MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits Run Into More Tough Pitching In Loss

Published on May 8, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits faced one of the Midwest League's top five pitchers for the third time in four nights on Thursday, managing only two hits in an 11-1 loss to the Kane County Cougars at Modern Woodmen Park.

After facing West Michigan's Alfredo Figaro on Sunday and Dayton's Enerio Del Rosario on Tuesday, Quad Cities (16-15) was dominated by the duo of Craig Italiano and Scott Moore on Thursday as the right-handers racked up a combined 14 strikeouts. Kane County (21-10) also got a huge night from catcher Matt Smith, who went 4-fo-4 with a homer and five RBI to send the River Bandits to their fifth loss in six games.

Italiano (4-0) set the tone early by setting down the first eight batters he faced in order, eventually striking out seven over five shutout innings while allowing just one hit and walking three. Since yielding three runs on opening night, the talented 21-year-old has given up just one earned run over his last six appearances and 30 innings. Moore (4) picked up where Italiano left off with four relief innings to go the rest of the way, striking out seven and allowing one run on one hit for the save.

Meanwhile, the Cougars reached the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. River Bandits' starter Eduardo Sanchez walked two and hit a batter to load the bases while mixing in a couple strikeouts in between. But with two away, Smith lined a base hit to left-center that plated Shane Keough and Greg Dowling for a 2-0 Kane County lead.

The Cougars added another run in the third. Dowling took a one-out pitch from Sanchez and launched it over the right field fence, extending the Cougars' advantage to 3-0.

The River Bandits offense was beginning to show signs of life with a handful of baserunners in the fourth and fifth innings, but was unable to break through against Italiano. Any momentum they may have grabbed was quickly erased in the top of the sixth, however, when Walter Correa belted an 0-2 pitch out of the yard to left for a two-run homer. A pair of two-out errors later in the inning only made matters worse, as Justin Roberson's dropped fly on the warning track in right-center allowed two runs to score to widen the deficit to 7-0.

With the game out of reach, things boiled over in the seventh. Smith blasted a two-run homer the other way to extend Kane County's lead to 9-0, and later in the frame Quad Cities pitching coach Ace Adams was ejected from the contest - but not without a lively exchange with home plate umpire Philip Henry that kept the crowd entertained.

The Cougars added two runs in the eighth to cap the scoring. After three consecutive walks opened the inning, Christian Vitters made it 10-0 with a sacrifice fly before Smith capped his big day with an RBI-double to the wall in left field.

Quad Cities managed their only run in the bottom half of the frame. D'Marcus Ingram drew a two-out walk and scored on a liner to right by Mike Folli. Folli's hit was just the second of the game for Quad Cities, making it an 11-1 final.

Sanchez (2-1) took the loss for the River Bandits, allowing three runs - one earned - on three hits over 2.2 innings.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their home series against Kane County with a FIREWORKS Friday, featuring a throwback River Bandits jersey auction to benefit the ALS Association. Saturday's game will feature a home cap giveaway courtesy of Orthopaedic Specialists before a Minus Six takes the stage post-game on a Rockin' Saturday, and the festivities will also include a variety of promotions for Genesis Military Appreciation Night, including military displays and an exhibition game featuring the Military All-Stars at 4:00 p.m. The series will conclude on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday, featuring clowns, face-painters, and the chance for kids to run the bases after the game! Merchandise featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and 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

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Midwest League Stories from May 8, 2008


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