Strong Pitching Helps Bandits Split Doubleheader

Davenport, Iowa – After another day of strong pitching performances, the Quad Cities River Bandits split a doubleheader matchup against the Great Lakes Loons on Saturday at Modern Woodmen Park.

After dropping the first game 1-0, Quad Cities’ starter Adrian Alcantara tossed a 7.0-inning complete game shutout in a 7-0 game-two victory. The Bandits’ right-hander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before a one-out single from Alex De Jesus ended his bid. Alcantara ended the night allowing two hits, walking two, and striking out seven.

His outing was backed by a Bandits offense that came to life after scoring just one run over games three and four. The Quad Cities’ bats were held scoreless in their previous 16 innings at the plate before breaking out with a six-run third inning, chasing Loons’ starter Lael Lockhart from the game after 2.1 innings. A trio of two-run doubles from Herard Gonzalez, Kale Emshoff, and Dillan Shrum put the Bandits up 6-0.

The Bandits tacked on another run after an RBI single from Juan Carlos Negret in the bottom of the sixth to push their lead 7-0. The hit extended Negret’s hit streak to eight games.

In game one, Quad Cities’ starter Rylan Kauffman (1-5, 4.88 ERA) took the loss after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while walking two and striking out seven. The lone run from Great Lakes came on a solo homer from Jose Ramos.

Offensively, the Bandits were held in check throughout the game by Loons’ starter Nick Nastrini who picked up the win after tossing 5.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out eight. Quad Cities managed just three singles and a double by Emshoff, en route to a 1-0 shutout loss.

Bandits’ reliever Ruben Ramirez pitched the final 2.0 scoreless innings of game one and did not allow a base runner.

In the last three games of the series, Bandits pitchers have held the Great Lakes offense to just three runs across 23 innings. The Loons have scored the third most-runs in the Midwest League this season.

Quad Cities looks to win their second game of the series in Sunday’s finale when they send right-hander Charlie Neuweiler (6-5, 4.61) to the mound against Great Lakes righty Robbie Peto (5-0, 3.38 ERA). First pitch between the River Bandits and Loons is scheduled for 1:00pm at Modern Woodmen Park.