MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits Bats Quiet Again

Published on June 14, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


For the second straight day the Quad Cities River Bandits made little noise offensively, falling to the Peoria Chiefs, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at O'Brien Field.

After suffering through a five-hit shutout on Saturday, Quad Cities (28-34) registered eight hits but managed just one run in the series-opening loss on Sunday. Peoria (31-30) kept their slim playoff hopes alive thanks to a strong pitching performance by starter Marcus Hatley and a 3-for-4 day at the plate by Josh Vitters.

The Chiefs wasted little time taking an early lead. David Macias led off with a liner to left that was misplayed by Jarred Bogany and screamed over the outfielder's head for a double. Josh Harrison followed by beating out a bunt-single, and when the throw to first bounced away, Macias came around to score the game's first run. Later in the frame Kyler Burke added to his league-leading doubles total by clubbing his 27th of the year to right-center, while Josh Vitters drove him in with a two-out single that gave Peoria a 2-0 lead.

That was all the Chiefs would need, thanks in large part to Hatley (5-4). The 21-year-old righty tossed six scoreless innings and allowed just four hits, cruising through the Quad Cities lineup on his way to the win. He allowed two separate sequences of back-to-back hits - one with two outs in the second and another with one away in the fifth - but worked out of trouble on both occasions so strand all four runners. He struck out two and issued one walk, which was promptly erased by a double play.

River Bandits starter Hector Cardenas (4-3) also threw well, bouncing back from the rough start to retire the next nine men he faced in order. He allowed just three hits after the opening frame, but still took the loss thanks to three runs on seven hits over six innings of work.

Vitters added to Peoria's lead in the sixth with a two-out double that led to another run. Mario Mercedes followed with a low liner through the left side for a single, and when the throw to the plate sailed a few steps up the first base line, Vitters was able to score around the tag attempt from catcher Charlie Cutler for a 3-0 advantage.

Quad Cities eventually reached the scoreboard in the top of the eighth thanks to three consecutive two-out singles. Cutler started the rally with a liner to right and moved to third on a hit inside the third base line by Osvaldo Morales. After a pitching change brought Chris Huseby into the game, Paul Cruz bounced a single up the middle to make it a 3-1 ballgame.

Huseby did not allow another hit, though. After striking out Frederick Parejo to end the eighth-inning rally, the 6-foot-7 right-hander fanned two more during a perfect ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the year.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue a nine-game road stretch with a 5:00 p.m. doubleheader against the Peoria Chiefs on Monday. After the road trip they will break for the All-Star Game on June 23, and then return to Modern Woodmen Park on June 25 to open the second half of the 2009 season with an eight-game homestand against Kane County and Burlington.

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Midwest League Stories from June 14, 2009


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