Bandits popped by Kernels in series opener

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- The Quad Cities River Bandits fell in their series opener, 6-2, to the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 6,656 fans at Modern Woodmen Park in the final Friday home game of the regular season. Kristian Trompiz  had three hits and Cody Bohanek  had a pair of knocks and his first MWL RBI in the loss while Lucas Williams  allowed just one run in a career-long 4.1 innings to keep the Bandits close until late.

The Bandits (39-22, 76-53) issued ten walks in the loss, leading the Bandits to lose for just the second time at home when out-hitting an opponent this season. Cedar Rapids (32-29, 71-60) used a pair of walks and two hits in the second to strike for the game's first two runs. Lewin Diaz  then homered in the third and Travis Blankenhorn  hit a solo shot in the fifth. The Kernels last two runs came after four walks and just one hit in the ninth for some late insurance.
The Bandits scored in the third when Trompiz led off with a single and later scored on a groundout by Marcos Almonte . Trompiz would score again in the seventh on a Bohanek double, giving him his first extra-base hit and RBI in the Midwest League. Trompiz reached base four times in the game on a walk and three singles. 
Nathan Thompson  (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs in 3.2 innings on five hits and four walks while striking out four. Logan Lombana  (1-2) got the win for two scoreless innings of relief after starter Charlie Barnes  allowed one run on two hits in four innings. The Bandits went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game. 
The Bandits magic number to clinch the top playoff spot in the West dropped to one thanks to a Peoria loss to Kane County Friday. The Bandits can clinch that one-seed with a win Saturday in game two of the series at Modern Woodmen Park. Cristian Javier (1-0, 2.93) gets the nod for the Bandits against Tyler Wells  (5-2, 2.27) for Cedar Rapids. Gates open at 5:35 p.m. for a 6:35 first pitch.