River Bandits handle Cougars

DAVENPORT, Iowa — The Quad Cities River Bandits banged out 10 hits on their way to a convincing 6-2 victory over the Kane County Cougars on Wednesday night at Modern Woodmen Park.

Quad Cities (63-64, 28-30) didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first against Tim Melville (0-1) as Nick Longmire blasted a leadoff homer to tie the game at 1-1.

After consecutive two-out singles from Anthony Melchionda and David Medina, Anthony Garcia punched a basehit to left, scoring Melchionda to put the River Bandits on top.

In the second, the Cougars (63-65, 29-29) picked up their second unearned tally in as many innings. Jack Lopez scored in the first on an error by pitcher Dail Villanueva. Kenny Swab reached with two outs in the second on a poor throw to first by third baseman Stephen Piscotty. Tim Ferguson hammered a double down the left field line, bringing Swab across all the way from first base.

Villanueva worked through seven innings and didn’t allow another run. The Cougars only picked up two hits after the third inning. Quad Cities grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the second when Piscotty singled home Longmire. Garcia cracked a homer off Jason Mitchell in the third while the River Bandits picked up a pair in the fifth on a Danny Mateo throwing error, finishing the scoring.

The Cougars are at Modern Woodmen Park on Thursday night when they battle the River Bandits at 7:00. You can listen to the broadcast on www.kccougars.com, beginning with Cougars on Deck at 6:45 p.m. Right-hander Kyle Smith (4-1) will start for the Cougars against fellow righty Boone Whiting (0-0). The Cougars return to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Saturday, August 25, when they host the Burlington Bees at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, please call (630) 232-8811 or visit www.kccougars.com.

Wayne Randazzo

Radio Broadcaster

Kane County Cougars

(630) 901-2772