MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

River Bandits Still Alive After 8-2 Win in Home Finale

August 31, 2012 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Quad Cities River Bandits got a hit from every batter in their lineup and scored six runs in their final three innings at-bat to break a 2-2, sixth-inning tie and go on to an 8-2 victory to sweep the Kane County Cougars, ending the regular season home schedule by keeping slim playoff hopes alive in front of 6,082 fans at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night.

Quad Cities (32-35 second half, 67-69 overall) kept its postseason elimination number at one for a third straight day because of Burlington's third straight loss at Clinton. The elimination number for Kane County (32-35, 66-71) also dropped to one with the loss. Like Quad Cities, Kane County must win all three of its remaining games to have a chance at a playoff berth. A Burlington win in any of the final three games would eliminate both the Cougars and River Bandits, who played in the Western Division final a year ago.

River Bandits right-handed starter Sam Gaviglio (9-9) allowed just three hits and two runs in the first seven innings. He struck out eight batters while walking just one, and he gave up the only Kane County runs on three doubles in the third inning by left fielder Chris Elder, second baseman Justin Trapp and shortstop Jack Lopez.

Quad Cities scored a single run in the first inning on an RBI single by designated hitter Stephen Piscotty and tied the game, 2-2, in the third inning when shortstop Matt Williams singled, stole second base and scored on a single by second baseman Colin Walsh.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning, when catcher Juan Castillo hit a leadoff single to right field and went to second base on a sacrifice by third baseman Luis Mateo. First baseman David Medina then hit a double over the head of Elder in left field to bring in Castillo for a 3-2 lead. Medina later scored when left fielder Jordan Walton hit a line drive that second baseman Justin Trapp knocked down in shallow right-center field but threw wide of home plate to try to stop the run. The first four runs were charged to right-hander Jason Mitchell (4-7), who pitched the first six innings and allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Right-hander Dixon Llorens started the eighth inning with a 4-2 lead and allowed singles to two of the first three batters. With runners at first and second base, Llorens struck out first baseman Dean Espy and designated hitter Michael Antonio to end the inning.

The River Bandits added a healthy amount of insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning against right-hander Cole White. Castillo drew a leadoff walk, Mateo singled to third base and Medina drew a walk to load the bases. Then right fielder Gary Apelian, playing in just his fifth game since joining Quad Cities last Saturday, hit his first career grand slam to left field to open a six-run lead. Apelian also set a career high with four RBIs.

In the ninth, Llorens allowed a two-out double by Elder before striking out catcher Kenny Swab for the final out and his second save.

The River Bandits must win all three games in Beloit this weekend to have a chance at returning to the postseason to defend their 2011 Midwest League Championship. Quad Cities left-hander Hector Hernandez (7-7) will start the 7 p.m. opener Saturday night against Beloit right-hander Tyler Jones (4-5). The Snappers already clinched a playoff spot with a second-place finish in the season's first half.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 31, 2012


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