Clinton center fielder Aaron Barbosa makes run-saving catch before home team opens scoring in 3-0 win
CLINTON, Iowa (May 21, 2015) - Clinton LumberKings right-hander Zack Littell, left-hander Jarrett Brown and right-hander Kody Kerski combined to hold the Quad Cities River Bandits to a season-low three infield hits and only two batted balls that left the infield in the home team's 3-0 victory Thursday night and four-game series split at Ashford University Field.
Quad Cities (31-10) lost consecutive games for the first time since April 25-26 and did not win a series on the road for the first time this season after winning each of its first six road series. The River Bandits finished 4-3 in their longest road stretch so far this season.
In his second Midwest League start, Littell (1-0) retired the first 10 batters of the game - including five on strikeouts - until he walked River Bandits second baseman Mott Hyde with one out in the fourth inning.
Also making his second Midwest League start, River Bandits right-hander Brandon McNitt (0-1) matched Littell (1-0) for the first four innings by keeping Clinton (18-23) off the scoreboard. LumberKings center fielder Aaron Barbosa led off the first inning with a single to left-center field, stole second base and went to third base on a two-out passed ball by catcher Jacob Nottingham. But McNitt got center fielder Chantz Mack to fly out to end the inning, and Clinton did not have another hit until two outs in the fifth inning.
The River Bandits' best scoring threat came in the fifth inning. With one out, left fielder Jason Martin hit a high chopper between the pitcher's mound and first base that Littell fielded, but Martin beat him to first base for an infield single. Littell struck out designated hitter Ryan Bottger before right fielder Bobby Boyd placed a bunt single to the third-base side. Shortstop Kristian Trompiz took a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Littell fell behind first baseman Jamie Ritchie, 2-0, before Ritchie hit a slicing line drive to right-center field, where Barbosa made a run-saving, diving catch to end the inning. It was the only inning Quad Cities put a runner in scoring position.
McNitt retired the first two batters in the bottom of the inning, but left fielder Arby Fields grounded a single into right field. Fields went to second base on Barbosa's bunt single to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound and scored when third baseman Chris Mariscal lined a single to center field. McNitt pitched a career-high five innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
Following McNitt, right-hander Jose Montero retired all three batters in the sixth inning before walking designated hitter Taylor Zeutenhorst to begin the seventh inning. Catcher Daniel Torres hit a sinking line drive to right field, where Boyd slid to scoop the ball, and the relay to second base retired Zeutenhorst on a fielder's choice. After one ball to Fields, Montero did not throw another pitch and was removed from the game after an injury visit to the pitcher's mound by the coaching staff. Right-hander Aaron Greenwood entered to walk Fields and Barbosa to load the bases for Mariscal with one out. Mariscal hit the first pitch to the right-center field gap, where Fisher made the catch for the second out. Torres scored and a hustling Fields kept running from second base to score for a 3-0 Clinton lead. Montero and Greenwood were each charged with one earned run without allowing a hit.
Littell lasted six shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. Left-hander Jarrett Brown began the seventh inning with a 1-0 lead and retired all three batters. In the eighth inning with a 3-0 deficit, Boyd bunted to the first-base side for another single, but Brown got Trompiz to hit into a double play. Ritchie walked to extend his team season-high on-base streak to 20 games, but Kerski entered to strike out Hyde to end the inning. Kerski retired all three batters in the ninth inning for his fifth save. After scoring 28 runs in the first three games of the series, the River Bandits suffered their second shutout loss of the season and first since April 28.
Quad Cities opens a seven-game homestand at 7 p.m. Friday against the Peoria Chiefs. To open a four-game series, River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden (3-1), who has pitched 25 straight scoreless innings, is scheduled to face Chiefs right-hander Fernando Baez (2-2).
UP NEXT: A big Memorial Day Weekend at Modern Woodmen Park kicks off with Military Appreciation Night presented by the Iowa National Guard. The River Bandits will wear flag-themed jerseys. A silent auction of the jerseys - plus a live auction of three jerseys after the game - will benefit American Legion Post 26. Postgame Friday Fireworks are presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD. 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.
