South Bend Cubs Fall to TinCaps 8–4; Kohl Franklin Makes Rehab Start

The South Bend Cubs dropped Tuesday’s day game to the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 8–4, in front of a packed crowd of 6,000 fans at Four Winds Field on Education Day. The afternoon featured the return of right-hander Kohl Franklin, making his first live appearance since the 2024 season.

Franklin, on a rehab assignment, pitched two innings and showed some early-season rust, allowing three runs on four hits while walking three and striking out one. Johzan Oquendo followed with an inning of relief, giving up one run on two hits.

The Cubs’ bullpen got a major lift from Evan Aschenbeck, who tossed 4.1 innings of strong relief. The lefty allowed just one run and helped stabilize the game while conserving arms for the series ahead.

On the offensive side, Edgar Alvarez put the Cubs on the board in the bottom of the 8th with a solo home run, trimming the TinCaps’ lead to 8–2. The Cubs mounted a late rally in the 9th, loading the bases and scoring two runs—one on catcher’s interference and another on a bases-loaded walk. But Fort Wayne reliever Xavier Woods struck out the final two batters to seal the win for the TinCaps.

South Bend Cubs Fall to TinCaps 8&ndash;4; Kohl Franklin Makes Rehab Start
The South Bend Cubs dropped Tuesday&rsquo;s day game to the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 8&ndash;4, in front of a packed crowd of 6,000 fans at Four Winds Field on Education Day. The afternoon featured the return of right-hander Kohl Franklin, making his first live appearance since the 2024 season.
Franklin, on a rehab assignment, pitched two innings and showed some early-season rust, allowing three runs on four hits while walking three and striking out one. Johzan Oquendo followed with an inning of relief, giving up one run on two hits.
The Cubs&rsquo; bullpen got a major lift from Evan Aschenbeck, who tossed 4.1 innings of strong relief. The lefty allowed just one run and helped stabilize the game while conserving arms for the series ahead.
On the offensive side, Edgar Alvarez put the Cubs on the board in the bottom of the 8th with a solo home run, trimming the TinCaps&rsquo; lead to 8&ndash;2. The Cubs mounted a late rally in the 9th, loading the bases and scoring two runs&mdash;one on catcher&rsquo;s interference and another on a bases-loaded walk. But Fort Wayne reliever Xavier Woods struck out the final two batters to seal the win for the TinCaps.

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