Bandits one-hit, open second half with loss

GRAND CHUTE, Wisc. - Two costly errors led to late unearned runs against the Quad Cities River Bandits in a 2-1 loss to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in the second-half opener Thursday night at Fox Cities Stadium. The Bandits were held to one hit in the game, their lowest hit total of the season. Jose Hernandez threw five scoreless innings for Quad Cities while Myles Straw had a sixth-inning single for the Bandits only knock of the contest.

In a scheduled tandem start, Elieser Hernandez took over for Quad Cities (0-1, 31-39) in the sixth and retired the side in order, but surrendered a leadoff infield single to start the Wisconsin (1-0, 35-36) seventh. A third pickoff attempt skidded into right field, allowing Isan Diaz to advance all the way to third. He was promptly brought home on a sacrifice fly by Jake Gatewood for the game's first run.

An error by shortstop Kristian Trompiz allowed the leadoff man to reach in the eighth inning. That would prove costly as well when Diaz singled home Alan Sharkey for an insurance run. That was all the offense in the game. Jose Hernandez struck out five Timber Rattlers in five scoreless innings, giving him 17 strikeouts over 12 scoreless innings against the Timber Rattlers in his last two outings. Hernandez has thrown 20 June innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 28. Wisconsin starter Conor Harber was even sharper Thursday, striking out a career-high seven Bandits over five hitless innings.

Also on a tandem rotation, Jake Drossner took over on the mound for Wisconsin in the sixth. He issued a two-out, line drive single to Straw for the Bandits only hit of the game. Drossner (2-5) walked one and surrendered two hits in three innings of relief. Elieser Hernandez (3-1) was charged with the two unearned runs on just two hits and a walk to suffer his first loss of the year. Nathan Griep (S, 11) pitched a perfect ninth - featuring a pair of strikeouts - to seal the Wisconsin win.