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Tampa Bay Rays prospects David Rodriguez, Kevin Padlo and Thomas Milone had their contributions to the Brisbane Bandits rewarded last night when they clinched a playoff berth in the Australian Baseball League. All three prospects had good nights at the plate as the Bandits beat the Canberra Cavalry 11-2.
Catcher David “Davo” Rodriguez brought his hit streak to 19 (every game he’s played in the ABL) by going 2-5 with a home run and a double in the clean up spot. The 20 year old now boasts a .442/.494/.753/1.247 slash through 85 plate appearances with a 7:14 BB:K ratio. This was his second night in a row with a home run, third in the last five games and sixth in the month he’s been in Australia. There is no doubt he is the hottest batter in the league right now, though his 85 PA are still not enough to qualify for the hitting title.
Third Baseman Kevin Padlo contributed to the berth by getting on base four times with a 2-3, 2 BB, K night at the plate. His .277/.367/.479/.846 slash over 135 PA is good for the 10th best performance in the league out of 42 qualified batters. The 16:17 BB:K ratio shows an impressive patience and feel for the strike zone.
Outfielder Thomas Milone added a double, single and a walk in the win as he brought his season slash to .246/.333/.395/.728 with a 14:21 BB:K ratio in 128 PA.
The Brisbane Bandits will play the first round of playoffs against the Adelaide Bite next weekend in a best of three game series. The first game will be in Adelaide on Friday at 7:30 AEDT and can be viewed at ABLtv.com.
Game 4 against the @CanberraCavalry is just under two hours away! The Bandits are ONE WIN AWAY from a playoff berth! pic.twitter.com/pieGtBxBoM
— Brisbane Bandits (@BrisbaneBandits) January 29, 2017
T1: DAVO SENDS ONE OFF THE WALL!!! Whitey and Dutton both score, and the Bandits lead 2-0!!
— Brisbane Bandits (@BrisbaneBandits) January 29, 2017
T5: DAVO GOES YARD!!!! A two-out two run home run over the centre right field wall extends the Bandits' lead, 6-1!!
— Brisbane Bandits (@BrisbaneBandits) January 29, 2017
T6: Padlo draws a leadoff walk and Tommy Milone follows with a single to right field, advancing to second on the throw! Soupy in, no outs!
— Brisbane Bandits (@BrisbaneBandits) January 29, 2017
T9: The Bandits plate TWO MORE runs in the ninth off Tommy's double to deep left field! Bandits lead 11-2!
— Brisbane Bandits (@BrisbaneBandits) January 29, 2017
Bandits win, Bandits win!! We take Game 4, 11-2, and CLINCH a playoff berth! pic.twitter.com/KFUlJX3RiH
— Brisbane Bandits (@BrisbaneBandits) January 29, 2017