Mickey McDonald's RBI single over the outstretched glove of third baseman Adrian Tovalin was the difference on Thursday night at Modern Woodmen Park as the Beloit Snappers knocked off the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-2. The game was the first of the second half for both clubs.The River Bandits were
Mickey McDonald's RBI single over the outstretched glove of third baseman Adrian Tovalin was the difference on Thursday night at Modern Woodmen Park as the Beloit Snappers knocked off the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-2. The game was the first of the second half for both clubs.
The River Bandits were the first team to get on the board, breaking through in the fourth inning. Bryan De La Cruz opened the frame by reaching on an infield single to the left side. He stole second base and was joined on the basepaths moments later when Adrian Tovalin walked. Chandler Taylor also worked a base on balls to load the bases with two outs. Logan Mattix lined a single up the middle into center field to score a pair and put the River Bandits in front 2-0.
Beloit reached the scoreboard in reliever Cesar Rosado's first inning out of the bullpen. JaVon Shelby led off with a triple to center field that beat the Bandits shift. He scored moments later on Nick Allen's infield single to short to cut the lead in half.
The top of the seventh inning began with Colton Shaver misplaying a bouncer off the bat of Allen at first base. He moved to second on Mickey McDonald's base hit and raced to third on a groundout by Trace Loehr. Austin Beck followed with a groundball of his own to third. The Bandits settled for one out on the play and Allen scampered home to even the score at 2-2.
In the top of the ninth, Shelby opened the frame with a single back through middle off of Willy Collado. He proceeded to steal second base and moved to third on a throwing error by catcher Michael Papierski. After Collado struck out Allen, McDonald floated his decisive hit down the left field line to drive in Shelby.
The River Bandits were limited to six hits in the contest. McDonald, Shelby, and Allen each had two hits for the Snappers who finished with ten.
Leovanny Rodriguez tossed 4.0 shutout innings as the starter, during which he struck out eight and allowed four hits. Rosado worked 4.0 innings of his own and surrendered two runs, one earned, on four hits. Collado allowed one run on two hits in the final frame.
The River Bandits (0-1, 40-31) and Snappers (1-0, 33-37) will resume their four-game series with the second game on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. There will be post-game fireworks presented by Smart Toyota and a River Bandits pint glass giveaway.
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
