MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

River Bandits can't overcome Kernels explosion

Published on June 20, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The River Bandits got a taste of their own medicine on Friday night.

One night after Quad Cities scored five late runs to pull out a victory, it was the Cedar Rapids Kernels scoring six times in the sixth and seventh innings on Friday night to down the Quad Cities River Bandits, 6-1, on Dale and Thomas Popcorn Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Quad Cities (1-1, 34-32) managed just two hits in the loss and failed to score a run before the seventh inning for the second straight night. Cedar Rapids (1-1, 33-37) got a tremendous effort from spot starter Esmerlin, Jimenez, who tossed five shutout innings and allowed just one hit without figuring into the decision.

With both starting pitchers sailing along early, a scoreless tie lasted into the sixth inning before the Kernels finally got to River Bandits starter Brian Broderick. Clay Fuller turned on a 2-0 pitch and belted a one-out double off the wall in right field. One batter later Andrew Romine sent a single into left, allowing Fuller to race home and slide past the throw to the plate for a 1-0 lead.

After a walk chased Broderick for the game, reliever Matt Spade came in with men at first and second and one away. He threw five straight curveballs to strike out Efren Navarro for a big second out, but then Jay Brossman tagged him for an opposite-field, three-run homer that put the Kernels in front by a 4-0 score.

The River Bandits answered with their only run of the night in the top of the seventh. After Matt Arburr drew a one-out walk, Francisco Rivera drilled a double into the gap in right-center that scored Arburr all the way from first to put Quad Cities on the board.

Cedar Rapids built on their 4-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, adding two more runs without the benefit of a hit thanks to two errors and two walks. There was one away when Pete Kozma ranged to his left and fielded a groundball behind second base, but his throw to first was low and allowed Chris Rosenbaum to reach base. One batter later the shortstop dove to his right and made a fine stop on a ball in the hole, but the throw from his backside sailed over the second baseman's head and allowed the runners to move up to second and third. An intentional walk loaded the bases before an unintentional free pass forced in a run, while Hector Estrella added a sacrifice fly for a 6-1 Kernels lead.

A.J. Ford (1-0) earned the win for Cedar Rapids despite allowing the only River Bandits run of the night. He entered the game in a scoreless tie in the sixth and left it with a 4-1 lead midway through the seventh. Jordan Towns then came in for two shutout innings of relief before Eddie McKiernan struck out the side in the ninth.

Broderick (2-5) suffered the loss for Quad Cities despite carrying a two-hit shutout into the sixth. The last three men he faced all reached base and eventually came around to score, leaving his final line at three runs on four hits over 5.1 frames.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits are opening the second half of the season with a four-game series in Cedar Rapids over the weekend and will return to Modern Woodmen Park on Monday to host the Kane County Cougars. The homestand opener will also be Modern Woodmen Night, featuring a stadium replica giveaway for the first 4,000 families and a Rascal bobblehead doll for the first 1,500 kids. A Summer Camp Day follows with a special 1:00 p.m. start on a Two-for-Tuesday, while Wednesday will be Survivor Night as well as a Wacky WINS-Day. The series concludes with a Thirst-day Thursday, featuring a FREE diamond for one lucky lady thanks to the Quad-City Times diamond dig! Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and 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 June 20, 2008


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