MWL Quad Cities River Bandits

Kaufman's Quality Start Leads Bandits to Win in Series Opener

Published on May 24, 2022 under Midwest League (MWL)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Fort Wayne, Ohio - Led by Rylan Kaufman's 6.0-inning start, the Quad Cities River Bandits topped the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Tuesday night by a final score of 3-1 at Parkview Field.

Three quarters of the game's four runs were scored in the opening inning, as Quad Cities took an early 2-0 lead against Jackson Wolf, plating a run on an error by Olivier Basabe and then a second one batter later on Luca Tresh's RBI single.

In the bottom of the first, a leadoff walk of Jarryd Dale came back to bite Kaufman after Brandon Valenzuela took a two out, two strike pitch into left for an RBI single. However, it'd be the only run of the game scored by Fort Wayne or allowed by Kaufman, who for the second time in as many High-A starts, struck out eight batters.

While Kaufman held the TinCaps in check, Wolf allowed the Bandits' third run in the top of the fourth sparked by Tresh and Kale Emshoff reaching to begin the inning. After Herard Gonzalez's sacrifice-bunt, Dillan Shurm beat out an RBI-infield hit to put Quad Cities up 3-1.

Kaufman ended his career night with a third strikeout of Robert Hassell to conclude the sixth, before handing the ball to Chase Wallace and Patrick Halligan, who each pitched a scoreless inning en route to a hold apiece.

After 5.2 innings of three-run ball, Wolf was relieved by Brandon Komar who got Brule Dixon to ground out to end the top of the sixth and then struck out seven batters, allowing one walk over 3.0 innings to close out the game.

Emilio Marquez was the third and final pitcher out of the bullpen for Brooks Conrad and pitched a perfect ninth with a pair of strikeouts for his second save of the season.

Kaufman (1-0) earned the win for the Bandits and became the team's second pitcher to toss a quality start. Wolf (1-3) took the loss despite an eight-strikeout performance as well.

The River Bandits will look to win back-to-back games for just the second time in May on Wednesday as they'll turn to Caden Monke (0-2, 5.24) for his first start of the year against Fort Wayne's Noel Vela (1-1, 1.55). First pitch at Parkview Field is scheduled for 6:35pm.

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