MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits defense costs them late

Published on April 9, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Opening Day started off on the right note for the Quad Cities River Bandits, but a pair of late errors allowed the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to sneak out a late 2-1 victory on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Quad Cities (0-1) pitching staff allowed just two unearned runs and five hits in a losing effort, while Wisconsin (1-0) countered with prospects Cody Scarpetta and Efrain Nieves to the delight of the sellout crowd of 5,487.

The River Bandits led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth before a pair of defensive miscues did them in. Brett Lawrie opened the inning with a bouncing ball to third, but Domnit Bolivar rushed the throw and the ball skipped away for a two-base error. Two outs later, Lawrie was at third base when an infield single by Michael Vass tied the game.

Later in the frame there were two on when Sean McCraw hit a bouncer towards third base, but the ball slipped through Bolivar's legs and into left field allowing Vass to come around for the go-ahead run. Bolivar's second error of the inning led to the second unearned run as Wisconsin took a 2-1 lead.

Jim Henderson (1) came in for the ninth and locked down the save despite a brief rally. Jon Edwards drew a one-out walk and Charlie Cutler singled him to third with two away, but Bolivar followed with a fly out for the final out of the game.

Nieves (1-0) picked up the win for the Timber Rattlers after three no-hit innings out of the bullpen that included six strikeouts. Also impressive was the starter Scarpetta, who racked up eight strikeouts and allowed just one run on two hits over four innings of work. After walking the first batter of the game, the Brewers' prospect struck out five of the next six batters he faced before the River Bandits got to him in the third.

Initially it was the River Bandits that broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. Aaron Luna started the rally by smacking a double off the batter's eye in center field for the first hit of the game. One batter later, Paul Cruz laced a line-drive single to right that brought home Luna for a 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately, Quad Cities would not register another hit until Cutler's single in the ninth.

Adam Veres started for Quad Cities and put together three strong innings, allowing just one hit and fanning two without given up a run. Kevin Thomas followed with two scoreless innings of his own, using three strikeouts to work around a pair of hits.

Arquimedes Nieto (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing two unearned runs on two hits in 2.2 frames.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their opening series on the road against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Friday. The Modern Woodmen Park home-opener against the Beloit Snappers will take place on Monday, April 13, at 3:00 p.m. and will feature a magnet schedule giveaway for the first 2,000 fans. That marks the start of a seven-game homestand in which the River Bandits will be at home from April 13-18. On Tuesday, April 21, the park will play host to NCAA Division I baseball for the first time with a match-up between the University of Iowa and Western Illinois.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Under new ownership and management in 2008, the Quad Cities River Bandits topped 207,000 fans for only the sixth time in team history and the first time in 12 years. Having recently completed one of the most successful seasons in the history of the franchise - and with a renewed dedication to fans, sponsors and the Quad Cities community - the return of the River Bandits has brought a resurgence of support for the team. BanditWear, season tickets and mini-plans, and individual game tickets are on sale for the 2009 season by calling (563) 3-BANDIT or heading to www.RiverBandits.com. But hurry - good seats are going fast!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from April 9, 2009


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