MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits Take Opener

Published on August 11, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits got to Midwest Leaguer ERA-leader Kenny Smalley early on Tuesday night, scoring three times in the first inning on their way to a 4-2 win over the Kane County Cougars in the opener of a four-game series at Elfstrom Stadium.

Quad Cities (21-23, 51-63) got a stellar outing from starter Scott McGregor, who lasted seven innings while allowing just one run to outduel Smalley in his home park. Kane County (21-24, 62-53) shook off the early deficit and turned the ballgame into a thriller over the later frames before coming up short in the end.

While Smalley entered play with a league-best 2.20 ERA and in search of his 10th win of the year, the River Bandits wasted no time jumping all over him. D'Marcus Ingram led off the ballgame with an infield single and moved to third on a base hit to right by Jermaine Curtis. After Curtis stole second, Xavier Scruggs walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases with nobody out. A fielder's choice led to an out at the plate and Domnit Bolivar struck out looking, however, as Smalley appeared to be on the verge of escaping trouble.

But with two away, Quad Cities was able to break through. Jason Stidham watched four straight pitches miss the strike zone to draw a walk and force in the game's first run. Two pitches later, Ryde Rodriguez stroked a liner into center that plated Scruggs and Rich Racobaldo and spotted the River Bandits a 3-0 lead after the first half-inning of play.

Meanwhile, McGregor (6-8) dealt for seven strong innings. He allowed just one run and scattered eight hits, only two of which came with less than two outs in an inning. McGregor struck out four without issuing a walk and induced a pair of double play balls, earning a win with a seven-inning performance for his second consecutive start.

The Cougars did not get on the board until the sixth. Mike Spina bounced a two-out single through the left side of the infield, and Jeremy Barfield followed with a blast to deep center that one-hopped the wall for a run-scoring triple and pulled Kane County to within 3-1.

In the eighth, things tightened up significantly. Quad Cities reliever Gary Daley yielded a leadoff single and issued a walk before a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. Spina's sacrifice fly trimmed the deficit to just one run, and moments later a wild pitch allowed the potential game-tying run to advance to third. But Daley responded by striking out Barfield to retire the side and preserve a 3-2 lead.

The River Bandits two hottest hitters then provided a much-needed insurance run in the top of the ninth. Curtis reached base on an infield single with one out and promptly stole his second bag of the game. Scruggs followed with a hard bouncer up the middle that caromed of a diving second baseman, giving Quad Cities a 4-2 edge with his 18th RBI in nine games since arriving in the Midwest League.

Dave Carpenter (9) locked down the ninth with a 1-2-3 frame, striking out a pair to earn the save.

Smalley (9-5) suffered the loss despite rebounding from his shaky opening frame. He allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks while fanning three over five innings of work.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue an eight-game road stretch with game two of a four-game series on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. against the Kane County Cougars at Elfstrom Stadium. Quad Cities will return to Modern Woodmen Park for an eight-game homestand on Saturday, August 15, kicking things off with DHCU Night featuring a Rascal bobblehead doll giveaway for the first 2,000 fans, post-game fireworks, and a post-game Dueling Pianos concert thanks to Nan's Piano Bar on a Rockin' Saturday.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from August 11, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central