CASTILLO LEADS BANDITS TO SHUTOUT WIN
Quad Cities (31-30, 64-61) combined their victory with a loss by Cedar Rapids to pull to within three games of the Kernels in the race for the second-half wild card spot in the Midwest League-West. Although Wisconsin (21-40, 52-75) out-hit the River Bandits on Saturday, two of Quad Cities' four hits were homers while just one of the Timber Rattlers' knocks came before the seventh inning.
Castillo (7-4) dominated from the start, striking out a career-high eight and giving up just two hits over seven shutout frames. After allowing only two baserunners to reach base through the first five innings, the 18-year-old from Venezuela induced a pair of double play balls to battle through the sixth and seventh. Both hits against him came off the bat of Edilio Colina, who went 3-for-4 with a double in the seventh that marked the only time Castillo allowed a Timber Rattler to reach scoring position.
Meanwhile, the River Bandits reached the scoreboard with a run in the second. Curt Smith was hit by a one-out pitch to start the rally while a single by Domnit Bolivar and a walk to Ross Oeder loaded the bases. Roberto Espinoza drove home a run with a sacrifice fly to left-center, giving Quad Cities an early 1-0 lead.
That score remained until the River Bandits added a pair of longballs in the middle innings.
With two outs and the bases empty in the fourth, Bolivar turned on the first pitch he saw and launched his sixth homer of the year to push the advantage to 2-0. One inning later Tommy Pham hit a towering two-run blast the other way, clearing the right field fence to double the lead and make it a 4-0 ballgame.
After Castillo's seven impressive innings, Jared Bradford worked the final two frames out of the bullpen. The Cardinals' 18th-round pick out of Louisiana State this June struck out four over two scoreless frames to close the door.
Keith Meyer (2-5) took the loss in the spot start, making his 41st appearance but second start of year. He struck out six and allowed just three hits over five frames, but two of the three hits left the yard as he was touched for four runs.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits finish off a four-game series in Wisconsin against the Timber Rattlers on Sunday before heading to Burlington for a four-game set at Community Field starting Monday. They will return to Modern Woodmen Park to finish the 2008 regular season with a Labor Day weekend series against Wisconsin beginning August 29. Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!