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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits drop fourth straight with blowout loss

August 7, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits could not break out of their offensive slump on Thursday night, scoring the game's first run only to watch Gabe Jacobo go 4-for-4 with three doubles and four RBI as the Cedar Rapids Kernels stormed back to win by a 10-1 score on Dale and Thomas Popcorn Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Quad Cities (24-22, 57-53) has mustered just three runs during a current four-game losing streak, dropping to 4.5 games out of first place after creeping to within a half-game of the Burlington Bees on Saturday. Cedar Rapids (25-20, 57-56) guaranteed themselves a third series win in four tries against the River Bandits this season and will look to complete a four-game sweep on Friday night.

Despite having failed to score in 29 of their previous 30 offensive innings, the River Bandits scratched across the game's first run in the top of the second. Blake Murphy and Tommy Pham reached base on consecutive one-out singles, and there were two away when Carlos Pupo smoked a hard grounder up the middle. The ball ricocheted off Michael Davitt's leg, and the pitcher tracked down the loose ball in front of the mound but made an errant throw towards first. As the ball bounced out of the first baseman's glove, Murphy rounded third and gave Quad Cities a 1-0 lead.

But in the bottom of the second, Cedar Rapids answered. Jay Brossman started the rally with a one-out single and Carlos Colmenares reached base on an error. Gabe Jacobo followed with a run-scoring knock to left, while Braulio Pardo added a two-run single to put the Kernels in front by a 3-1 score.

River Bandits starter Richard Castillo bounced back by retiring 10 of the next 11 batters he faced, a streak that ended in the bottom of the fifth. Clay Fuller launched a 2-2 pitch to right-center that cleared the wall for his seventh homer of the year and pushed the Kernels' advantage to 4-1.

Meanwhile, Davitt (5-7) continued what has been an impressive string of starting pitching for Cedar Rapids. The 6-foot-6 right-hander tossed eight strong innings and allowed just one unearned run, fanning seven and allowing six hits without issuing a walk. The Kernels' three starters this series have combined to go 23 innings without allowing an earned run, boasting a 3-0 record with 19 strikeouts, six walks, and just 12 hits allowed.

Cedar Rapids had a 5-1 lead when they blew the game open against Bandits' reliever Matt Spade in the seventh. Back-to-back singles opened the inning before a one-out walk loaded the bases. Julio Perez made it a 6-1 score with a sacrifice fly to deep center, while an errant throw to second on a stolen base allowed another run to come home. Later in the frame Colmenares singled home a run and Jacobo swatted a two-run double into the right field corner, giving the Kernels a comfortable 10-1 edge.

Castillo (6-2) took the loss for Quad Cities despite allowing just two earned runs over six frames. He rebounded from a shaky start to throw well in the middle innings, but was still touched for five total runs on seven hits. Castillo struck out six and walked one, failing to pick up a win for just the third time in nine starts.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits finish up a weekday series in Cedar Rapids on Friday before returning to Modern Woodmen Park on Saturday to host the Clinton LumberKings for a four-game set. Saturday night's game will be Jimmy Buffett Night as will as Davenport Community Night, featuring a post-game concert by the Fry Daddies. The fun continues on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday with a free poster of Cardinals first-round picks Brett Wallace and Pete Kozma for the first 750 fans through the games! Unsinkable Spirit Night follows on Monday, featuring a variety of fundraising activities to help raise money for local flood relief. The homestand concludes with a water bottle giveaway on Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night, which will also be QC Area Rotary Night to raise funds in support of Polio eradication worldwide. Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and prorated versions of season ticket packages, mini-packages, and the popular You-Pick-10 Plan are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2008


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