29
Apr
2015
Top two Western Division teams go a combined 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 28, 2015) - After 10 scoreless innings Tuesday, the Cedar Rapids Kernels loaded the bases with a single and two errors in the top of the 11th inning, and Kernels third baseman T.J. White hit a sacrifice fly to right field that was the only run of a 1-0 final over the Quad Cities River Bandits in front of 2,079 at Modern Woodmen Park.
The River Bandits (13-6) committed four errors in their first loss when out-hitting an opponent this season, but they hold a one-game lead over the Kernels (12-7) in the Western Division standings. It was Quad Cities' first 1-0 loss since Game 1 of a home doubleheader last Aug. 29 against Clinton. The 1-0, extra-inning loss was the club's first since a 10-inning defeat at Kane County April 14, 2011.
In the deciding 11th inning, Kernels right fielder Zack Larson hit a leadoff single to left field against River Bandits right-hander Joe Musgrove (3-1). First baseman Trey Vavra bunted along the first-base line, where Musgrove could not cleanly pick up the ball and threw late to first base. With runners at first and second bases, designated hitter Max Murphy bunted to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, and Musgrove threw to third baseman Nick Tanielu, who was judged to have come off the base before recording a putout of Larson. Musgrove was charged with an error on both bunt plays, and with the bases loaded and no outs, White hit a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Bottger, and Larson beat the throw home for the game's only run. Musgrove retired the next two batters and finished a season-high six innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits and no walks with one strikeout.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, River Bandits left fielder Sean McMullen hit a one-out single to right field against Kernels right-hander Trevor Hildenberger, who then got second baseman Kristian Trompiz to ground into a game-ending double play. The two teams combined to leave 21 runners on base while going 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position in the game.
Cedar Rapids had the game's first scoring threat in the first inning against River Bandits left-hander Bryan Radziewski. Left fielder Zack Granite and shortstop Nick Gordon began the game with back-to-back singles, and Radziewski hit Murphy with a pitch to load the bases with two outs before getting White to ground into a fielder's choice. It was the closest Cedar Rapids came to scoring against Radziewski, who tossed five innings, allowing two hits and no walks with four strikeouts.
The River Bandits put two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first inning, as Kernels right-hander Jared Wilson walked first baseman Jamie Ritchie with one out and allowed a single by designated hitter Mott Hyde, who led Quad Cities with three hits in the game. Around a wild pitch that put both runners in scoring position, Wilson got consecutive flyouts to escape the inning. Quad Cities also put a runner at third base in the third and fourth innings. Hyde hit a third-inning, two-out double and went to third base on a wild pitch before Wilson got catcher Jacob Nottingham to fly out. McMullen hit a fourth-inning, one-out triple, but Wilson struck out Trompiz and got shortstop Thomas Lindauer to fly out. Wilson allowed four hits and four walks with two strikeouts in five innings.
Musgrove began the sixth inning and escaped scoring threats in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, White and Kelly hit back-to-back singles before Musgrove caught a bunt, leaped off the mound to field a ground ball and got a flyout to end the inning. In the eighth, Larson hit a one-out triple and tried to score on Vavra's ground ball over the mound, but Trompiz threw to Nottingham to tag out Larson.
After Wilson, Kernels right-hander Randy LeBlanc worked three shutout innings with three strikeouts, and left-hander Cam Booser (1-0) struck out three batters while escaping runners at first and second bases in both the ninth and 10th innings.
The River Bandits continue their series with Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden (1-1) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Mat Batts (2-0).
UP NEXT: The Bandits guarantee a win over Cedar Rapids, or all fans in attendance will receive a voucher for a general admission ticket for Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. against Kane County. Two lucky fans will have their bills paid up to $100 on Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by Mix 96. IHMVCU members can get Buy-One-Get-One tickets at the box office. 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.
