SOUTH BEND – Strong starting pitching plus the offense playing long ball sent the South Bend Cubs to a 3-0 win over the Lake County Captains at Four Winds Field Tuesday night.

South Bend starting pitcher Carson Sands, pitching for the first time in 16 days, matched a career high with seven innings pitched scattering three hits and allowing no runs.

Sands (6-1) retired 17 of the last 18 batters he faced.

The Cubs now have six shutouts this year including three in their last five games.

Tyler Alamo got the scoring started by hitting a two strike breaking ball over the left field fence for a two-run home run. Alamo, who did not have a home run over his first 353 minor league at bats, now has four home runs this season.

Captains starting pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang (4-6) retired 15 in a row following Alamo’s home run.

Adonis Paula gave South Bend an insurance run as he belted an opposite field home run over the right field fence for his first Midwest League home run in his third game.

Scott Effross threw two shutout innings to earn his second save.

Game three of the four game set is at Four Winds Field today at 1:05pm. Ryan Kellogg (2-4, 3.68) takes the mound for South Bend versus Captains right hander Casey Shane (5-5, 4.12).