By Mike Monaco

APPLETON, Wisc. – South Bend overcame an early deficit in the fourth, but Wisconsin jumped right back ahead to top the Cubs, 4-3, in Saturday night’s middle game at Fox Cities Stadium.

The Cubs (24-24 second half, 53-62 overall) took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Timber Rattlers (17-30 second half, 40-77 overall) rode two runs of their own in the fourth to even the series at a game apiece.

South Bend starter Jake Stinnett struck out a career-high eight in six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk. In his last four starts, totaling 25.2 innings, Stinnett has fanned 24 and issued just three walks.

Cubs leadoff man Jeffrey Baez (2-for-4) and second baseman David Bote (2-for-4, one run) each recorded multi-hit nights.

Timber Rattlers leadoff man Alan Sharkey led off the bottom of the first with a triple into the left-field corner. He then scored on an RBI groundout by shortstop Blake Allemand, pushing Wisconsin ahead 1-0.

Wisconsin center fielder Omar Cotto dragged a triple into the right-field corner in the third and scored on Sharkey’s RBI groundout to extend the lead to 2-0.

South Bend tied the game, 2-2, in the top of the fourth when designated hitter Charcer Burks lifted a two-run double to left field. Catcher Erick Castillo then skied a sacrifice fly to right to score Burks and hand South Bend its first lead, 3-2.

The Timber Rattlers tied the game, 3-3, in the home fourth on an RBI double by right fielder Elvis Rubio. Left fielder Mitch Meyer then sent Wisconsin back ahead, 4-3, with an RBI groundout.

South Bend lefty Jordan Minch tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

South Bend and Wisconsin conclude their three-game series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. ET at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin. Cubs right-hander Zach Hedges (3.81 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Timber Rattlers righty Jon Perrin (4.55 ERA).