[bandits2009]

Bandits lose, pitching staff in state of flux

Quad-Cities ended its longest homestand of the season Monday with a resounding thud and with a pitching staff in transition.

A collection of four Fort Wayne pitchers combined to strike out 13 River Bandits in a 7-4 Midwest League win over Quad-Cities at Modern Woodmen Park.

The River Bandits' fifth loss in six games ended a 4-6 homestand and came as starting pitcher Josh Wilson walked away from the team and bullpen closer Casey Mulligan earned a promotion to high-A Palm Beach.

Wilson, a second-round selection of the Cardinals in 2005, earned the victory in Saturday's 9-6 win over the TinCaps but left the ballpark immediately after a shaky three-inning outing. Two of the four hits allowed by the right-hander came on back-to-back homers that were among four runs he allowed.

"Leaving during a game is not allowed, but nobody has heard from him since," Quad-Cities manager Steve Dillard said. "This is the second time he has quit on us."

Wilson underwent shoulder surgery between stints on the Quad-Cities pitching staff in 2006 and 2008.

He went 1-5 in 15 appearances for the River Bandits a year ago, but left the team in late July, citing off-field personal problems and lingering health issues that he had not disclosed to team medical personnel.

The Cardinals talked Wilson out of retiring at that time, giving him the option to return home, get healthy and re-join the organization at spring training this year.

He took that route and joined Quad-Cities from extended spring training on May 8. He made four appearances for the River Bandits and Saturday's win was his first decision although the Tyler, Texas, native had an earned run average of 6.61.

"We've had several of the guys try to get in touch with him, but he hasn't returned anybody's calls," Dillard said. "He didn't say a word. I feel bad for him. We don't know exactly what is going on in his life right now. Hopefully he can get everything worked out."

[Brian34Cook]

Strange maybe they should wait and see whats going on with him but theres a time you have to give up on someone..

FARMNIK REPORT: One of the teen sensations who has been aggressively promoted from the Cardinals’ Latin America endeavors authored his finest start of the season Tuesday. Righthander Richard Castillo, not yet 20, got a no decision after his seven innings and five strikeouts for High-A Palm Beach against Daytona. He allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks. Castillo has good pop and some late movement on his fastball and has often showed a plus command of his breaking ball - especially for his age. Closer Adam Reifer got the victory in relief when Francisco Rivera grounded into a force out that scored the tying run and then became an error that allowed Shane Peterson to score as the winning run, 3-2. … Colt Sedbrook, starting at third base, went 3-for-3 with two runs scored in the win. … Charles Cutler had his fifth multi-hit game in his past 10 games, going 2-for-3 for Low-A Quad Cities in a 8-4 loss. Cutler is 17-for-40 in his past 10 games (hitting .425). He has eight RBIs in that span, but only one of his 17 hits has been for extra bases (a double). … Scott McGregor allowed three runs on five hits in his 1 2/3 innings; he came in relief of starter Arquimedes Nieto, who walked two, gave up seven hits and allowed five runs (all earned) in four innings. … Blake Hawksworth got rocked late in his start at Portland. The righthander collapsed in the sixth inning, allowing four of the six runs (five earned) he gave up total. Portland hit two homers of Hawksworth (4-4, 3.93). … Tyler Greene, in his second game back with Class AAA Memphis, went 2-for-4, started at shortstop and batted second. He drove in one of Memphis’ two runs in a 7-2 loss. Brett Wallace went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

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