MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Seven-run inning helps Loons even series

Published on May 6, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


One night after exploding for a ninth-inning comeback victory, the Quad Cities River Bandits served up seven runs in the fourth inning of an 8-3 loss to the Great Lakes Loons on Wednesday night at the Dow Diamond.

Quad Cities (14-11) trailed by as much as 8-0 and never recovered despite pounding out 11 hits in the ballgame. The Great Lakes (14-12) offense showed why it leads the Midwest League in hitting, sending 10 men to the plate during the decisive fourth-inning rally.

Prior the big rally, the Loons jumped on the scoreboard early thanks to the speed of Dee Gordon. Great Lakes' leadoff hitter opened the bottom of the first inning by legging out an infield single, and after a series of throws to first he was granted second base on a balk. Moments later, Jaime Pedroza lined a 3-1 pitch to right-center that scored the runner for a 1-0 lead.

That score held until the bottom of the fourth, when Great Lakes blew the game open with a seven-run outburst. Tony Delmonico started the rally with a double down the line in left and, following a walk to Kyle Russell, Nick Buss singled home the first run of the frame. After an error allowed Alfredo Silverio to reach, Anthony Hatch clubbed a double into the left field corner that stretched the lead to 3-0.

There were two outs when starter Hector Cardenas was pulled in favor of piggyback righty Kevin Thomas, who entered play with a perfect 0.00 ERA through 18.1 innings.

But Thomas' first pitch was stroked off the wall for an RBI-double by Gordon. After a walk to Pedroza, Austin Gallagher erased the hurler's perfect ERA with a two-run double into the gap in left-center. The tenth batter of the inning, Tony Delmonico, drove in another run with a single to left, capping a seven-run inning and giving Great Lakes a healthy 8-0 lead after four.

Quad Cities did get solid ballgames from Niko Vasquez and Charlie Cutler, each of whom registered three hits.

Cutler opened the fifth inning with a single and later scored on a base hit by Guillermo Toribio for the River Bandits' first run. The next inning, Vasquez started things off with a double and scored on a two-out knock by Cutler, while a base hit by Alex Castellanos brought Quad Cities to within 8-3.

Nathan Eovaldi (1-3) earned his first win of the season for the Loons with six solid innings of three-run ball. The Dodgers' prospect retired the first 10 men he faced and struck out six over 5.2 frames.

Cardenas (2-1) suffered the loss for the River Bandits after getting knocked around for five runs on six hits over 3.2 frames. Thomas saw his ERA rise to just 1.31 despite allowing three runs in 2.1 innings, and rebounded from a tough fourth inning to keep Great Lakes off the scoreboard in each of his two full frames of work.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their road trip on Wednesday with game two of a three-game set at the Dow Diamond against the Great Lakes Loons. They will return to Modern Woodmen Park for a three-game homestand against the Cedar Rapids Kernels that begins on Friday, May 8. The series kicks off with Going Green Night, featuring an Aluminum Water Bottle Giveaway from the Waste Commission as well as a fireworks show on a Fireworks Friday. One night later the first 1,000 fans will get a free patriotic Bandits' hat from the Association of the United States Army and witness a number of other special ceremonies, including the dedication of the Wounded Warrior Rock on the berm at Modern Woodmen Park, on Military Appreciation Night. After Saturday's game, Spatterdash takes the stage for a live post-game concert on a Rockin' Saturday. The series concludes with the first Tailz ‘Er Waggin' Dog Day of Summer on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday, which will also be Make-a-Wish Night at the ballpark!

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Under new ownership and management in 2008, the Quad Cities River Bandits topped 207,000 fans for only the sixth time in team history and the first time in 12 years. Having recently completed one of the most successful seasons in the history of the franchise - and with a renewed dedication to fans, sponsors and the Quad Cities community - the return of the River Bandits has brought a resurgence of support for the team. BanditWear, season tickets and mini-plans, and individual game tickets are on sale for the 2009 season by calling (563) 3-BANDIT or heading to www.RiverBandits.com. But hurry - good seats are going fast!

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Midwest League Stories from May 6, 2009


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