‘Caps One-Hit by Bandits
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — The West Michigan Whitecaps broke up a no-hitter in the ninth inning as part of an 8-1 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits on a windy Friday night at LMCU Ballpark. In the ‘Caps first home loss of the 2024 season, West Michigan watched Quad
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — The West Michigan Whitecaps broke up a no-hitter in the ninth inning as part of an 8-1 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits on a windy Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
In the ‘Caps first home loss of the 2024 season, West Michigan watched Quad Cities score seven runs over the final two innings of the contest. Trailing 8-0, Whitecaps catcher Jose Sibrian’s leadoff single ended the River Bandits bid for its 13th no-hitter in franchise history. Most of Friday’s contest was played amidst 25-35 mph winds with gusts exceeding 50 mph.
Quad Cities enjoyed a dynamite performance from catcher Carter Jensen, who threw out ‘Caps outfielder Seth Stephenson, who stole a combined 70 bases last season before reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. Jensen’s first at-bat resulted in his first 2024 home run with a solo shot off Whitecaps starting pitcher Garrett Burhenn to take a 1-0 lead. The score remained the same throughout the contest, as West Michigan failed to tie the game in the seventh with runners at second and third and one out before strikeouts to Izaac Pacheco and Roberto Campos ended the threat. In the eighth, a sacrifice fly by Spencer Nivens and wild pitch by ‘Caps reliever Carlos De Los Santos extended the River Bandits lead to 3-0. In the ninth, Quad Cities scored five more times as De Los Santos issued four walks and a wild pitch to give the Bandits an 8-0 edge and put the contest out of reach. Max Anderson’s sacrifice fly in the ninth ended the Quad Cities shutout bid.
On the mound, River Bandits starter Ben Kudrna (1-1) pitched brilliantly, tossing six no-hit, scoreless frames in collecting his first 2024 victory, while Burhenn (0-1) suffered the tough-luck loss despite striking out five Quad Cities hitters in four innings of one-run baseball. The Whitecaps fall to an even 3-3 while the River Bandits improve to 3-3. River Bandits batters combined to draw a season-high ten walks in the victory and took advantage of five wild pitches.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and River Bandits continue this six-game series from LMCU Ballpark with a Saturday doubleheader at 2:00 pm. Righties Jaden Hamm and Dylan Smith get the starts for West Michigan, while Steven Zobac and Henry Williams are your doubleheader starting pitchers for Quad Cities. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Chris Castellani begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:45 pm. Get your tickets for all 2024 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.