15 Jul 2014

RATTLERS BLAST BANDITS TO WIN SEASON SERIES

By Marco LaNave

Wisconsin wins third straight over Quad Cities to take first season series since 2008

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (July 14, 2014) - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers designated hitter Clint Coulter hit a grand slam to cap a five-run fourth inning that lifted the home team to a third straight win over the Quad Cities River Bandits and 8-4 victory in the four-game series finale at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Monday afternoon.

Center fielder Johnny Davis had four singles for Wisconsin (13-11 second half, 49-44 overall), which won nine of 16 regular-season games against Quad Cities (12-12, 47-46) to take the season series for the first time since 2008, when Wisconsin won eight of 14 games. The River Bandits have lost three straight games for the first time in the second half after allowing 35 runs on 46 hits in the four-game series.

Quad Cities was the first team to score Monday for the only time in the four-game series. First baseman Chase McDonald drove his sixth home run of the season to right-center field off right-hander Barrett Astin (6-4) for a 1-0 lead. Wisconsin answered in the next half-inning against left-hander Blaine Sims (1-2), who allowed two walks and a two-out game-tying double by timber Rattlers catcher Paul Eshleman.

In a 1-1 tie in the third inning, Davis hit his second inning-opening single to left field, went to second base on a balk, advanced to third base on a groundout and scored on right fielder Michael Ratterree's single through the left side for a 2-1 Wisconsin lead.

The Timber Rattlers' big fourth inning began with three straight one-out singles by Eshleman, shortstop Steven Halcomb and Davis to load the bases. Second baseman Chris McFarland popped out to second base for the second out, but Ratterree drew a full-count walk to force in a run, making it 3-1. Sims got behind Coulter, 3-0, and worked back to a 3-2 count, before Coulter lifted his 14th home run down the left-field line, extending Wisconsin's lead to 7-1. For a second straight day, the Timber Rattlers had at least nine batters in an inning. In his second Midwest League start, Sims allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks with two strikeouts in the first four innings.

Quad Cities left-hander Chris Lee started the fifth inning, and he kept the deficit to 7-1 until third baseman Taylor Brennan drove his 11th home run of the season off the scoreboard in left-center field for an 8-1 Wisconsin lead. It was the only run in 1 2/3 innings against Lee, who was replaced by left-hander Chris Cotton after the home run. Cotton allowed a single and two walks to pitch 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Meanwhile, Astin scattered four hits and a walk through the first six innings. In the seventh inning, he walked third baseman Tyler White, and designated hitter Brian Holberton singled for his second hit of the game. McDonald grounded into a double play, but left fielder Marc Wik drew a walk, and catcher Brett Booth hit his third home run of the season to right field, cutting the deficit to 8-4. White, who earlier extended a hitting streak to six games, scored a run for the seventh straight game to set a new mark by a River Bandit this season. Astin allowed four earned runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts, while finishing seven innings for the third time this season to earn his first win since May 25.

Wisconsin left-hander Clint Terry struck out four batters around one hit in the final two scoreless innings. The only hit came on a double by McDonald, who has a three straight two-hit games in a five-game hitting streak and five multi-hit games in July.

Quad Cities begins a stretch of 12 games against Eastern Division teams with the opener of a three-game home series at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Fort Wayne. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (4-3) is scheduled to face TinCaps right-hander Yimmi Brasoban (0-4).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits open a six-game homestand with Eastern Division opponents at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association and Epic Stone Night and a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank, CBS WHBF and Mix 96. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
14 Jul 2014

RATTLERS USE 7-RUN 3RD INNING TO ROUT BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities allows season-high 13 runs, as eight players score and seven drive in runs for Wisconsin

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (July 13, 2014) - Wisconsin second baseman Chris McFarland led off a seven-run third inning Sunday with a triple and capped it with a two-run single in a four-hit day, while eight Timber Rattlers contributed to the largest run total against the Quad Cities River Bandits in more than a year, resulting in a 13-4 win for the home team at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

A day after losing an 8-1 lead before pulling out a 9-8 win, Wisconsin (12-11 second half, 48-44 overall) built an 8-0 lead in the first three innings. Eight Timber Rattlers scored a run, seven had a hit, and seven had an RBI, including five who drove in two. Quad Cities (12-11, 47-45) was only outhit, 14-13, but committed four errors and allowed its most runs since a 14-5 loss at Cedar Rapids on June 5, 2013.

