![Quad Cities River Bandits](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/mwl_quadcities_riverbandits19-200.png)
Bandits Bats Go Cold in Opening Night Loss
April 5, 2024 - Midwest League (MWL)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
Davenport, Iowa - The Quad Cities River Bandits left 10 runners on base and hit 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Friday, as they fell to the South Bend Cubs on Opening Night at Modern Woodmen Park.
Despite out-hitting the Cubs 7-6, the Bandits never led during the contest and trailed from the second batter of the game on after Jefferson Rojas launched a solo shot off Quad Cities' right-hander Ben Kudrna.
South Bend pushed the lead to 2-0 on Jonathon Long's RBI single in the third and then moved ahead 3-0 in the sixth against Bandits reliever Cooper McKeehan when Brett Bateman slashed a two-out RBI single into left-center field.
Bateman's RBI would be the only run surrendered by the Quad Cities bullpen, with Chazz Martinez (1.1 IP, 3 SO), A.J. Block (2.0 IP, 2 SO), and Natanael Garabitos (1.0 IP, 1 SO) all turning in scoreless efforts, but Bandits failed to score until down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth, when Carson Roccaforte doubled in Dustin Dickerson against Jose Romero.
However, the South Bend closer quickly snuffed out the rally, striking out the next batter, Carter Jensen, on four pitches for the last of the Cubs staff's 16 on the ballgame.
Tyler Santana (1-0) earned the win for South Bend, matching starter Drew Gray's 3.0 scoreless innings with 3.0 of his own. Kudrna (0-1) took the loss for Quad Cities, allowing two earned runs over 3.2 innings.
Chase Watkins (1) earned a hold with 2.0 shutout frames and four strikeouts, while Jose Romero (1) snagged a save, pitching the ninth inning and allowing the lone Bandits run.
Quad Cities will continue its three-game Opening Weekend set against the Cubs on Saturday, as Steven Zobac gets the start against South Bend's Grant Kipp. First pitch at Modern Woodmen Park is set for 6:00 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from April 5, 2024
- Bandits Bats Go Cold in Opening Night Loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Bullpen Dazzles, Chiefs Win Opener 2-1 - Peoria Chiefs
- Beloit Scores Three in the Eighth, Tops Cedar Rapids 3-1 on Opening Night - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Chiefs Chill Out Timber Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Loons Walk-Off Winners on 17th Opening Day - Great Lakes Loons
- Tincaps Fall In Season Opener - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Lowder Is Exceptional But Dragons Fall to Lansing, 1-0 on Opening Night - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts Blank Dragons 1-0 to Open 28th Season - Lansing Lugnuts
- 'Caps, Captains Season-Opener Canned - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Captains' 2024 Season-Opener Postponed Due to Rain - Lake County Captains
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Friday, April 5 (Opening Night) - Dayton Dragons
- TinCaps Game Information: April 5 at Great Lakes - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Reds Pitcher Ian Gibaut to Join Dragons on Rehab Assignment - Dayton Dragons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
![OurSports Central](https://www.oursportscentral.com/assets/img/footer-logo-latest.png)