21
Apr
2015
Derek Fisher hits his fourth home run, while Kristian Trompiz finishes with six hits in the three-game series
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 21, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits jumped to a 3-0 lead over the Kane County Cougars in the first inning Monday night, but the visitors capitalized on three errors, two passed balls and a wild pitch to score four unearned runs and come back for an 8-6 win that spoiled the River Bandits' attempt at a series sweep in front of 919 at Modern Woodmen Park.
After River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer worked around a single for a scoreless top of the first inning, his teammates spotted him three runs against Cougars left-hander Jared Miller. Center fielder Bobby Boyd led off with a bunt single - his fifth straight game in which he has led off with a hit - and went to second base on a groundout. After left fielder Derek Fisher walked, third baseman Nick Tanielu lined an RBI single into center field, and shortstop Mott Hyde added an RBI single to left-center field. Designated hitter Ryan Bottger reached on an error by third baseman Cody Regis to load the bases, and first baseman Jacob Nottingham's RBI groundout made it 3-0.
Comer worked a perfect second inning with two strikeouts but allowed Kane County (4-8) to begin its comeback in the third inning. Designated hitter Josh Elander drew a leadoff walk, and a pickoff throw eluded Nottingham at first base, allowing Elander to reach third base. River Bandits third baseman Nick Tanielu then misplayed a ground ball by Cougars shortstop Sergio Alcantara, allowing Elander to score. A single by center fielder Colin Bray, a groundout and sacrifice fly by left fielder Grant Heyman scored Alcantara to make it 3-2.
The 3-2 lead remained until the fifth inning, when Elander hit a leadoff single and went to second base when Bray walked. That ended Comer's outing after 4 1/3 innings, bringing left-hander Chris Lee (0-1) out of the bullpen. With runners at first and second bases, a passed ball by catcher Jamie Ritchie allowed both to advance one base. A groundout by Regis brought in the tying run, and another passed ball scored the go-ahead run. The runs were charged to Comer, who yielded four - one earned - on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
Leading off the bottom of the fifth inning, Fisher quickly tied the game by launching his fourth home run of the season to right field off Miller. Tanielu then drew a walk, went to second base on a passed ball and scored after consecutive groundouts to third base by Hyde and Bottger. Miller was then removed after allowing five runs - three earned - on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
The 5-4 lead remained for Quad Citiesuntil two outs in the top of the sixth inning. With the bases empty, second baseman Fernery Ozuna singled to right field against Lee, whose wild pitch advanced Ozuna to second base. Right fielder Victor Reyes then grounded to Hyde, whose one-hop throw to first base went into the stands, allowing Ozuna to score the tying run. The Cougars took the lead for good in the seventh inning, as Bray hit a one-out single - one of his game-high three hits - to right field, and Lee hit Regis with a pitch. After Heyman grounded out, first baseman Steve McQuail grounded an infield single between Lee coming off the pitcher's mound and Ritchie coming in from his first base position, scoring Bray for the go-ahead run. Catcher Stryker Trahan followed with an RBI single to right field for a 7-5 Cougars lead. The lead increased to 8-5 in the eighth inning, when Reyes hit a leadoff single, advanced on two groundouts and scored on Bray's RBI single to center field. Lee went 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs - three earned - on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Cougars right-hander Nick Baker (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings with two hits and three strikeouts to put himself in line for the win. Left-hander Zac Curtis got the final out in the seventh inning but faced a greater threat in the eigth. A walk, error and single loaded the bases with no outs for Boyd, who grounded into a fielder's choice for an RBI. Ritchie then grounded into an inning-ending double play.
With an 8-6 lead in the ninth inning, Cougars right-hander Luis Ramirez allowed a two-out walk to Hyde, but when Bottger lifted a fly ball to shallow right field, Reyes made a diving catch to end his team's four-game losing and hand Quad Cities its first loss in six home games.
The River Bandits open a three-game series in Peoria at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dozer Park. After losing two of three games in their season-opening series with Quad Cities, the Chiefs (8-4) are tied with Cedar Rapids for second place in the Western Division.
UP NEXT: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR present the first Friday Fireworks of the season following the 7 p.m. game Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. It is also Legends of Rock Night for the opener of the six-game, seven-day homestand. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