For a third straight game, the Timber Rattlers were first on the scoreboard. Third baseman Taylor Brennan began the second inning by reaching on an error by shortstop Dayne Parker, went to second base on a passed ball by catcher Jake Rodriguez and scored on a two-out double by shortstop Steven Halcomb off right-hander Edison Frias (5-5).

McFarland began his team's huge third inning with a triple to right-center field. Right fielder Michael Ratterree walked, and catcher Clint Coulter hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Brennan doubled to right-center field, sending Ratterree to third base. First baseman Rafael Neda made it 4-0 with a two-run single to center field and went to second base on the throw. After a passed ball put Neda at third, he scored on left fielder Omar Garcia's single for a 5-0 lead. Garcia stole second base and Frias hit designated hitter Jose Pena with a pitch. After Frias struck out Halcomb, center fielder Johnny Davis reached on an error by Parker at second base, scoring Garcia for a 6-0 lead and moving Pena to third base. Frias was removed for right-hander Tyler Brunnemann, who gave up McFarland's two-run single for an 8-0 deficit. The 11-batter inning tied the longest by a Quad Cities opponent this season. Frias was charged with eight runs - three earned - in 2 2/3 innings.

Timber Rattlers right-hander Zach Quintana (3-4) worked around two hits and two walks in the first three innings. In the fourth inning, River Bandits third baseman Tyler White hit a leadoff double and scored after consecutive singles by shortstop Thomas Lindauer and first baseman Chase McDonald. Wisconsin answered in the bottom of the inning with Coulter singling and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Garcia.

In the fifth inning, Quintana held a 9-1 lead but allowed a one-out single by left fielder Marc Wik, who scored on a double by right fielder Ronnie Mitchell. But Ratterree hit a two-run home run - his fifth against Quad Cities and 15th in the Midwest League - in the bottom of the fifth inning off Brunnemann to extend the lead to 11-2. Brunnemann allowed three earned runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Quintana lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Right-hander Tyler Spurlin relieved Quintana for 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. Quad Cities remained behind, 11-2, until the eighth inning against right-hander Tristan Archer. McDonald and Rodriguez hit consecutive singles, and center fielder Brett Phillips hit an RBI double to right field. Phillips had three hits and two doubles for a second straight game. Archer's wild pitch scored Rodriguez, making it 11-4. But Wisconsin answered against right-hander Andrew Walter with a sacrifice fly by Pena and RBI single by Halcomb. Walter worked a season-high three innings, giving up two runs - one earned. Archer worked around two walks for Wisconsin in the ninth.

Quad Cities seeks a split of the four-game series and 16-game season series with Wisconsin at 12:05 p.m. Monday. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (1-1) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Barrett Astin (5-4) in the teams' final regular season meeting.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits open a six-game homestand with Eastern Division opponents at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association and Epic Stone Night and a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank, CBS WHBF and Mix 96. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
11 Jul 2014

WITH EARLY BURST, COUGARS OUTRUN BANDITS

By Marco LaNave
Quad Cities outhits Kane County, 15-12, but only brings tying run to bat in 9-5 rubber-match loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 11, 2014) - Kane County Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario hit a three-run double in the first inning to spur his team to an 8-0 lead by the sixth inning, and he added his first Midwest League home run for a 9-2 Cougars lead, and the Quad Cities River Bandits' late rally fell short in a 9-5 loss to the visitors in front of 5,525 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.

