GENEVA, ILLINOIS (May 23, 2019) — The Quad Cities River Bandits had one more game to play before returning home to Modern Woodmen Park for the first time since April 28. The game went extra innings, but the River Bandits prevailed with a 6-3 win in 10 innings over the Kane County Cougars on Thursday night. The Bandits finished their season-long 12-game road trip with an 8-4 record.
With score knotted at two since the fifth inning, the Bandits (29-14) began the extra frame with Alex Holderbach on second base. Ramiro Rodriguez worked the count full and slapped a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Michael Wielansky gave Quad Cities the lead with a sharp single off the glove of shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. The lineup turned over after a strikeout and Austin Dennis cashed in with an RBI double that widened the gap to 4-2. The final damage came on Marty Costes’ two-run triple on a sinking line drive to right.
Humberto Castellanos allowed only the runner who started the inning at second base to score in the bottom half to close out the game. He pitched the final 2.0 innings to earn the win.
Kane County (25-22) moved in front 2-0 in the bottom half of the second inning. River Bandits starter Jose Bravo had retired the first five batters of the game before Perdomo reached on a bunt single with two down. The following batter, Joe Gillette, smacked a two-run home run just over the left field wall to put the Cougars on top. It was the third home run for Gillette in the series.
The River Bandits evened the score with some help from the Kane County defense in the top of the fifth inning. Trey Dawson opened the inning with a single to left and raced around to third on an ensuing single from Rodriguez. After Rodriguez stole second base, Wielansky struck out swinging, but strike three squirted through the legs of the catcher and allowed Dawson to score from third. With runners remaining on the corners, Jackson Goddard’s pick-off throw toward first bounced away and Rodriguez also raced home to tie the game.
Rodriguez and Costes each collected two hits in the game. Costes finished the four-game series with eight runs batted in.
Bravo worked the first 6.0 innings on the mound, striking out five and scattering just three hits. Devin Conn was the first man out of the pen and also turned in 2.0 scoreless, hitless, innings with five strikeouts. The three Bandits pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.
The River Bandits will return to Modern Woodmen Park to host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP R.J. Freure (2-1, 3.38) will take the hill for the Bandits against Wisconsin’s LHP Scotty Sunitsch (2-4, 3.92). The River Bandits will be wearing special jerseys as a tribute to Veterans which will be auctioned after the game to benefit the QC Veteran’s Outreach Center. There will also be a post-game fireworks show.
Quad Cities (R-H-E): 6-7-0
Kane County (R-H-E): 3-3-3
Win: Castellanos (3-0)
Loss: Pimentel (2-3)
Save:
HR: Quad Cities: None
HR: Kane County: Joe Gillette (2, 4th inning, 0 on base)
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
