Early Deficit Silences Bandits in Shutout Loss

South Bend, Indiana – The Quad Cities River Bandits mustered a season-low three hits and committed a season-high three errors on Thursday, as they fell to the South Bend Cubs 6-0 at Four Winds Field, their first shutout loss of the season.

River Bandits’ starter Steven Zobac, who entered the game as the reigning Midwest League Pitcher of the week, immediately fell victim to the Cubs’ bats, which tagged the right-hander for a five-run first inning and a career-high match six runs over his 5.0-inning start.

Ryan Ramsey was the only reliever to appear out of the bullpen for Brooks Conrad and wound up the silver lining, giving Quad Cities 3.0 innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts, lowering his season’s earned run average to 2.45 over four appearances.

At the plate, the River Bandits finished the night 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and only once had a base runner reach third base. Despite going hitless on the night, Carter Jensen and Dustin Dickerson each worked a pair of walks, while Jared Dickey was the third Bandit to reach base multiple times, going 1-for-3 with a single and a walk of his own.

Quad Cities will continue its six-game series with the Cubs tomorrow night at Four Winds Field, with Royals No. 4 prospect Frank Mozzicato (1-0, 0.00) making his third start of the season against South Bend’s Drew Gray (0-1, 2.25). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.