Candelario came to bat with the bases loaded and one out in the first inning after singles by second baseman Ben Carhart and left fielder Kyle Schwarber and a walk by first baseman Jacob Rogers. On an 0-1 pitch from right-hander Kevin Comer (1-2), Candelario hit a line drive down the left-field line, clearing the bases for a 3-0 Kane County lead.

The Cougars (14-5 second half, 59-30 overall) kept the same lead until the top of the fourth inning, when right fielder Kevin Brown led off hit his second home run in his first three Midwest League games to right field. With two outs, shortstop Carlos Penalver hit an infield single, went to third base on center fielder Jake Hannemann's single, and scored on Carhart's RBI single. Comer lasted four innings and was charged with five runs - five earned - on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts for Quad Cities (11-9, 46-43).

Cougars starter Juan Paniagua (6-3) allowed a first-inning double by second baseman Dayne Parker, who was picked off second base. River Bandits first baseman Tyler White and designated hitter Ronnie Mitchell each singled to begin the second inning before a strikeout and double play ended without a run scoring. White totaled three hits thursday, while Mitchell had a career-high four. Quad Cities outhit Quad Cities, 15-12, and had at least one hit in every inning but went 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.

River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser began the top of the fifth inning with a 5-0 deficit. He pitched one scoreless inning before Kane County extended its lead in the top of the sixth inning. Houser hit catcher Cael Brockmeyer to open the inning and walked Penalver with one out. Hannemann then doubled down the left-field line to score Brockmeyer, and Carhart's two-runs single extended the lead to 8-0.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, River Bandits center fielder James Ramsay hit a leadoff triple, and White drew a two-out walk to chase Paniagua, who went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and three walks while striking out five batters. Paniagua was charged with two earned runs when Mitchell hit a two-run double to left-center field on the first pitch from right-hander Michael Wagner to cut the deficit to 8-2.

Trailing, 9-2, after Candelario's home run in the seventh inning off Houser, the River Bandits made noise against Wagner in the eighth inning. White and Mitchell hit consecutive singles to end Wagner's night after 1 1/3 innings, and left fielder Jose Fernandez singled off right-hander Corbin Hoffner. Catcher Brian Holberton grounded into a fielder's choice, and consecutive walks by third baseman Marc Wik and shortstop Thomas Lindauer made it 9-4. But Hoffner got Ramsay to pop out to third base and Parker to fly to left field to keep it 9-4.

In the ninth inning, Hoffner allowed White's one-out double, Mitchell's single, and Fernandez's RBI single to cut the gap to 9-5. Right-hander Jose Arias entered to walk Holberton and bring the tying run to the plate. But Wik struck out after an eight-pitch battle, and pinch hitter Jon Kemmer grounded out to second base to end the game and leave the bases loaded with River Bandits for a second straight inning.

Quad Cities opens its last scheduled four-game road series of the season at Wisconsin at 7:05 p.m. Friday.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits open a six-game homestand with Eastern Division opponents at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association and Epic Stone Night and a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank, CBS WHBF and Mix 96. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

11 Jul 2014

SIMS QUIETS COUGARS, LIFTS BANDITS TO WIN

By Marco LaNave
Despite being outhit, 11-6, Quad Cities picks up its sixth win in eight July games

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 9, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims held the Kane County Cougars to one run in 5 2/3 innings to win his Midwest League debut, and right-handers Tyler Brunnemann and Andrew Walter combined to finish the 3-1 win for the home team in front of 2,727 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

After earning a win for the first time in exactly two years Saturday, Sims (1-0) won consecutive outings for the first time in his six-season professional career. He allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out three batters in his longest start since July 16, 2011, when he pitched six innings for a win with the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Atlanta Braves Class-A Advanced affiliate in the Carolina League.

Kane County (13-5 second half, 58-30 overall) threatened to score in the first inning against Sims, who recorded one out before a single by designated hitter Ben Carhart and consecutive walks to catcher Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Cael Brockmeyer. But third baseman Jeimer Candelario lined to first baseman Chase McDonald, who stepped on first base for the inning-ending double play to keep the 0-0 tie.

