River Bandits take finale against Kernels, 3-1

Quad Cities came into the finale against Cedar Rapids averaging just fewer than ten runs per game during the series. On Monday night, the River Bandits would tally only three runs on four hits, but it was enough to win 3-1 over the Kernels, moving Quad Cities back to .500 and within five games of second-place Beloit with three weeks left in the first half.

The River Bandits improved to 5-1 when a Quad Cities' starting pitcher lasts seven or more innings, with left-hander Kyle Hald (1-3) scattering eight hits over seven innings of work, striking out five and walking just one.

Virgil Hill reached second on an error by centerfielder Chevy Clarke to lead off the game. A wild pitch by Cedar Rapids' right-hander Cam Bedrosian (0-5) allowed Hill to advance to third and with Tyler Rahmatulla at the plate, a passed ball by catcher Matt Scioscia allowed Hill to score.

Cedar Rapids tied the game in the bottom of the first on a Kaleb Cowart double that scored Kevin Moesquit, who had singled to lead off the bottom of the inning.

With two outs in the third, Quad Cities scored twice. Nick Martini drew a walk, and then stole second base. Rahmatulla drew a walk and with two on, Colin Walsh drove in Martini for his 39th RBI of the year, tied for second with Cowart in the Midwest League behind only Miguel Sano of Beloit, who sits at 40. A second passed ball by Scioscia with David Medina at the plate allowed Rahmatulla to score from third. After a issuing a walk to Medina, Bedrosian was replaced by left-hander Aaron Meade.

Meade pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings in relief for Cedar Rapids, allowing one hit and striking out five.

Travis Miller came on in relief of Hald in the eighth, pitching two scoreless innings. He escaped a bases-loaded, two-out situation in the bottom of the ninth when Ryan Jones lined out to shortstop Matt Williams to end the game.

Quad Cities will open a six-game home stand with a three-game series against the Beloit Snappers Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Right-hander Sam Gaviglio (2-3) will start for Quad Cities and right-hander Tim Shibuya (2-2) will start for Beloit.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park to host the Beloit Snappers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, to begin a six-game home stand with Men in Black III Night and a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by Mix 96. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at (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.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: After four years of ballpark improvements, the River Bandits and the City of Davenport last summer unveiled some of the most impressive enhancements to Modern Woodmen Park yet. A brand new, state of the art, high definition 20' x 35' video board went live on June 7, and the newly enclosed glass Sky Deck on the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park was completed last August. Those improvements, in addition to new flood protection, a new front plaza, and a new parking lot directly across the street from the ballpark, are quickly making Modern Woodmen Park one of the premier facilities in all of Minor League Baseball. More improvements are scheduled for this coming season!