South Bend Cubs surrender late lead as West Michigan scores four runs in ninth inning to steal 5-2 win

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Cubs were three outs away from taking the series lead Thursday night before the West Michigan Whitecaps rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to win 5-2 at Four Winds Field.

Nazier Mulé gave South Bend a strong start before Luis Rujano took over and struck out four across 2 2/3 scoreless innings. The Cubs then broke through in the seventh, when Alexey Lumpuy, Michael Hallquist and Justin Stransky recorded three straight singles. Stransky drove in the tying run before Leonel Espinoza brought Hallquist home on a groundout to give South Bend a 2-1 lead.

The game flipped in the ninth after Jose Romero came on to close. Five of the first six Whitecaps reached base, while two wild pitches helped West Michigan tie the game and eventually take the lead during its four-run inning.

South Bend now trails the series 2-1 and will look to even it Friday night. Cole Reynolds is scheduled to start for the Cubs, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.