MILLER LEADS BANDITS TO SERIES OPENING WIN

Shelby Miller (1-0) set the tone for the River Bandits by striking out a career high 13 batters over seven shutout innings while allowing only two hits as the River Bandits went on to take the first game of the postseason 4-0 over the Kane County Cougars. Murphy Smith was nearly as dominate for the Cougars, but the Bandits were able to scratch a run across against him to put Miller in line for the win.

The Bandits put their first run on the board in the fourth inning. Colin Walsh singled with one out and advanced around to third on a wild pitch. The River Bandits took advantage when Devin Goodwin singled Walsh home to put Quad Cities up 1-0.

Quad Cities struck again to make it 2-0 in the seventh. Freddy Parejo singled home Alan Ahmady and that's all they would get until adding a pair of insurance runs in the ninth.

Robert Stock hit a solo home run in the ninth before Luis Mateo tripled and scored later on a Ross Smith single.

Miller earned the win but Dan Calhoun and Jose Rada each pitched scoreless innings. Rada allowed one hit which was the third and final hit of the game for the Cougars. Smith (0-1) took the loss despite allowing just one run on four hits with six strikeouts over six innings.

The series will head back to the Quad Cities on Thursday when the River Bandits look to sweep the best-of-three series with Kane County. The River Bandits will send right-hander Michael Blazek to the mound against Cougar righty Jonathan Joseph.