Whitecaps even their record at 5-5 with a 6-5 home victory over South Bend Cubs

LocalSportsJournal.com

Danny Pinero’s go-ahead RBI-double in the eighth inning helped the West Michigan Whitecaps defeat the South Bend Cubs 6-5 at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.

South Bend took an early 1-0 lead on Vimael Machin’s run-scoring double in the second inning.

West Michigan answered in the second inning with two runs. Drew Longley reached base after a throwing error before Pinero laced a double to the wall in right-center. Anthony Pereira’s two-run single to centerfield ensued and gave the ‘Caps their first lead at 2-1.

South Bend added one more run in the third inning, tying the score at 2-2. West Michigan took the lead again in the third when Elvis Rubio singled in Jake Robson.

The Caps extended their lead to 5-2 in the fifth inning when Cole Bauml drove home two runs on a single to right field. South Bend roared back with a three-run fifth to tie the game 5-5.

An Austin Athmann single set the stage for Pinero’s game-winning double in the eighth.

Bryan Garcia closed out the ninth inning for West Michigan to earn his second save despite relinquishing a leadoff triple Albert Mineo.

The Whitecaps won two games in the three-game series and improved their season record to 5-5. South Bend fell to 5-5.