Cubs Sweep Whitecaps to Begin 2019 Campaign
April 5, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Cubs News Release
South Bend, IN: For the first time since 2006, the South Bend franchise has started the Midwest League season with a 2-0 record. Under Manager Buddy Bailey, the Cubs are out of the gates in full force and have swept the West Michigan Whitecaps in the quick two game homestand. Tonight, the pitchers were the story in the 1-0 victory.
Cam Sanders made the start in his South Bend Cubs debut. To start the game, the former LSU Tiger settled himself down by striking out the first batter Parker Meadows. Sanders finished with two strikeouts in five shutout innings.
Because of South Bend scoring in the 2nd inning, Sanders was then in line for the win. The run came on an RBI groundout hit by catcher Rafelin Lorenzo, scoring Tyler Durna. That was ultimately all the Cubs needed to beat Lance Parrish's Whitecaps for the second straight day.
After Sanders exited, Jeff Passantino took over. Passantino, a returning player to the South Bend roster from 2018, picked up right where he left off from last season. In three complete innings, the 2016 Cape Cod League Most Outstanding Pitcher dominated by striking out six batters with a really good changeup.
Riley McCauley tossed the final frame and picked up his first save as a South Bend Cub. The former Michigan State Spartan struck out one in the 9th inning.
Buddy Bailey is now up to 2,069 career wins. He is 23 wins away from 9th all time in Minor League history. Now sporting a 2-0 record, the Cubs will head north to Comstock Park for the next two games against the Whitecaps. That will be followed by four games in Midland versus the Great Lakes Loons.
First pitch tomorrow night against West Michigan is set for 4 p.m. Eury Ramos is expected to take the ball for the Cubs.
Midwest League Stories from April 5, 2019
- Snappers ride 15 hits to first win of 2019 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Lugnuts Speed to First Win of 2019, 7-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Lugnuts Surge Late to Even Series - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Cubs Sweep Whitecaps to Begin 2019 Campaign - South Bend Cubs
- Kernels Crush Chiefs, 10-4 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Rattler Rally Falls Short at Beloit - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Whitecaps Shut out in South Bend - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Schuyler's Home Run Helps Dragons to First Win, 7-5 - Dayton Dragons
- Loons Looking Forward to Home Opener - Great Lakes Loons
- TinCaps Game Notes: April 5 vs. Lansing (Game 2/140) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Roberson Deals and Encarnacion Thrills in 5-1 win - Clinton LumberKings
- LumberKings Pull Away from Cougars - Kane County Cougars
- Unplayable Field Conditions Postpone Friday Game in Burlington - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Game Postponed - Burlington Bees
- 20-Game High School Baseball Program Opens Sunday at Fifth Third - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons Notes for Friday - Dayton Dragons
- McClanahan K's Nine in Hot Rods 3-2 Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Snappers Fall to Wisconsin on Opening Night - Beloit Sky Carp
- Clinton Falls In Season Opener - Clinton LumberKings
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.
