MWL South Bend Cubs

Cubs Homer Three Times, Beat 'Bandits 9-3

Published on May 31, 2024 under Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release


Davenport, IA - For the third straight day in this week's series at Quad Cities, the South Bend Cubs plated five runs in a single inning, and also earned their third straight win by defeating the River Bandits 9-3. The Cubs hit three home runs in the game, one each from Brian Kalmer, Ethan Hearn, and Jonathon Long, tying their season best set earlier this week.

South Bend got off to a big start, with it being their third consecutive day grabbing the lead in the 1st inning. It was also the third day in a row where the Cubs scored in the 1st, and did not trail from that point. Friday, it was a five-run 1st.

Brett Bateman was hit by a pitch to begin the game by QC starter Frank Mozzicato, and Reivaj Garcia reached on an error. Felix Stevens then walked, stretching his on-base streak to 21 straight games. With the bases loaded, Jonathon Long smashed a base hit up the middle for a 2-0 lead. Later, Brian Kalmer crushed his first Midwest League home run over the left field wall to bring the lead to 5-0.

Drew Gray got the start for South Bend, pitching at Modern Woodmen Park for the second time this season. Last time, on Opening Day, he struck out the side in the first inning. Tonight, he worked 4.1 innings, setting a new career best. He also had plenty of run support to work with. In the 4th, Ethan Hearn rifled his second home run of the season over the right field wall, and in the 5th, Long produced another RBI on sacrifice fly.

Long would drive in his fourth run of the game with his solo homer in the 7th. The four RBI means that in 11 games against Quad Cities this season, Long has 14 RBI.

Will Sanders was the piggyback reliever for the Cubs, pitching in relief for the first time in his career. Koen Moreno was the bridge between Gray and Sanders, recording the final two outs of the 5th.

Sanders recorded the save, with four innings of relief and closing things out. He struck out seven.

For Jefferson Rojas, his eight game hitting streak came to an end, but with two walks, he moved his on-base streak to 15 straight. Also, Ed Howard moved his hit streak to five in a row. Howard has eight hits in the series, and has a multi-hit game in all three games he has played against the River Bandits this week.

South Bend has won three in a row, and can be victorious in the series on Saturday night with another win. Right-hander Aaron Perry is the scheduled starter with first pitch at 7:00 PM EST.

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Midwest League Stories from May 31, 2024


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