Paulino, Bandits bullpen combine to shut out Bees
BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 24, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits starter David Paulino pitched 6 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, striking out six and allowing three hits and three walks, and a two-out rally in the first inning capped by an RBI single by designated hitter Ramon Laureano was all the team needed in a 1-0 win over the Burlington Bees Friday night at Community Field.
Paulino (3-2) has shut out the opponent in all three of his wins with Quad Cities (17-12 second half, 62-35 overall), and has not allowed a run in five of his seven starts between Quad Cities and Short Season Class-A Tri-City this year. Prior to Friday, he pitched seven scoreless innings in his latest start Sunday against Cedar Rapids. Zach Davis, who was called up Friday from Tri-City, pitched one inning in his Midwest League debut, and Eric Peterson went the final 1 1/3 innings for his fifth save of the season.
The River Bandits shut out Burlington (11-18, 46-52) by a 1-0 score for the second time at Community Field this season and pitched their 10th shutout of the season - the most for the club since pitching 11 shutouts in 2010.
With two outs in the top of the first inning, shortstop Alex Bregman drew a walk on five pitches from Bees starter Justin Anderson (6-8). All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a base hit to right field that advanced Bregman to third. With runners on the corners, Laureano looped a ball into right that dropped in front of All-Star right fielder Natanael Delgado, scoring the first and only run of the game.
The Bees had one man reach base in each of the first four innings against Paulino, including the leadoff batter in both the first and third, but solid pitching and great defense, including a diving catch in left-center field by center fielder Bobby Boyd helped keep Burlington off of the board. The Bees' best threat came in the fifth inning against Paulino after Delgado singled up the middle for the Bees' first hit. Center fielder Ayendy Perez reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second base with Burlington second baseman Tim Arakawa batting. After Arakawa struck out, shortstop Jake Yacinich reached on an infield single, advancing Perez to third and putting runners on the corners with two down, but Paulino struck out left fielder Trever Allen to end the opportunity.
Burlington had one last chance in the ninth inning, starting with a leadoff single by third baseman Zach Houchins, who was lifted for pinch-runner Erick Salcedo. Designated hitter Trevor Gretzky was able to bunt Salcedo into scoring position with one out. After catcher Wade Wass struck out looking, with Delgado hitting, Salcedo was able to steal third, but Delgado struck out swinging to end the game.
The series continues Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. as River Bandits right-hander Elieser Hernandez (0-0, 0.00) will oppose Burlington right-hander Austin Robichaux (7-4, 3.43).
UP NEXT: Vote now until Monday for the Quad Cities River Bandits in the Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards. The River Bandits are up for Best Entertainment Venue, Best Family Entertainment, Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party, and Best Place to Take Out of Town Guest. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: With the installation of the Ferris Wheel, the River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931, and this year the club is matching that effort by opening three new areas. A two-tiered special group deck immediately behind and overlooking the corn field opened in June. A new 11,000-square-foot concourse expansion down the third-base line will open in July. Finally, the club is expanding the children's play area by an additional 5,500 square feet down the right-field line. New rides will be announced upon completion of these new areas.