River Bandits take series in 4-0 whitewash of Cubs
Davenport, IA - In the series finale between the South Bend Cubs and Quad Cities River Bandits on opening weekend of the 2024 MiLB season, Quad Cities finished off the week with a series victory. In a 4-0 shutout, the River Bandits blanked the Cubs, and South Bend now heads
Davenport, IA - In the series finale between the South Bend Cubs and Quad Cities River Bandits on opening weekend of the 2024 MiLB season, Quad Cities finished off the week with a series victory. In a 4-0 shutout, the River Bandits blanked the Cubs, and South Bend now heads back to the ‘574’ for their home opener on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM.
After winning on Friday’s opening day, the Cubs fell in extra innings on Saturday night, and were not able to produce a run on Sunday. Quad Cities sent starter Henry Williams to the mound, as South Bend countered with right-hander Tyler Schlaffer.
For Schlaffer, it was his first outing since July of 2022, when he made his first and only appearance that season with the South Bend Cubs. Following that game, he needed Tommy John Surgery. A year-and-a-half later, Schlaffer is back as a 22-year-old. The South Chicago Suburbs native fired three shutout innings, and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st inning.
South Bend also had an opportunity with the bases loaded in the top of the 1st. Williams walked three straight hitters, but he got out of it. That would be South Bend’s best opportunity of the day.
After Schlaffer departed, Koen Moreno also made his Midwest League debut, and fired two shutout innings to begin his appearance. He ran into trouble in his third inning of work, where he surrendered two walks. Quad Cities catcher Carter Jensen brought home a pair of runs, and finished the series with three total RBI. The River Bandits added one more to make it a 3-0 game after six innings.
Quad Cities would capitalize on one more chance to lead 4-0, and their bullpen took them the rest of the way. Williams pitched five shutout innings, but took a no-decision. Left-hander Hunter Owen, out of Vanderbilt, made his Minor League Baseball debut, pitching a scoreless inning, which earned him the win.
Chase Wallace and Ben Sears finished off the final three frames, to earn Quad Cities the shutout.
At the plate for the Cubs, Brett Bateman extended his on-base streak to three games with two walks. In the series, he was on base nine times. Jonathon Long doubled twice, and also walked, while Pedro Ramirez picked up two singles.
With the loss, the Cubs are 1-2 and headed home to take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on opening night Tuesday evening. First pitch time is set for 7:05 PM.