Davenport, IA — Four Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter over 10 innings as the Bandits earned a walk-off 2-1 victory in extra frames on Thursday night against Peoria. A bases loaded wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th allowed Michael Papierski to score the winning run in front of 1,477 fans at Modern Woodmen Park.
The River Bandits reached the scoreboard in the second inning. Adrian Tovalin opened the attack by lining a single into left. He moved into scoring position when Michael Papierski worked a walk in the following at bat. Marcos Almonte capitalized by lacing an RBI ground-rule double into the left center field gap that gave the River Bandits a 1-0 lead. The hit may have scored two runs, but the ball became wedged in the padding on the outfield wall and the next two batters both struck out.
It did not take long for the Chiefs to answer back with some help from the River Bandits defense. Edwin Figuera laid down a bunt that was fielded by pitcher Parker Mushinski who unleashed a high throw to first. As the ball rolled toward the right field corner, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz stumbled on the bullpen mound which allowed the ball to get all the way to the corner. Figuera ended up at third on what was ruled a bunt single and two errors. He scored moments later on a passed ball charged to catcher Michael Papierski that evened the score 1-1.
After Peoria tied the game, the offenses went quiet and the pitching took over. At one point, 25 straight hitters in the game were retired. Neither team posted a hit between the third and ninth innings.
In the top of the tenth, Colin McKee induced a double play ball with runners on the corners and one out to escape the frame unharmed. In the bottom half, Marcos Almonte was intentionally walked and then Roman Garcia was hit in the helmet with a pitch while trying to bunt to load the bases. Thomas St. Clair’s second pitch to Cody Bohanek was in the dirt and skipped away from catcher Dennis Ortega. Papierski slid home with the decisive run.
Mushinski went 4.0 innings and allowed one unearned run, while striking out eight. Robert Corniel followed with a perfect inning and then Luis Garcia tossed 3.0 shutout frames with six strikeouts. McKee worked the ninth and tenth innings and fanned a pair.
The River Bandits (3-6) open a new series against the Burlington Bees (4-5) at Community Field in Burlington on Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. RHP Cesar Rosado (1-0, 1.04) will start for the River Bandits against Burlington RHP Jeremy Beasley (0-1, 6.00).
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV
