MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

River Bandits Get Extra-Inning Heroics to Stop Snappers

Published on May 18, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Quad Cities designated hitter Garrett Wittels hit a two-out, two-run double to break a 5-5, 11th-inning tie, and right fielder Nick Martini threw out the potential game-tying run at home plate to end a wild, 7-6 victory at Pohlman Field over the first-place Beloit Snappers that snapped the River Bandits four-game losing streak in the finale of a three-game series in Beloit, Wis.

Wittels had a season-high four hits in six at bats, including a hit to center field in the top of the 11th inning that scored Martini and center fielder Virgil Hill, who began the rally with a one-out bunt single and reached third base with two steals against left-hander Bart Carter (1-1). After a two-out walk by Martini, Wittels hit a drive to center and tried to reach third base but was thrown out to end the inning.

Quad Cities needed more heroics in the bottom of the 11th. Snappers left fielder JaDamion Williams hit a one-out double against left-hander Danny Miranda, who was removed with two outs and Williams still at second. Right-hander Willy Paulino entered the game and allowed an RBI single to first baseman Drew Leachman, who had a 4-for-5 night including a three-run home run and five RBI. A wild pitch by Paulino put Leachman, the potential tying run, at second base. Beloit second baseman Eddie Rosario then hit a single to right field, but Martini threw to catcher Juan Castillo in time to tag Leachman for the final out, ending the Snappers' six-game winning streak.

Beloit had nearly won in the bottom of the 10th, loading the bases with one out against right-hander Heath Wyatt (1-2). But Castillo picked Rosario off third base, and pinch hitter Miguel Sano hit an infield popup with the winning run at second. Wyatt picked up his first win by pitching two shutout innings in which he allowed two hits and one walk while striking out one batter. The River Bandits bullpen effort featured five pitchers combining for 6 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits, one run and three walks while striking out four batters.

The River Bandits (20-21) got 14 hits, including a 3-for-5 night by second baseman Luis Mateo, who batted leadoff for just the second time this season. Mateo led off the game with an infield single and scored the first run when the next batter, shortstop Matt Williams, hit his team-leading 12th double to left field. Williams later scored on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Tyler Rahmatulla, making it 2-0.

Beloit (26-16) got a single run in the second when designated hitter Matthew Koch, who homered in each of the first two games against Quad Cities, hit a one-out RBI double to left field. The Snappers tied the game in the third, when Leachman hit a sacrifice fly. With a 2-2 score in the top of the fifth, Mateo hit a leadoff single to left field and stole second base. He came in to score the go-ahead run on a two-out single by Rahmatulla, who extended his hitting streak to eight games, matching the team high set twice by David Medina in April.

The Snappers retook the lead in the next half inning. Leachman hit a three-run home run to give Beloit a 5-3 lead against left-hander Dail Villanueva who allowed six hits, five runs - four earned - and two walks while striking out three batters in 4 2/3 innings. Quad Cities came back with a sixth-inning RBI single by Mateo, and Rahmatulla scored on a seventh-inning wild pitch, making it 5-5 until the 11th.

The River Bandits continue their six-game road trip at 6 p.m. Saturday with the opener of a three-game series in Clinton. The LumberKings (14-27) have yet to announce a starter against Quad Cities left-hander Hector Hernandez (3-2).

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Midwest League Stories from May 18, 2012


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