DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 19, 2019) — The Dayton Dragons became the first Eastern Division team to take a series from the Quad Cities River Bandits with a 7-1 in the rubber match on Friday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Two Dayton pitchers combined to limit the River Bandits to just one unearned run on two hits.
Quad Cities (15-11, 58-34) was actually the team that got off to a quick start, taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Dennis opened the game by working an 11-pitch walk-off of Dayton starter Adrian Rodriguez. Dennis stole second and later advanced to third base on a throwing error by catcher Pabel Manzanero. A sacrifice-fly off the bat of Ramiro Rodriguez put the Bandits in front 1-0.
From that point forward, it was all Dayton (13-14, 41-56). The Dragons tied the game in the top of the second inning, with an RBI single to center-field from Jay Schuyler. An unearned run in the third would push them to a 2-1 lead. Randy Ventura opened the frame with a single against Bandits starter Jose Bravo. A throwing-error by Dennis at third with two outs allowed Ventura to score.
The Dragons pounded a couple of big home-runs to extend their advantage in the sixth. Mariel Bautista launched his seventh of the season to start the inning and expand the lead to 3-1. Following a double and a walk, Miguel Hernandez also connected on a long-ball to left-field and the lead grew to 6-1. One final run came across in the Dayton eighth when, after a balk by reliever Luis De Paula, Ventura beat out a slow-roller to short to drive in Cameron Warren from third.
Freudis Nova extended his hit streak to six games with a triple down the third base line for one of the Bandits two hits. Dayton received multiple hits from Warren, Schuyler and Ventura.
Bandits starter Jose Bravo took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned, on eight hits. Out of the bullpen, Luis De Paula surrendered one run on three hits.
The River Bandits open a new series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Saturday night at 6:35PM. The first 1,500 fans will receive a Colby Lopez bobblehead doll. Quad Cities will have RHP Lupe Chavez (0-0, 2.25) on the mound against Hot Rods RHP Alan Strong (6-4, 3.31).
Dayton (R-H-E): 7-11-1
Quad Cities (R-H-E): 1-2-1
Win: Rodriguez (5-2)
Loss: Bravo (1-3)
Save: D’Andrea (3)
HR: Dayton: Mariel Bautista (7, 6th inning, 0 on base), Miguel Hernandez (3, 6thinning, 2 on base)
HR: Quad Cities: None
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