Quad Cities (11-8, 46-42) took its first lead of the series in the second inning against Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (9-4). McDonald and right fielder Ronnie Mitchell lined consecutive singles to center field, and designated hitter Brian Holberton grounded an RBI single to center field that scored McDonald. Catcher Brett Booth singled home Mitchell for a 2-0 lead.

The River Bandits added to the lead in the fourth inning, as third baseman Tyler White hit a leadoff double, Holberton singled and Torrez hit Booth with a pitch to load the bases. With one out, left fielder Marc Wik hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring White for a 3-0 lead. The three runs against Torrez were the first earned runs against him in four second-half starts. He allowed six hits and walked one batter while striking out five in five innings. Two of his four losses this season have come against Quad Cities.

Sims allowed at least one hit in each of the first six innings, but did not allow a run through the first five. He picked off Cougars right fielder Kevin Brown after a second-inning single, and Booth threw out center fielder Trey Martin trying to steal after a single in the third.

The Cougars outhit the River Bandits, 11-6, but did not reach the scoreboard until the sixth inning, when Schwarber hit a leadoff double, advanced to third base on Brockmeyer's flyout to center field and scored on Candelario's single into center field. Sims left after a two-out walk put the tying run at first base, but Brunnemann came in to get shortstop Carlos Penalver on an inning-ending flyout to right field.

Brunnemann allowed a seventh-inning single by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. but picked him off first base. With one out in the eighth inning, Brockmeyer singled, and Candelario doubled to right field, putting the tying run at second base. But Brunnemann struck out second baseman David Bote and got Brown to fly out. Walter finished a 1-2-3 ninth inning by fanning Dunston for his eighth save.

Quad Cities will seek to hand Kane County its first second-half series loss in the rubber match at 7 p.m. Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Juan Paniagua (5-3).

09 Jul 2014

COUGARS POUNCE ON BANDITS, PITCH TO WIN

By Marco LaNave
Kane County strikes out 13 Quad Cities batters and leads from the first inning to a final in series opener

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 8, 2014) - The Kane County Cougars scored in each of the first four innings Tuesday night, while right-hander Paul Blackburn pitched five innings to win his third straight start and combined with two relievers to strike out 13 Quad Cities River Bandits in the visitors' 7-3 win in front of 3,790 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Cougars catcher Kyle Schwarber had a game-high three hits and started a first-inning rally with a two-out, opposite-field double to the left-center field gap off right-hander Edison Frias (5-4). First baseman Jacob Rogers drove in Schwarber with double to the same gap, and he later scored for a 2-0 lead on a double down the third-base line by right fielder Kevin Brown, making his Midwest League debut for Kane County (13-4 second half, 58-29 overall). In the second inning, Frias allowed a leadoff single by third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Candelario went to second base when second baseman Ben Carhart walked with two outs, to third base when River Bandits catcher Jake Rodriguez's pickoff attempt went in to center field, and scored when a pitch got past Rodriguez for a passed ball.

Quad Cities (10-8, 45-42) came closest in the bottom of the second inning, when third baseman Tyler White drew a two-out walk, and second baseman Marc Wik drove his second home run in a week off the batter's eye in center field to cut the deficit to 3-2. Kane County answered in the next half inning with Brown's first Midwest League home run to right field, extending his team's lead to 4-2.

The Cougars chased Frias in the fourth inning. Candelario led off with his second single to right field, and left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. hit a line drive to right field, where Brett Phillips misplayed the ball to allow each runner two extra bases and score another run. Frias worked ahead of the next batter, Carhart, to an 0-2 count before hitting him with the pitch, which would be his last in 3 1/3 innings. Left-hander Albert Minnis entered with a 5-2 deficit and yielded Schwarber's second double to score a run and make it 6-2. All six runs - five earned - were charged to Frias, who allowed seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts and had his four-start winning streak snapped.

