Because they are not the drawn-out affairs of the major leagues, things happen quickly in the minor league playoffs. As such, South Bend disposed of second half division champ Bowling Green in just two games.
The Cubs used five scoreless innings from Faustino Carrera and a solid effort from the bullpen to stifle the Hot Rods for a 2-1 victory in the opener at South Bend. Nelson Maldonado and Jake Slaughter each drove in runs to provide all the offense they’d need. Then the Cubs took a six-plus hour bus ride overnight to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the rest of the short series.