Troy Scribner tosses shutout for a career-high 7 1/3 innings before yielding three-run homer
GENEVA, Ill. (August 14, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Troy Scribner had a team season high 10 strikeouts and 1-0 lead through seven innings Thursday, but he allowed three hits - including a three-run home run by center fielder Trey Martin - in Kane County's four-run eighth inning that lifted the Cougars to a 4-1 victory and third straight comeback win at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
In his second Midwest League start, Scribner (0-2) retired the first 14 batters of the game - including seven on strikeouts - before Cougars third baseman Chesny Young singled to center field with two outs in the fifth inning. Scribner also allowed a two-out triple by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. in the sixth inning, but kept Kane County (32-20 second half, 77-45 overall) without a run through the first seven innings. Scribner became the first River Bandit pitcher with 10 strikeouts since Mike Hauschild struck out 10 Clinton batters June 30, 2013.
Cougars right-hander Duane Underwood matched Scribner for the first five innings, allowing three hits and four walks with four strikeouts. In the second inning, Quad Cities (25-27, 60-61) got a leadoff single by first baseman A.J. Reed, who went to third base after a walk and groundout. He was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice.
In the third inning, right fielder James Ramsay extended his season-high eight-game hitting streak with a single to right field and stole second base with center fielder Bobby Boyd batting. Boyd walked, and Ramsay and Boyd stole third and second base, respectively, with designated hitter Chase McDonald at the plate. Ramsay's two stolen bases made him the first Quad Cities player with 28 in a season since Matt Lemanczyk stole 48 bases in 2005.
After McDonald walked, Underwood struck out Reed and third baseman J.D. Davis to end the inning. Underwood allowed a leadoff single by left fielder Ryan Bottger in the fourth inning, but Bottger was caught stealing, and Underwood induced a double play to end the inning.
Right-hander Zak Hermans relieved Underwood to start the sixth inning in a scoreless game. Reed drew a one-out walk and went to third base on a wild pitch, before Davis hit an RBI single to right field to extend his seven-game hitting streak and give Quad Cities a 1-0 lead. A throwing error allowed Davis to reach third base, but Hermans escaped the inning and worked around a hit in the seventh inning as well.
In the pivotal bottom of the eighth inning, Young placed a leadoff double down the right-field line. After right fielder Jeffrey Baez lined out to first base, shortstop Carlos Penalver grounded an infield single behind second base to put runners at first and third bases. Martin then hit an 0-1 pitch out to left field for his second home run of the season and a 3-1 Cougars lead. Scribner was removed after a career-high 7 1/3 innings, in which he allowed three earned runs on five hits without a walk. Left-hander Jordan Mills then entered for his Midwest League debut and allowed a walk by Dunston and two-out RBI double by catcher Victor Caratini. In each of the three games of the series, the Cougars took the lead for good with a four-run inning. Kane County won the final seven games of the two teams' regular season series.
Cougars right-hander Jasvir Rakkar (1-0) worked a scoreless eighth inning around a walk and ninth inning around a single to earn the win.
Quad Cities opens a three-game home series against Burlington at 7 p.m. Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (3-4) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Alex Blackford (1-3).
UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