In his first Midwest League outing since June 13, Minnis went on to pitch a season-high 3 2/3 innings, only allowing an unearned run in the sixth inning, when Dunston Jr. singled, went to second base on an error by White, stole third base and scored on Schwarber's groundout for his second RBI and a 7-2 Cougars lead.

After Blackburn struck out six batters and allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks, right-hander Zak Hermans began the sixth inning, and Phillips greeted him with his team's only hit after the third inning - his seventh home run of the season to right field - that made it 7-3. Quad Cities has homered in seven straight games - its longest streak in more than two years - and has a total of 12 in the streak.

After Phillips' home run, Herman allowed two walks but no other hits while striking out five batters in three innings, and right-hander Corbin Hoffner struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Quad Cities continues its series with Kane County at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims is scheduled to make his Midwest League debut against Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (9-3).

UP NEXT: Rascal the River Bandit will celebrate his birthday with mascots from around the region before the 7 p.m. game Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Jimmy Buffett Night, and fans can bring copies of their unpaid bills to be entered into a drawing to be paid up to $100 on Pay Your Bill Wednesday, presented by U.S. Bank and Mix 96. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

07 Jul 2014

WHITE, GRILLS WIN ASTROS' JUNE HONORS

By Marco LaNave
             Third baseman wins first career monthly award, left-hander recognized for second time in four years
DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 5, 2014) - Third baseman Tyler White is the Quad Cities River Bandits Player of the Month for June, and left-handed pitcher Evan Grills is the team's Pitcher of the Month, the Houston Astros announced on Thursday.
The Houston Astros Player Development Department named a Pitcher and Player of the Month at each of their four full-season affiliates and two Dominican Summer League affiliates. These awards are chosen every month by the field staff of each team. Former River Bandits infielder Conrad Gregor and right-handed pitcher Juan Minaya took home the honors at Class-A Advanced Lancaster.
White, Houston's 33rd-round pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, hit .324 in 22 June games. He led Quad Cities with 10 extra-base hits, five home runs, 14 RBIs, 10 walks, a .632 slugging percentage and a 1.079 on-base plus slugging (OPS). The 23-year-old Mooresboro, N.C., native had a pair of two-homer games against Wisconsin in June, going deep twice at Wisconsin June 2 and at home June 15. Through Friday, White led the team with 39 RBIs and was seventh in the Midwest League with an .403 on-base percentage and .880 OPS.
Grills, Houston's 10th-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, won his second monthly pitching honor and first since he was the August 2011 Pitcher of the Month with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Astros. The 22-year-old Whitby, Ontario, Canada native had a June ERA of 0.95. In four appearances, including two starts, Grills had the team's first complete game of the season in Game 2 of a June 20 home doubleheader against Peoria, and he earned his first career save June 27 at Peoria. In 19 June innings, Grills struck out 17 batters while walking only two. Grills was promoted to Class-A Advanced Lancaster Friday, but he pitched a team-high 76 2/3 innings and had a 2.70 ERA that ranked fifth in the Midwest League and fourth among Houston Astros full-season minor league pitchers.
Below is a list of the Players and Pitchers of the Month this season for Quad Cities:
Month    Player                   Pitcher
April       Brett Phillips        Gonzalo Sanudo
May        Brian Holberton  Jandel Gustave
June        Tyler White         Evan Grills
07 Jul 2014

RIVER BANDITS HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS JULY 4-10 AND GAME PARKING INFORMATION

By Marco LaNave

Fourth of July Fireworks, Nolan Ryan bobblehead, Tote Bag giveaway, Rascal's Birthday & more

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (July 3, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits, Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, battle the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Class0A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, in a three-game series from Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, before hosting the Kane County Cougars, Class-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, at Modern Woodmen Park from Tuesday, July 8m through Thursday, July 10. Tickets are still available on riverbandits.com or by calling the box office at (563) 324-3000.

 

Due to flood waters around Modern Woodmen Park, a pedestrian bridge will allow access to the ballpark.

