MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Chiefs Walk off against River Bandits, 1-0

Published on June 8, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


PEORIA, Ill. - The first pitch of an intended ninth-inning intentional walk by Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Gera Sanchez got past catcher Roberto Pena and allowed Peoria Chiefs second baseman Jacob Wilson to score the only run of a 1-0 victory by the home team at Dozer Park Saturday night.

After Quad Cities (34-26) left the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings against right-hander Joe Donofrio, Sanchez started the ninth inning in a scoreless tie by walking Wilson. Left fielder Jordan Walton then pushed a bunt to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, and third baseman Rio Ruiz overran the ball, allowing Wilson to reach second and Walton to reach first with the Chiefs' sixth hit of the game. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom put down a successful sacrifice to move both runners. After a visit to the mound by manager Omar Lopez, Sanchez and Pena prepared to walk first baseman Jeremy Schaffer and load the bases. But Sanchez's first throw came closer to the plate than Pena expected, brushing the catcher's glove on the way to the backstop. Wilson raced home for the game's only run and first in 17 innings against Quad Cities pitchers.

River Bandits right-hander Mike Hauschild and Chiefs right-hander Joe Cuda matched scoreless frames for the first five innings, with Hauschild extending his personal scoreless streak to a team season-high 16 shutout innings. Cuda struck out eight batters, allowed just two hits and a hit batter, and prevented any runners from reaching second base through the first seven innings.

The eighth inning opened the bullpen for the Chiefs, as right-hander Sam Tuivailala allowed a one-out single by right fielder Ariel Ovando, who extended his season-high hitting streak to six games. Jordan Scott later drew a two-out walk, and second baseman Austin Elkins loaded the bases with an infield single. Right-hander Joe Donofrio (3-0) came in to face shortstop Carlos Correa and struck him out swinging to escape the jam. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain faced a jam when catcher Gerwuins Velazco walked and Elkins threw high to first base on a grounder by right fielder Breyvic Valera. But Cain got center fielder Nick Martini to pop up a bunt before an inning-ending double play.

Quad Cities knocked on the door against Donofrio in the ninth inning, as first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki singled, and third baseman Rio Ruiz reached on an error by shortstop Ildemaro Vargas. A two-out walk by left fielder Ruben Sosa loaded the bases before Donofrio's inning-ending strikeout of center fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Quad Cities had six of its eight runners left on come in the final two innings.

With a win by the Beloit Snappers at Burlington Saturday night, the River Bandits dropped 1 1/2 games behind second place in the Midwest League Western Division with nine games remaining in the first half. First-place Cedar Rapids lost to Kane County, keeping Quad Cities three games behind the division leaders. The River Bandits continue the series in Peoria at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Dozer Park. Quad Cities is scheduled to see its first opposing major league rehab pitcher, with St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jake Westbrook taking the mound for Peoria.

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Midwest League Stories from June 8, 2013


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