Cepeda, Hartshorn Power Cubs to 8-4 Defeat of Cedar Rapids
The South Bend Cubs (73-50) overmatched the Cedar Rapids Kernels (47-78) on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field, winning 8-4. South Bend shortstop Angel Cepeda hit two home runs in the game, while first baseman Josiah Hartshorn broke the South Bend Cubs single-season RBI record with a long ball of
The South Bend Cubs (73-50) overmatched the Cedar Rapids Kernels (47-78) on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field, winning 8-4. South Bend shortstop Angel Cepeda hit two home runs in the game, while first baseman Josiah Hartshorn broke the South Bend Cubs single-season RBI record with a long ball of his own.
Click here to view Tuesday’s box score.
Right-hander Jostin Florentino made the start for South Bend, allowing three runs in 3.1 innings to put the Cubs in an early hole. Designated hitter Eduardo Tait provided the first run of the game in the first inning, launching his 22nd home run of the season to right field. He drove in another run with a single to right in the third, cashing in on a leadoff double from center fielder Yasser Mercedes.
Left-hander Michael Carpenter started for the Kernels, and the Cubs attacked him for three runs in 2.2 innings via a two-out rally in the bottom of the third. In that third inning, South Bend tallied four consecutive hits with two outs, beginning with a single from designated hitter Kade Snell. Cepeda followed with an RBI single to left-center, and left fielder Jose Escobar later sliced a two-run double to the left-field corner, giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead.
South Bend’s first lead of the night didn’t last long, as shortstop Ramiro Dominguez lofted a game-tying home run to left field in the top of the fourth. The Kernels put two more runners aboard after that, forcing right-hander Nate Williams into the game for South Bend. Williams played a key role in swinging the game toward the Cubs, stranding multiple runners in both the fourth and fifth innings.
The Cubs took control of the game in the bottom of the fifth, leaning on the top of their order for three runs. Hartshorn led off with a single, scoring on Snell’s rocketed triple to right-center. Cepeda completed the three-spot with a two-run home run to right-center field, sending the Cubs into a 6-3 lead.
Though Mercedes responded with a bullet home run to left-center in the top of the sixth, the Cubs kept their foot on the gas with two more long balls in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hartshorn delivered the first, a majestic solo shot over the right-field foul pole. The home run, Hartshorn’s 23rd of the season and 18th in High-A, allowed Hartshorn to break the South Bend Cubs single-season RBI record with his 82nd in the Midwest League. Two batters later, Cepeda placed his second home run of the game in the same landing spot as his first, earning his second multi-home run game within the last week. Cepeda now has 11 High-A home runs on the year, including five since last Wednesday.
South Bend’s bullpen performed well to wrap up the ballgame and a series-opening win. After 1.2 solid frames from right-hander Edwardo Melendez, fellow righty Yoendris Gonzalez struck out four in 2.1 scoreless innings to seal the deal.
The Cubs and Kernels will return for game two of the series at 7:05 PM on Wednesday, September 2. Right-hander Brayden Spears is scheduled to start for South Bend against Cedar Rapids lefty Cesar Lares.