03
May
2016
Abreu strikes out career-high nine batters in series opening loss to Great Lakes
MIDLAND, Mich. -- One first inning run was all Albert Abreu surrendered while striking out nine hitters in six innings, but he was the losing pitcher in the Quad Cities River Bandits eventual 4-0 loss to the Great Lakes Loons on a chilly Monday night at Dow Diamond. Aaron Mizell had a pair of hits and the Bandits stranded nine base runners in the game, four of which in scoring position.
It was the second time the River Bandits (10-14) have been shut out this season. The only time Great Lakes (8-14) got to Abreu was a groundball single in the first by Matt Jones, which plated a run after a hit batter and walk. Jones would drive in three of the four Loons runs in the game. Abreu (0-3), meanwhile, returned to top-prospect form the rest of the way, at one point striking out five straight hitters. He allowed one run on one hit and three walks with the nine strikeouts, but took the loss.
Isaac Anderson (2-0) scattered four hits and a pair of walks over five scoreless innings to get the win. Three relievers combined for the final four shutout innings. The Loons used seven singles over the seventh and eighth frames to add insurance, capped off by a two-run knock by Jones. All eight of the Great Lakes hits in the game were singles, with seven coming off of reliever Jacob Dorris.
The Bandits left Modern Woodmen Park at 7:00 a.m. CT on Monday, arriving straight to Dow Diamond for the game. They'll rest up and look to even the series on Tuesday in the middle contest of the three-game set. Jose Hernandez (0-1, 5.40) takes the mound for the Bandits against Dennis Santana (0-3, 2.12) for the Loons. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT and you can join Jake Levy for the radio broadcast, beginning with the LLOYD Agencies Pregame Show at 5:50 on K-BOB 1170 AM in the Quad Cities and everywhere on riverbandits.com and the TuneIn app.****
