MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Villanueva Shuts Down Wisconsin in 4-1 River Bandits Win

Published on June 25, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Dail Villanueva did not allow a hit until two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning and completed seven shutout innings for his first win since May 5 in a 4-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wis.

Shortstop Matt Williams hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning that extended the lead from 1-0 to 4-0 for Quad Cities (3-1, 38-35), which has won seven of eight games and nine of the last 12. The River Bandits won their fourth straight over the Timber Rattlers (0-4, 44-29), who have lost their last six games since their seven-game winning streak was snapped by the River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park June 15.

The River Bandits broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, when second baseman Luis Mateo hit a double to left field, driving in right fielder David Medina. That came one play after Medina singled, and left fielder Anthony Garcia was thrown out at the plate by Wisconsin center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Right-hander Mark Williams (4-6) allowed all four Quad Cities runs on five hits while walking three batters and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings of work. The Wisconsin bullpen did not allow a hit in the final 4 2/3 innings.

Villanueva (4-4) worked around leadoff batters reaching on an error in the first inning and a hit-by-pitch in the second. He set down 11 in a row before right fielder Chadwin Stang hit a two-out triple to center field in the bottom of the fifth. But Villanueva caught a come-backer from catcher Rafael Neda to end the inning.

Wisconsin put a runner at third base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings but failed to score. Villanueva allowed a one-out triple by shortstop Yadiel Rivera in the sixth and escaped by getting third baseman Brandon Macias to ground out and striking out Haniger. In the seventh, Wisconsin designated hitter Cameron Garfield hit a two-out double and reached third base on a wild pitch. After Stang walked, Villanueva struck out Neda to end the threat.

Villanueva allowed three hits and no runs - both the lowest totals in any of his starts this season. He matched a season high by going seven innings and struck out six batters after failing to record one in either of his previous two starts.

Left-hander Danny Miranda started and pitched a perfect eighth inning. In the ninth, however, Haniger hit a leadoff single. With one out remaining to complete the River Bandits' second shutout of the season, the Timber Rattlers finally scored on an RBI single to right field by Garfield, who was the only player on either side with two hits. Miranda got Stang to ground back to the mound to end the game.

The River Bandits will look for their season-high fifth straight series win when right-hander Willy Paulino (2-4) faces Wisconsin right-hander Chad Thompson (2-1) at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday in the second game of the three-game series.

UP NEXT: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan will be at Modern Woodmen Park for Pro Wrestling Night Thursday, June 28, to kick off the next River Bandits home stand. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. It's also a Barrel House Thirst-Day presented by Rock 104.9, the CW and the River Cities' Reader. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-322-6348 (563-3-BANDIT) and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

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