SOUTH BEND – The South Bend Cubs were able to cash in their scoring chances while the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers could not take advantage of theirs on Monday night at Four Winds Field. The Cubs defeated the Rattlers 3-0.

The Rattlers (11-14) had an opportunity in the top of the fifth. Blake Allemand doubled to start the inning and went to third on a grounder. Isan Diaz drew a four-pitch walk to put runners on the corners. But, South Bend starting pitcher Carson Sands struck out the next two batters to keep the game scoreless.

Sands pitched six innings, giving up just three hits and three walks, striking out four to get his second win of the season.

Wisconsin starting pitcher Miguel Diaz retired the first twelve batters he faced in the game, but ran into a bit of trouble in the fifth. Eloy Jimenez singled to start the inning and stole second base. Diaz got the first out with a strikeout and appeared to get Matt Rose to strike out for the second out of the inning. The pitch was in the dirt and popped away from catcher Natanael Mejia. Jimenez broke for third and Mejia went there with the throw, but was late. Rose was able to take first on the play without a throw on the dropped third strike. Instead of a runner at third with two outs, the Cubs had runners at the corners with one out.

Jimenez would score the first run of the game on a wild pitch by Diaz and Rose would take second. Jesse Hodges tacked on the run with a single to score Rose from second for a 2-0 lead.

The Cubs (14-9) added to their lead in the sixth against reliever Drake Owenby. Carlos Sepulveda doubled and took third on a single by Daniel Spingola. There were two outs when Spingola stole second and the throw down was wild to allow Sepulveda to score.

Wisconsin managed four hits in the game and Allemand had two of them. The second baseman had two doubles and a walk on Monday night, but it was not enough for the Rattlers, who have now lost three straight games.

Game two of the series is set for Tuesday night at Four Winds Field.