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FORT WAYNE – The South Bend Cubs exploded with a burst of early offense and coasted past the TinCaps, 12-2, on Wednesday night at Parkview Field.

The Cubs (10-4 second half, 51-32 overall) scored two runs in the first, two in the second, two in the fourth, four in the fifth and two in the eighth to topple the TinCaps (6-8, 42-42) in the third meeting of the four-game series.

Fort Wayne climbed on the board in the bottom of the eighth when third baseman Carlos Belen drove a two-run triple to the wall in right-center field to score center fielder Tyler Moore and designated hitter Kodie Tidwell.

South Bend starter Preston Morrison (W, 9-3) tossed seven shutout innings and only surrendered three hits and one walk to go along with nine strikeouts.

TinCaps starter Jake Nix (L, 1-4) allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits over four innings.

TinCaps infielder Nick Vilter tossed his second scoreless inning of the season with a shutout ninth.

Thursday at 7:05 p.m. the two teams finish up its series at Parkview Field.