 

Parking under the Centennial Bridge and in the Florian Keen Parking Lot adjacent to the ballpark will be unavailable due to flooding.

 

Fans may use public parking in downtown Davenport.

 

Parking is Free at the following locations:

Davenport City Lot at West 5th St. & Brady St.

Davenport City Lot at West 5th St. & Main St.

Scott County Courthouse Lots:

- 5th St. & Ripley St.

- 5th St. & Western Ave.

- Lot between Western & Gaines

- Lot between Scott & Western

Community Healthcare Parking Lot

German American Heritage Center Parking Lot

 

Parking is available in the following Pay Garages ($5 special event parking price):

Redstone Ramp

Harrison Ramp

River Center Ramp

 

*Two golf carts will be in use to assist fans who need a ride to and from the parking lots and walking bridge.

 

Below are the highlights of promotions and events for the homestand.

 

Friday, July 4, 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD, & WLLR
- Fourth of July Fireworks Show presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD & WLLR - The River Bandits will offer all fans an expanded and free postgame fireworks show on the Fourth of July

- Half-price Ferris wheel rides, $2 beer and soda, $1 peanuts and popcorn - To celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend, the River Bandits will offer discounts on Ferris wheel rides and concessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

Saturday, July 5, 6:00 p.m. (Gates open at 3:30 p.m.) Sponsors: 101.3 KISS-FM, Mediacom & the Dispatch-Argus 

- Nolan Ryan Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Mediacom & the Dispatch-Argus - The first 1,500 fans will receive a bobblehead of Nolan Ryan, the Hall-of-Fame pitcher who won 324 games in his 27-year career with a major league-record 5,714 strikeouts. 

- Battle of the Badges Softball Game - The Davenport Police & Fire Departments will face the Rock Island Police & Fire Departments in a softball game from 3:45 - 5:00 p.m. The event will raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City.

- Fan Appreciation Saturday presented by 103.1 KISS-FM - There will be tables for a balloon artist and face painter on the concourse.

- Half-price Ferris wheel rides, $2 beer and soda, $1 peanuts and popcorn - To celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend, the River Bandits will offer discounts on Ferris wheel rides and concessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

Sunday, July 6, 5:00 p.m. (Gates open at 3:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Hy-Vee, KWQC & B100 

- Hy-Vee Tote Bag Giveaway - The first 1,000 fans will receive a Hy-Vee tote bag.

- Halloween Night - All fans who dress up in costume will receive $1 off their ticket price. There will be a pregame costume parade, trick-or-treating around the ballpark and a costume contest in which the winner will take home a prize. 

- Family Sunday presented by KWQC & B100 - The River Bandits will be on the field 4:15-4:30 p.m. for autographs. Following the game, Kids Run the Bases. Fans can also bring their dogs for Bark in the Park.

- Half-price Ferris wheel rides, $2 beer and soda, $1 peanuts and popcorn - To celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend, the River Bandits will offer discounts on Ferris wheel rides and concessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

Tuesday, July 8, 7:00 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Pepsi, WOC & Q-106.5

- Disco Night - Step back in time with '70s pricing on food and beer. Fans will be able to purchase $2 beer, $3 premium and $1 hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and peanuts.

- Buy-One-Get-One Free Tickets - All regular individual tickets are buy-one-get-one free on Tuesdays the rest of the regular season.

- Kids Eat Free - Kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a free meal at the ballpark.

- Dew for Twosday - Fans can bring in old Mountain Dew cans and exchange them for a voucher for a free 16-ounce Mountain Dew.

 

Wednesday, July 9, 7:00 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: U.S. Bank, Mix 96  

- Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank & Mix 96 - Fans can bring copies of their unpaid bills to Modern Woodmen Park and enter them in a drawing to be paid up to $100 by the River Bandits. The team will randomly select two to be paid.

- Rascal's Birthday Bash - Other mascots from the region will join Rascal in a pregame celebration on his birthday.

