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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits Sweep in Five Game Series

June 17, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits did not have any trouble collecting base hits on Wednesday night, but their 12 knocks were overshadowed by 13 runners left on base during a 7-3 loss against the Peoria Chiefs at O'Brien Field.

The loss marked a five-game series sweep and the sixth straight loss for Quad Cities (28-38), who dropped 10 games under .500 for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Peoria (35-30) kept their slim playoff hopes alive heading into the final series of the first half.

The River Bandits broke onto the scoreboard early, notching a run in the top of the third to snap a string of six consecutive games without scoring first. Jose Garcia led off the frame with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Paul Cruz followed by driving a double the other way to deep left-center, giving Quad Cities a 1-0 lead.

But the River Bandits' only lead of the series lasted just a half-inning. The Chiefs loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the third to spark a go-ahead rally. River Bandits starter Adam Veres responded by striking out Rebel Ridling and then inducing a pop-out in foul ground on the third base side, leaving Peoria in need of a two-out hit. That is exactly what Josh Vitters delivered, sending a line drive up the middle for a two-run single and snatching a 2-1 advantage for the Chiefs.

From that point on, the name of the game was missed opportunities. Quad Cities made three outs running the bases and left the bags loaded on two occasions. Their 13 runners stranded equaled a 2009 season high, as the River Bandits failed to convert on leadoff hits in four separate innings.

After leaving the bases loaded for the second time in the top of the seventh, Quad Cities watched Peoria extend their 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the frame. Junior Lake blasted a solo homer to left to open the frame, while Josh Harrison reached base on a fielder's choice before stealing two bags and scoring on a fielder's choice in which no outs were recorded.

The River Bandits scored single runs in the eighth and ninth, sparked by a three-hit night by Travis Mitchell. But three more runs came home for the Chiefs in the bottom of the eighth as the home team separated themselves late for a 7-3 win.

Justin Bristow (3-2) earned the victory for Peoria, tossing five solid innings of one-run ball to even his record against Quad Cities to 1-1 in two starts this season. Veres (2-4) suffered the loss despite a decent outing for the River Bandits, yielding two runs on six hits while fanning five over as many innings.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin the final series of the first half on Thursday, heading to Pohlman Field to take on the Beloit Snappers at 7:00 p.m. in game one of a four-game set. After breaking for the All-Star Game on June 23, Quad Cities will 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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