MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Boyd Lifts Snappers over Bandits Again

August 8, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


DAVENPORT, Iowa - Beloit center fielder fielder B.J. Boyd hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the third inning for the second straight game, and left-hander Matt Stalcup allowed two runs in six innings to lead the Snappers to a 5-2 win and second straight victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits in front of 6,755 at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night.

Snappers shortstop Melvin Mercedes doubled twice in five at-bats and scored a game-high three runs for Beloit (17-29 second half, 47-69 overall), while Snappers pitchers allowed just one hit in the final 6 1/3 innings.

Mercedes led off the game with a double down the first-base line against right-hander Troy Scribner (0-1), who made his Midwest League debut Friday. Snappers designated hitter Ryan Mathews singled to center field with two outs to score Mercedes.

Quad Cities (23-24, 58-58) tied the game when designated hitter Chase McDonald hit a two-out home run - his 13 th of the season to tie the team high - off Stalcup (4-3). In the second inning, third baseman J.D. Davis singled to center field, stole second base and reached third base after a groundout but was left there after catcher Brett Booth struck out, and second baseman Marc Wik flied out to center field.

In the third inning, catcher Josh Ludy singled to center field, and Mercedes hit into a fielder's choice. Boyd then hit a two-run home run - his sixth of the season - to right-center field for a 3-1 Snappers lead. Scribner worked around another hit and walk each in the third and fifth innings and lasted five innings for an eighth straight start, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

With a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning, Stalcup allowed a leadoff single by shortstop Thomas Lindauer and bunt single by center fielder James Ramsay. Right fielder Alexander Melendez struck out on three foul bunt attempts, before McDonald hit an RBI single to left field. Ramsay reached third base, but McDonald was run down between first and second bases. First baseman A.J. Reed flied out to center field to end the inning with the tying run at third base. Stalcup also allowed a two-out walk in the fourth inning, but then retired the final seven batters he faced. Stalcup yielded five hits and a walk with seven strikeouts.

After Scribner, Quad Cities brought in right-hander Andrew Thurman to start the sixth inning. Left fielder Justin Higley hit a one-out single to center field and scored on a two-out single through the left side of the infield by second baseman Chih-Fang Pan. In the seventh inning, Mercedes hit a leadoff double and scored after a groundout and sacrifice fly by right fielder Tyler Marincov for a 5-2 Snappers lead. Thurman allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in three relief innings, and left-hander Albert Minnis had a strikeout in a perfect ninth inning to finish the River Bandits' pitching effort of 13 strikeouts.

After Stalcup, right-hander Sam Roberts retired all six batters he faced, and right-hander Brendan McCurry struck out the first two batters in the ninth inning before Davis singled, ending a stretch of 15 River Bandits retired in order. Left fielder Ryan Bottger grounded into a fielder's choice for the final out, giving McCurry his second save.

Quad Cities continues its series with Beloit at 6 p.m. Saturday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (2-4) is scheduled to face Snappers right-hander Junior Mendez (2-6).

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 8, 2014


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