MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Hirschfeld shuts down Quad Cities

Published on August 14, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


After pulling off a stunning victory on Wednesday night with a five-run rally in the ninth, the Quad Cities River Bandits were out of magic on Thursday, losing to the Beloit Snappers, 6-1, at Pohlman Field.

Quad Cities (28-25, 61-56) managed just one unearned run and committed four errors in the loss, allowing the Snappers to join them in a third-place tie in the Midwest League's Western Division heading into the finale of the three-game set on Friday night. The rubber match against Beloit (28-25, 64-57) will also determine the winner of the season-series between the two clubs, who have split their first eight meetings and are both contenders for a post-season berth with just 17 regular season contests remaining.

The Snappers did not waste any time on Thursday night, as sparkplug Ben Revere started a first-inning rally with a leadoff single to right. After stealing second and moving to third on a groundout, Revere came home on a one-out single by Yangervis Solarte that snuck through the left side of a drawn-in infield. Later in the frame Solarte was at third when Mark Dolenc beat out an infield single to short, giving Beloit an early 2-0 edge.

Snappers' starter Steven Hirschfeld (9-4) took control from there, earning the win with a solid outing in which he limited the River Bandits to just one unearned run over seven innings. Making his 11th start since joining the rotation at the all-star break, the righty struck out three and allowed five hits without issuing a walk. Hirschfeld seemed to get stronger as the game progressed, finishing his outing by retiring 13 of the last 14 batters he faced after Quad Cities scored their lone run in the third.

The Snappers added to their 2-0 advantage on an odd double play in the second. The bases were loaded with one out when Chris Cates sent a blooper to shallow center that induced a diving effort from Tommy Pham. The runners were initially forced to hold their ground, but when the center field trapped the ball they broke for the next base. Pham quickly got to his feet and threw to second for a force out while Domnit Bolivar fired to third to cut down another runner. Before the second out was recorded, however, Greg Yersich was able to race home from third and cross home plate to extend the lead to 3-0.

Domnit Bolivar registered half of the River Bandits hits with a 3-for-4 night that included two-out single in the third. Brett Wallace followed with a base hit to center, and when a tricky bounce skipped past the outfielder, Bolivar was able to score all the way from first to get Quad Cities on the board.

But leading 3-1, Beloit went back to work one inning later. After the first two men of the bottom of the fourth struck out, Andrew Schmiesing and Jeanfred Brito each reached on singles and advanced to third on a throwing error. Revere followed with a high chopper up the middle that flattened out on the second bounce, sneaking into center field and driving home both runners. Revere eventually reached second on an error and stole third, scoring on an infield single by Cates that made it a 6-1 ballgame.

Chuckie Fick (4-5) suffered the loss for Quad cities, allowing six runs - four earned - on nine hits over four innings of work.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits wind down their series against the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field on Friday before returning to Modern Woodmen Park to host the first-place Burlington Bees on Saturday in a battle between two playoff contenders. The series kicks of with a Bobble-Election sponsored by Pepsi and WQAD Newschannel 8 on Saturday in which fans will have the opportunity to choose between Barack Obama or John McCain bobblehead upon entry, while fireworks and a live concert by Spatterdash will follow the ballgame. Sunday's game feature a pre-game giveaway of the 2008 River Bandits Team Poster in addition to player autographs on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday. Monday night will be a Battle of the Mascots as well as a Margarita Monday, while the series concludes with a ballcap giveaway on another Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night Tuesday. Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and prorated versions of 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 August 14, 2008


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