 Bend Cubs Edged Out by Lugnuts 6–5 Despite Gallagher’s 12 K Gem

Lansing, MI — The South Bend Cubs came up just short in a tough 6–5 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday night at Jackson Field, despite a stellar outing from starting pitcher Ryan Gallagher.

The 2024 sixth-round draft pick delivered a career-best performance, striking out 12 batters over six innings and allowing just five hits. Unfortunately, two pitches proved costly — a two-run home run by T.J. Schofield-Sam in the second inning and another two-run shot by Sahid Valenzuela in the fifth.

Down 4–1 entering the sixth, the Cubs rallied. Drew Bowser lined a two-run single to cut the deficit to one, and the game was tied moments later when Miguel Pabón scored on a controversial fielder’s choice. The Lugnuts failed to turn a double play, and while the throw appeared to beat the runner, the umpire ruled the defensive player wasn’t in contact with second base while possessing the ball.

Lugnuts manager Darryl Kennedy strongly disputed the call and was ejected from the game.

The Lugnuts regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a catcher’s error, and added what turned out to be the game-winning run in the eighth on a throwing error by the right fielder.

South Bend mounted a final rally in the ninth. Brian Kalmer scored on a line-drive single to right by Ivan Brethowr, but Brethowr was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double to end the game. Right fielder Jared Dickey fired to shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, who applied the tag to secure the final out.

Despite the loss, South Bend out-hit Lansing 9–6, and Gallagher’s dominance on the mound was a bright spot as the Cubs look to bounce back in the series.

&nbsp;Bend Cubs Edged Out by Lugnuts 6&ndash;5 Despite Gallagher&rsquo;s 12 K Gem
Lansing, MI &mdash; The South Bend Cubs came up just short in a tough 6&ndash;5 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday night at Jackson Field, despite a stellar outing from starting pitcher Ryan Gallagher.
The 2024 sixth-round draft pick delivered a career-best performance, striking out 12 batters over six innings and allowing just five hits. Unfortunately, two pitches proved costly &mdash; a two-run home run by T.J. Schofield-Sam in the second inning and another two-run shot by Sahid Valenzuela in the fifth.
Down 4&ndash;1 entering the sixth, the Cubs rallied. Drew Bowser lined a two-run single to cut the deficit to one, and the game was tied moments later when Miguel Pab&oacute;n scored on a controversial fielder&rsquo;s choice. The Lugnuts failed to turn a double play, and while the throw appeared to beat the runner, the umpire ruled the defensive player wasn&rsquo;t in contact with second base while possessing the ball.
Lugnuts manager Darryl Kennedy strongly disputed the call and was ejected from the game.
The Lugnuts regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a catcher&rsquo;s error, and added what turned out to be the game-winning run in the eighth on a throwing error by the right fielder.
South Bend mounted a final rally in the ninth. Brian Kalmer scored on a line-drive single to right by Ivan Brethowr, but Brethowr was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double to end the game. Right fielder Jared Dickey fired to shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, who applied the tag to secure the final out.
Despite the loss, South Bend out-hit Lansing 9&ndash;6, and Gallagher&rsquo;s dominance on the mound was a bright spot as the Cubs look to bounce back in the series.

The home of Notre Dame Sports, Weekday Sportsbeat, the South Bend Cubs, the NFL, and more!

The home of Notre Dame Sports, Weekday Sportsbeat, the South Bend Cubs, the NFL, and more!

Sports Radio WSBT

The home of Notre Dame Sports, Weekday Sportsbeat, the South Bend Cubs, the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL and more!

The home of Notre Dame Sports, Weekday Sportsbeat, the South Bend Cubs, the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL and more!