to torture the TinCaps, hitting another two-RBI double to make it 6-2.

Widger walked Reginald Preciado before being replaced by right-hander Eiker Huizi, who walked Bowser with the bases loaded to score another run and gave up a sacrifice fly to Rafael Morel. The inning ended at 8-2 with Kasen Wells throwing out Bowser at third following a Leonel Espinoza single.

The TinCaps had four hits and two runs off Cubs’ right-hander Erian Rodruiguez, who struck out five and pushed his record to 5-4 with a win.

Over the final three innings, Fort Wayne was held to just one hit – a Brendan Durfee single in the seventh – against right-handers in Yency Almonte, Grayson Moore and Kenyi Perez.

The TinCaps will look for their first win of the series at 7:05 p.m. today.

Mendez named Midwest’s best

TinCaps right-hander Miguel Mendez was recognized as the Midwest League Pitcher of the Month for July on Wednesday after posting a 0.00 ERA in 24 innings.

Mendez gave up 10 hits, six walks and two unearned runs across four starts. His three wins and 3.75 hits allowed per nine innings in July were both the best in the league. He was called up to Double-A San Antonio on Aug. 1 and is now ranked No. 4 in MLB.com’s ranking of the top-30 Padres prospects after starting the season unranked.