MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Vazquez Leads Bandits To Shutout Win

Published on May 24, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Paul Vazquez accounted for all four runs and caught a combined shutout effort on Saturday night, leading the Quad Cities River Bandits to a 4-0 victory over the Kane County Cougars at Elfstrom Stadium.

Quad Cities (25-22) got a 3-for-4, three-RBI ballgame from Vazquez, while hurlers Nick Additon and Mark Diapoules scattered seven hits without allowing a run. Kane County (29-19) lost a game despite sending Craig Italiano to the mound for just the second time in 10 games this season, but the righty still managed to lower his minor league-best ERA to 0.72 with five shutout innings.

In a scoreless tie heading into the top of the sixth, the River Bandits found the scoreboard against Cougars' reliever Brad Hertzler. D'Marcus Ingram led off the inning with a fly ball to the gap in right-center, ruled a double after Shane Keough made a diving attempt to catch it. Kane County skipper Aaron Nieckula argued the call to no avail, and two outs later Vazquez made it count with a flare single that dropped inside of the right field foul line for the first run of the game.

Quad Cities took the 1-0 lead into the ninth when the 23-year-old catcher provided some crucial insurance. Vazquez stepped to the plate with men and first and second and delivered a two-run triple that split the gap in right-center. Later in the inning, he came home to score on a wild pitch for the 4-0 advantage.

Meanwhile, Mark Diapoules (3-0) threw five shutout innings out of the River Bandits bullpen to pick up the win. He allowed five hits and walked one. Nick Additon tossed four scoreless frames to start the outing, yielding just two hits.

Hertzler (0-1) took the loss, allowing all four runs in four innings of relief. He pitched the rest of the way after Italiano struck out six and limited Quad Cities to three hits during his five-inning start.

While the pitcher's duel persisted early on, the River Bandits' defense helped preserve the scoreless tie. Adron Chambers set the tone by racing in to make a diving catch in left field against the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first. One inning later it was Ingram running down a deep fly ball hit into the right field corner. With two on and two out in the fourth inning, second baseman Mike Folli raced out to shallow right and made a one-handed basket catch with his back towards the infield to keep Kane County for tallying a run.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will spend Memorial Day Weekend taking on the Kane County Cougars at Elfstrom Stadium before returning to Modern Woodmen Park to finish out the month of May with a four-game series against Burlington. The home series starts Wednesday with Guaranteed Prize Night and an IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union Night, giving members of the credit union the opportunity to get two free kids tickets by showing their membership cards at the box office. Game two of the series will be Soap Opera Night on a Thirst-Day Thursday, featuring half-price draft beer, wine, margaritas, and fountain soda. Get a blast from the past on Friday with '80s Night and stay late for a FIREWORKS Friday. Lastly, the homestand will conclude with a Cowbell Giveaway to the first 1,500 fans thanks to Kemp's Ice Cream's salute to the cowbell, while "The Warmth" will take the stage live for a post-game concert on a Rockin' Saturday. Merchandise 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!

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Midwest League Stories from May 24, 2008


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