[2] On April 12, 2019, Bender signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

[3] After pitching 3+2⁄3 scoreless innings for Sioux City, on May 29, the Milwaukee Brewers signed him to a minor league contract.

[4] Bender played for the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A Carolina Mudcats, and the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers, accumulating a 1.49 ERA in 29 appearances.

Bender pitched to a 5.48 ERA with 25 strikeouts with the Milkmen in 2020, and won the American Association championship with the club.

In the game, he notched his first MLB strikeout, punching out Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tim Locastro.