Bandits take one from the Bite
Brisbane remains in playoff contention after taking second game of the five-game set
ADELAIDE, SA -
The Brisbane Bandits benefited from some timely hits, as well as costly errors from the Adelaide Bite to take down the home team by a score of 9-4 at Coopers Stadium in Round 11 of Australian Baseball League action on Friday night.
The Bandits opened up the scoring in the second. Wade Dutton hit his third home run of the year, a two-out solo shot to put Brisbane on the board.
The early lead didn't last long however, as Adelaide came back with one of its own in the bottom of the inning. James Jones hit his seventh long ball of the season, knotting the game at one.
In the third inning, the Bandits were the beneficiaries of some luck and several misplays by the Bite. Brisbane capitalized for six runs in the frame on a total of five hits, a passed ball, an error, a wild pitch and two dropped fly balls. Josh Roberts and Brad Dutton each notched an RBI in the inning, and Matt Roxburgh drove in two runs.
The visitors added to their total again in the fourth. Alan Schoenberger reached first on another Bite error and was driven in after a double from Roberts and a sacrifice fly from David Sutherland. The double was the 15th of the season for the right fielder, giving him the league lead and matching the ABL's season leader from last year.
That was the end of the night for Adelaide starter Paul Mildren. Mildren (4-3) got through 3 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs (three earned) on seven hits, walking two batters and striking out four. He was taken out of the game in favour of Derek Miramontes.
Sean Jarrett appeared to get into some trouble in the fourth. Brisbane's reliever-turned-starter allowed a double to Denny Almonte to open the frame. Calvin Anderson followed with a home run, his ninth of the season. James Jones then reached first on a bunt single and came around to score on a double from Scott Gladstone.
It seemed a visit to the mound from pitching coach Gary Nilsson was all Jarrett needed, as the American right-hander retired the next three batters to get out of the inning. But some damage was done, as the Bite cut the Bandits lead in half, bringing the score to 8-4.
Jarrett (3-2) went six innings in total, giving up four earned runs, scattering nine hits and striking out four. The righty's transition to the starting rotation from the bullpen has been a very successful one for the Bandits, as he's gone six innings in both of his starts, and helped his team to two victories.
Rhys Niit came on in relief for Brisbane and threw three scoreless innings to finish out the game and collect his second save of the year.
Prior to the ABL action on Friday night, Brisbane's General Manager got back on the field, taking part in a special Legends Game event. Paul Gonzalez played third base and was the only legend to hit a home run on the night.
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Brisbane Bandits
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Andrew Campbell DH 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .286
Ryan Battaglia C 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 .194
Andrew Campbell has struck out six times in his last two ballgames.