SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The door on a deep playoff run for the South Bend Cubs has officially ended, as they dropped game 2 of the Western Division series to the Quad City’s River Bandits 3-1.
Cubs starting pitcher faced trouble early in the top of the second inning after he walked the leadoff batter, who would be driven in by Quad Cities shortstop Austin Charles to put the Bandits up 1-0.
No. 1 Kansas City Royals Prospect, Kendrys Churio gave a strong performance for the Bandits and held the Cubs scoreless through 4.1 innings, while striking out six batters.
In the 6th inning, the River Bandits would add another run on two hits, stretching the lead to 2-0.
The Cubs would respond in the seventh, driving in their first and only run of the ball game, courtesy of Center fielder Caden Sorrell bringing second basemen Reggie Preciado around after his leadoff single.
Unfortunately for the Cubs the timely hit was just not there for them, and the River Bandits would add a third run in the top of the eighth inning after the Cubs pitching staff loaded the bases.
The River Bandits advance to the Midwest League Championship Series and will meet either the Great Lakes Loons or the Dayton Dragons, who will play a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday night.