MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Watson, Backed by Bats, Pitches River Bandits to 8-2 Win

Published on August 15, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AUG. 15, 2012) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Brad Watson tossed a career-high seven innings and allowed only one run Wednesday night, while each of his teammates in the starting lineup had at least one base hit in an 8-2 series-opening victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The River Bandits (24-27 second half, 59-61 overall) won the opening game of a road series for the first time since July 4, as they had lost their last five. They also won their seventh straight over the Kernels (15-36, 47-74) and 12th in 16 games this season.

Watson (3-2) was given a 3-0 lead in the third inning, thanks to home runs by shortstop Matt Williams and second baseman Luis Mateo. Williams hit a two-out solo home run - his fifth of the season and first since July 12 - and Mateo added a two-run shot with right fielder Nick Martini aboard for his 11th of the season.

Quad Cities added a single run in the third inning, as left fielder Colin Walsh - who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored - was hit by a pitch from right-hander Cam Bedrosian (3-10), advanced to second base on a wild pitch, to third on a passed ball and home on a sacrifice fly to left field by first baseman David Medina.

Trailing 4-0, Bedrosian got the first two batters in the fourth but then gave up three straight singles to catcher Casey Rasmus, center fielder Nick Longmire and Walsh, whose hit was his first RBI since a walk-off, two-run single against Cedar Rapids June 30. Bedrosian walked third baseman Stephen Piscotty, before a two-run single to left-center field by designated hitter Anthony Melchionda ended his night with a 7-0 deficit. Bedrosian allowed six earned runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Watson scattered eight hits by eight different Kernels and did not allow a run until a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Abel Baker in the sixth inning. He stranded a runner at third base in the first inning, runners at second and third in the third inning, and runners at first and second in the fourth inning without allowing a run. He struck out four batters without a walk and earned his first road win this season.

Right-hander Ricky Martinez gave up three straight singles and a run in the eighth inning, with Baker collecting his second RBI. Right-hander Kyle Barraclough pitched a perfect ninth inning to give the team its largest margin of victory - six runs - since a 15-3 win at Lansing July 12.

Walsh, Melchionda, Medina, Martini and Rasmus each had two hits, while Melchionda, Williams and Mateo each had two RBIs. The Kernels were led by two hits each from Baker, first baseman Frazier Hall and left fielder Zach Borenstein.

The River Bandits and Kernels continue their final series of the season Thursday night in Cedar Rapids at 6:35 p.m., when River Bandits left-hander Dail Villanueva (8-6) faces Kernels right-hander Austin Wood (5-11).

UP NEXT: The first 2,000 fans to the River Bandits game on Saturday, Aug. 18, will receive a garden gnome of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Motte, courtesy of Bayside Smoothies & More and KWQC-TV. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game with the Beloit Snappers presented by 101.3 KISS-FM. Following the game will be fireworks. 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.

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