14
Sep
2017
J.J. Matijevic caps five-run first with three-run homer
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The Quad Cities River Bandits rattled off five first-inning runs en route to a 6-3 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in the opener of the 2017 Midwest League Championship Series Wednesday night at Parkview Field. The Bandits now lead the series 1-0. J.J. Matijevic crushed a three-run home run with two outs in the first to cap off the inning.
The Bandits (5-2, 79-59) got an RBI ground out from Chuckie Robinson to start the scoring in the first then a two-out triple by Abraham Toro to add to the lead before a walk set up Matijevic for his blast that was estimated at 404 feet to right-center. It was Matijevic's first home run of the post-season. Fort Wayne (4-2, 68-72) got two runs back in the home first on a home run by Nate Easley.
The pitchers settled down after the first. TinCaps starter Pedro Avila went six innings and allowed six runs on seven hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts. Avila (0-1) allowed just one run after the first; a Robinson homer in the third inning. Cristian Javier went 3.2 innings for Quad Cities, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six. Jesus Balaguer (2-0) took over out of the pen and hurled three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit while striking out seven to get the win. Robert Corniel pitched the final 2.1 innings to get his second save of the playoffs.
The Bandits have a chance to take a commanding lead in the best-of-five series in game two Thursday night at Parkview Field. Patrick Sandoval (1-0, 2.70/2-2, 3.83) gets the start for Quad Cities while Fort Wayne is yet to announce a starter. The series will shift to Modern Woodmen Park for as many games necessary to decide a winner starting Saturday. Thursday's game will begin at 7:10 p.m. ET and 6:10 CT with the live radio call from Jake Levy on 1170 AM K-BOB, riverbandits.com and the TuneIn app.
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