Cubs flex muscles in 11-4 win over Lugs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The South Bend Cubs (3-8, 42-38) hit three home runs in an 11-4 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (3-8, 40-37) on Sunday night at Four Winds Field.

Joshua Palacios went 4-for-5 and Edward Olivares slugged his team-leading 12th home run for the Lugnuts, who lost their second straight game in the four-game series after winning the opener.

The game featured a Major League rehabber in the Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward (1-for-1 with a walk and an RBI single), as well as rain delay of 71 minutes in the top of the fourth inning.

Lugnuts starter Yennsy Diaz (Loss, 1-1) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in three innings, including a Vimael Machin first-inning three-run homer and a Michael Cruz second-inning solo home run.

Andrew Deramo pitched the next three innings, allowing only a sixth-inning tally.

Denis Diaz wrapped up the seventh and the eighth, giving up five runs - including a three-run homer to Kevonte Mitchell that broke the game open.

South Bend starter Manuel Rondon (Win, 8-2) pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and three runs, to pick up the victory.

Right-hander Geno Encina (2-1, 2.74) makes his first start of the season at 7:35 p.m. Monday, opposing Cubs right-hander Erling Moreno (1-2, 4.06) in the series finale.

The Lugnuts return to Michigan's state capital on Tuesday for special 4th of July LAFCU Fireworks. Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.<o:p>
 
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