Loons swept by Quad Cities

The Quad Cities River Bandits extended their winning streak to five-games with a 5-1 victory Sunday afternoon over the Great Lakes Loons.

The Bandits struck first for an unearned run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Charley Kingery following a two-base throwing error by Loons starting pitcher Bryan Morris (0-2).

Great Lakes tied the game with an unearned run of their own in the third inning. Parker Dalton walked to lead off the inning, was sacrificed to second on an Erik Kanaby bunt, advanced to third on a wild pitch by starter Blake King, and scored when the throw to third by catcher Paul Vazquez sailed into left field.

Quad Cities took the lead for good in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by Pete Kozma scoring Adron Chambers. Osvaldo Morales added a solo home run in the fourth inning. The River Bandits added two more runs in the eighth against reliever Miguel Sanfler on consecutive RBI singles by Matt Arburr and Morales.

Morris allowed two earned runs in six innings for the loss. Quad Cities starter Blake King allowed just one hit and one unearned run in four innings, but didn’t last long enough to factor in the decision. He walked five but struck out eight. Pete Parise (1-1) pitched a scoreless fifth for the win. JD Stambaugh hurled the final four frames for the save, his first of the season.

“We’re just not swinging the bats well right now,” said Loons manager Juan Bustabad. “(Quad Cities) is a hot team and caught us at the wrong time. I think the layoff hurt us too – the off day Thursday and the rain out Friday. It took us out of our rhythm.”

After Friday’s game was canceled due to rain, the Loons faced the River Bandits in a double header Saturday. Quad Cities took the opener 6-4 before shutting out Great Lakes in the nightcap 4-0.

The Loons (11-11) fell to fourth place in their division. Great Lakes will head north for a three-game series against the Clinton Lumber Kings, who are 16-6 and tied for first in the Midwest League West. All three games in the series, Monday through Wednesday, begin at 8 p.m. The Loons return to Dow Diamond for a six-game home stand May 1-6 against Beloit and Wisconsin.