MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Smith goes 3-for-5 with three RBI in win

Published on August 25, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Curt Smith had three hits and three RBI as the Quad Cities River Bandits broke out for the first 11 runs of the night on Monday, cruising to an 11-4 win over the Burlington Bees at Community Field.

Quad Cities (32-31, 65-62) jumped out to a quick lead with three runs in the top of the first and had established an 11-0 lead by the middle of the fourth. Burlington (39-23, 69-62) chipped away over the final five innings, but the hole was too big to climb out of.

Seeking revenge after getting swept by the Bees at Modern Woodmen Park last week, the River Bandits came out swinging in the top of the first on Monday. Adron Chambers set the tone on the first pitch of the game, slapping a line drive single right back up the middle. There were two on and one out when Curt Smith drove an RBI-double the other way, and Jon Edwards followed with a liner to right that brought home another run. Niko Vasquez capped the rally with a fielder's choice groundout to short, scoring Smith from third for a 3-0 lead.

That turned out to be the tip of the iceberg.

Chambers started another rally in the second after getting hit by a two-out pitch, advancing to third on an errant pickoff throw, and scoring on a base hit by Francisco Rivera. One inning later, D'Marcus Ingram made Burlington pay for a two-out walk by launching the next pitch out of the yard for a two-run homer that extended the lead to 6-0.

In the top of the fourth, Quad Cities took a comfortable lead and turned it into a blowout. The first six men that came to the plate reached base, including a walk sandwiched between two singles to load the bases with nobody out. Domnit Bolivar then drew a bases loaded walk to chase Bees' starter Luis Cota from the game, but reliever Paul Raglione did not fare much better. Smith greeted the new hurler by swinging at his first pitch and lacing another double, driving home two runs in the process. Edwards added a liner to right-center that plated two more runs to complete the five-run inning and stretch the lead to 11-0.

The River Bandits cruised from there, as Chuckie Fick (5-5) tossed seven solid innings. Pitching to contact with the big lead, he allowed three runs on seven hits while fanning four and walking two.

All of the Bees' offense was supplied by Nick Francis and Kyle Murphy. Francis drew a two-out walk in the fourth just moments before Martin got Burlington on the board with a two-run homer. Francis then tripled to right-center and scored in both the sixth and eighth innings, coming home on Martin's infield single in the sixth.

Cota (2-3) suffered the loss for the Bees. Just six days after twirling five frames without allowing an earned run at Modern Woodmen Park, the righty was roughed up for 10 runs - nine earned - on eight hits and three walks. Cota lasted just three innings, facing four batters in the fourth without recording an out.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits are in the midst of a four-game series against Burlington at Community Field but will return to Modern Woodmen Park on Friday for PRIZE-A-PALOOZA, a season-ending four-game homestand against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers that will be jam packed with exciting giveaways! It begins on Friday night with a Stadium Cup Giveaway thanks to the Life Fitness Center, while the River Bandits will wear St. Louis Cardinals' jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Genesis Compassion Fund. A 6:00 p.m. game on Saturday features a Rick Ankiel Bobblehead Giveaway brought to you by US Cellular and Fox-18 as well as a live post-game concert by "Tri" on a Rockin' Saturday. A U.S. Bank Family Sunday follows with a Pepsi T-shirt Giveaway before the 5:00 p.m. start and will also include player autographs and the opportunity for kids to run the bases post-game. Lastly, the 2008 regular season comes to a close with a 1:00 p.m. matinee on Labor Day as Modern Woodmen of America kicks off Life Insurance Awareness Month with a Stadium Replica Giveaway. The ballgame will also be FANtastic Fan Appreciation Day, featuring giveaways and prizes throughout the afternoon! Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2008


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