Bandits shut out Cougars for first win of 2012
Hernandez (1-0) was sharp in five scoreless innings, as he struck out six Cougars while scattering five hits without walking a batter. Quad Cities pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts on the night and no walks.
Neither team scored until the bottom of the third, when the River Bandits (1-1) took advantage of a two-out error by Cougars second baseman Daniel Mateo and scored when Colin Walsh beat a throw to second by shortstop Orlando Calixte and gave Bandits left fielder Anthony Garcia an RBI on the fielder's choice.
Defensive lapses came back to haunt the Cougars (1-1) more in the fourth. After Juan Castillo's second single of the night, Matt Williams drew a walk to chase starter Edwin Carl (0-1). Left-hander Scott Alexander took over with two on and one out and advanced both runners with a wild pitch. Calixte couldn't get a handle on a sharp ground ball by Nick Martini, which allowed Castillo to score.
With two outs, another Alexander wild pitch brought home Williams. Quad Cities right fielder David Medina then drew a walk and stole second, which allowed Martini to score when Calixte cut off a throw from catcher Edul Escobar and fired it back past Escobar at the plate. Garcia doubled to drive in Medina and make it 5-0. Two more runs scored on a throwing error by third baseman Michael Antonio on a ball hit by his counterpart Tyler Rahmatulla.
Three errors and 10 batters in the six-run inning gave the River Bandits a 7-0 lead.
Quad Cities reliever Brandon Creath pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh. Logan Billbrough struck out the side in the eighth, and Heath Wyatt struck out two batters in the ninth, including Calixte to end the game.
The River Bandits and Cougars will conclude Opening Weekend at 7 p.m. Saturday night, as Cougars right hander Kellen Moen faces Bandits right hander Todd McInnis.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits host the Kane County Cougars Saturday night at 7 p.m. Prior to the game presented by 101.3 KISS-FM at Modern Woodmen Park, kids are invited to take part in the Nintendo Wii-ster Egg Hunt presented by Video Games Etc! on the field. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and Wii-ster Egg Hunt participants should meet in the Party Plaza at 6 p.m. It's also a Thirst-day with $2 drink specials at the ballpark. Magnet schedules will also be given away courtesy of Riddle's Jewelry. Get your tickets now to watch the River Bandits in 2012. 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!