By MIKE MONACO

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — South Bend’s offense climbed ahead early and resurfaced late as the Cubs downed West Michigan, 6-3, to win the series and rise above the .500 mark Thursday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Cubs (11-10) led 4-1 after two innings, and designated hitter Jason Vosler smacked an all-important two-run double in the seventh. South Bend starting pitcher Erick Leal (3-0, 2.25 ERA) worked five innings of two-run ball and allowed six hits and one walk while striking out four Whitecaps. Cubs right-hander Francisco Carrillo cleaned up with three scoreless innings of relief to earn his first save of the season.

South Bend shortstop Gleyber Torres continued his torrid start the season by collecting the third four-hit game of his young career. The 18-year old has reached base safely in eight consecutive plate appearances.

The Cubs got to work quickly in the top of the first inning. Left fielder Charcer Burks worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on an error and a wild pitch. Burks then scored on an RBI groundout from second baseman Chesny Young. South Bend has scored first in 19 of 21 games this season.

The Whitecaps tied the game, 1-1, in the home half of the inning thanks to two softly hit singles and a sacrifice fly to left field. South Bend surged right back, though, with Vosler, Gioskar Amaya and Justin Marra reaching to begin the second. Marra’s sharp RBI single to right field plated Vosler and pushed the Cubs ahead 2-1. With the bases loaded and nobody out later in the frame, Torres socked an RBI single to right-center field and Young provided a sacrifice fly to extend the margin to 4-1.

After allowing back-to-back singles to begin his outing, Leal didn’t surrender another hit to the Whitecaps until the fourth when catcher Arvicent Perez bumped a two-out single to center.

Whitecaps left fielder Austin Schotts doubled down the left-field line in the fifth inning and jogged home to make it 4-2 on an RBI single up the middle by center fielder Derek Hill. West Michigan then planted runners at first and third, but South Bend nabbed a Hill at the plate on an attempted delayed steal.

West Michigan inched closer in the sixth inning against Cubs reliever Ryan McNeil and trimmed the deficit to one, 4-3, after a single, double and sacrifice fly. But McNeil escaped the trouble and stranded the tying run at third base.

Vosler provided some much-needed insurance in the seventh inning by driving a two-run double to the opposite field with the bases loaded, widening the gap to 6-3.

Carrillo allowed a lone base-runner in three frames.

South Bend (11-10) is back above .500 for the first time since it was 3-2, more than two weeks ago.

Following its six-game road trip, South Bend returns home Friday to host Fort Wayne at 7:35 p.m. ET at Four Winds Field. Cubs right-hander Zach Hedges (1-1, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to oppose TinCaps righty Ernesto Montas (2-1, 3.38 ERA).