Bandits Take Step Toward Playoff Berth with 3-0 Win

(Rich Guill)

June 15, 2018

The Quad Cities River Bandits shut out the Burlington Bees and took a big step toward securing a playoff berth in a 3-0 win on Friday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The victory was the eighth shutout of the season for the pitching staff which has them tied with South Bend for the most in the league. The Bandits are assured of ending the night in a first place tie at worst.
The River Bandits were able to get off to a good start by scoring in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Miguelangel Sierra reached on a fielding error by shortstop Julio Garcia. Bryan De La Cruz followed by lining a single into center field to put two on with two outs. That set the stage for Colton Shaver, who came through by rolling a base hit up the middle to score a run. De La Cruz was thrown out trying to advance to third on the play to end the inning.
Quad Cities was on the attack again to expand the lead in the sixth. Sierra opened the frame by dropping a base hit into center field. De La Cruz followed by splitting the gap with a triple to the wall, scoring Sierra in the process. The next hitter, Chandler Taylor, hit a groundball to first that resulted in De La Cruz getting stuck in a rundown between third and home plate. After breaking for the plate, De La Cruz scored when the catcher, Harrison Wenson, had the throw home bounce off of his mitt for an error. The miscue increased the advantage to 3-0.

Starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval threw the first 4.0 innings, allowing no runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. He has allowed just one earned run over his last 38.0 innings on the mound. Peter Solomon followed with 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four to secure the win. Humberto Castellanos picked up his first save of the season by firing 2.0 scoreless innings to close the door.
The River Bandits finished with six hits. De La Cruz led the way with two.
The River Bandits (38-30) and Bees (30-37) meet once again in game two of the series on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park. The River Bandits will turn to RHP Jairo Solis (0-3, 5.23) as the starting pitcher against Burlington RHP Oliver Ortega (2-2, 3.80).
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.