SOUTH BEND – After South Bend Cubs starter Bryan Hudson threw six innings of one-run baseball, the Cubs bullpen struggled to hold on to the lead allowing four runs as the Lansing Lugnuts ended the series with a 5-3 victory to win three-of-four games against the Cubs.

The Cubs had to come from behind as the Lugnuts took an early 1-0 lead for the fourth game in row. After Luis Ayala’s leadoff double in the third inning, South Bend tied the game 1-1, which would remain the score for the next three innings.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, with score still tied 1-1, Wladimir Galindo doubled of the right-centerfield wall to score the speedy Brandon Cummins from first base making it a 2-1 ballgame, but the Lugnuts would put together a big inning in the eighth, which proved to be the difference.

WHAT HAPPENED: After Bradley Jones moved teammate Ryan Hissey to second on a groundball out, Christian Williams doubled off the right field wall to score Hissey from second giving the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

In bottom of the third, Luis Ayala, who is hitting .279 against right-handers, hit a leadoff double down the right field line to give Cubs fans something to cheer about.

A pitch then hit Zack Short and Brandon Cummins laid down a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third with one out. Alberto Mineo followed with a first-pitch sacrifice groundout to tie the game.

Cummins continued to show his impressive bunting finesse in the sixth inning after legging out a bunt single to third base. Wladimir Galindo then contributed with a deep double to right-centerfield to give the Cubs their first lead of the game 2-1.

While Cubs defense looked tuned-in most of the game, Isaac Paredes’ eighth inning fielding error helped Lansing’s offense get the momentum they needed to put together a big inning.

While facing Cubs reliever Chad Hockin, the Lugnuts plated two runs to gain a 3-2 advantage before taking a 5-2 lead against Wyatt Short who came into the game to relieve Hockin with runners on first and third and no outs in the top of the eighth.

The Cubs would go on to score a run of their own in the bottom of the eighth but could not overcome the Lansing’s big eighth inning.

HUDSON’s SOLID START: Bryan Hudson followed his previous outing against the Dayton Dragons earlier this home stand with another impressive start. After allowing an earned run in the second inning, Hudson cruised only allowing three hits in the next four frames.

The 6’8″ left-hander has now allowed only one run in his last 11 innings pitched. He received a no-decision after Lansing pulled ahead in the eighth.