BANDITS ROLL CUBS BEHIND ROJAS HOMER

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Quad Cities River Bandits edged the South Bend Cubs, 5-3, Thursday night at Four Winds Field. Josh Rojas was the difference with a three-run homer for Quad Cities, his fifth long ball in 11 games as a Bandit. Ronel Blanco pitched a career-high 6.1 innings in his start for Quad Cities and Daz Cameron contributed two doubles in the winning effort while Chas McCormick had a pair of hits in his River Bandits debut.  

The Bandits (16-5, 53-36) took the lead for good when Rojas broke a 2-2 tie with his three-run blast in the sixth. Rojas has reached base in all 11 games he's played for Quad Cities. The Bandits took their first lead in the fourth on an RBI-triple by Tyler Wolfe. After the Cubs (9-12, 48-42) answered with a two-run homer from D.J. Wilson in the home fourth to take their first lead of the series, Cameron doubled home Ronnie Dawson in the fifth to tie the game, setting up Rojas for the winning blast the following frame.  

Blanco (4-2) went a career-high 6.1 innings and allowed just the two runs - one earned - on the home run, five hits overall, while walking two and striking out a pair. Reliever Michael Knighton (2-2) was hit with the loss, allowing four runs - two earned - on six hits. Salvador Montano (S, 3) retired the first two Cubs in the ninth before allowing a pair of base runners, but got a flyout to end the game and preserve the win, making him a perfect three-for-three in save opportunities this season.  

The Bandits have won five straight series and, playing in their sixth series of the second half, are guaranteed to still not lose one. The Bandits have not lost the season series to South Bend since before they became the Cubs affiliate in 2015. Dawson extended his hitting streak to seven games in the win. Carmen Benedetti had his 21-game on-base streak snapped, going 0-for-5 in the contest.  

The Bandits look for their fifth straight win and a sweep of the Cubs in Friday's series finale. Patrick Sandoval makes his River Bandits debut against Bryan Hudson (3-3, 4.54) for the Cubs. First pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. ET/6:35 CT and you can join Jake Levy for the radio broadcast on 1170 AM K-BOB or TuneIn radio.