- Jimmy Buffett Night - Fans will be able to enjoy special margarita specials, as well as Jimmy Buffett player headshots and music throughout the game.

 

Thursday, July 10, 7:00 p.m. (Gates 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Modern Woodmen Bank, Rock 104-9 and River Cities' Reader 

- Thirst-day Thursday presented by Rock 104-9 and River Cities' Reader - Fans can enjoy $2 drink specials throughout the game.

- Buy One-Get One presented by IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union - All Thursday tickets for IHMVCU members are buy-one, get-one free. Fans must show membership at the box office to receive the ticket special.

 

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return home for the Fourth of July weekend, beginning with a 7 p.m. game Friday, July 4, to be followed by Fourth of July Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD. Game tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

03 Jul 2014

BANDITS RAIN LONG BALLS ON BELOIT IN SHORT WIN

By Marco LaNave
Quad Cities clinches winning road trip and wins eighth straight game over Beloit

BELOIT, Wis. (July 2, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits second baseman Jose Fernandez had a career-high four RBIs with his first career grand slam as the last of his team's three home runs, and left-hander Evan Grills allowed one run in five innings before play was stopped and eventually called off with Quad Cities earning an 8-1, five-inning win at rainy Pohlman Field Wednesday night.

In their shortest completed game since a 3-2, five-inning home win on June 29, 2012, the River Bandits (7-6 second half, 42-40 overall) won their eighth straight game in the season series with the Snappers (2-10, 32-50), who have also lost eight straight second-half games.

Rain fell for most of the game, and Snappers right-hander Hunter Adkins (0-2) began the game in a light shower by walking center fielder James Ramsay on four pitches. Adkins worked to an 0-2 count on third baseman Marc Wik, who then drove his first Midwest League home run to left-center field to give the River Bandits a 2-0 lead. Wik has also homered this season in the Texas and New York-Penn Leagues.

In the bottom of the first inning, Grills (3-3) allowed a one-out infield single by Snappers second baseman Chih-Fang Pan before grabbing a one-hop comebacker to the mound to begin a 1-4-3, inning-ending double play. Grills kept Beloit off the scoreboard until the bottom of the third inning, when first baseman B.A. Vollmuth hit a leadoff double and scored after two groundouts.

Quad Cities held a 2-1 lead with one out in the top of the fourth inning, when left fielder Ronnie Mitchell smacked the first pitch of his second at-bat against Adkins out to right-center field for his first home run since June 2 and team-high 10th of the season. Fernandez followed with a triple down the right-field line and scored on catcher Jake Rodriguez's RBI single to center field to make it 4-1.

In the top of the fifth inning, Adkins allowed a one-out walk to Wik, who reached base in all three of his plate appearances. With two outs, first baseman Chase McDonald hit a fly to left-center field, where Snappers center fielder B.J. Boyd dropped the ball, allowing Wik and McDonald to reach third and second bases, respectively. Adkins intentionally walked Mitchell before Fernandez launched an 0-1 pitch over the left-center field fence for his first home run since Aug. 21 and an 8-1 Quad Cities lead.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Grills gave up a one-out single to Vollmuth and a two-out single to Boyd before striking out shortstop Melvin Mercedes to complete five innings for his 10th straight start to begin the season. After the umpires called for the tarp to be put on the field and the game was later called as a final, Grills picked up his first win since May 31, having allowed five hits, one earned run and no walks with two strikeouts.

After clinching a winning road trip with a 6-4 record through 10 of 11 games, Quad Cities seek its first sweep of a road series at 7 p.m. Thursday in Beloit. River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (0-1) is scheduled to face Snappers right-hander Lou Trivino (4-6).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return home for the Fourth of July weekend, beginning with a 7 p.m. game Friday, July 4, to be followed by Fourth of July Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD. Game tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

03 Jul 2014

BANDITS TO WEAR CAPS TO SUPPORT VETERANS

By Marco LaNave
The same caps worn by the team on July 4 will be on sale in the team store July 3 and online July 7

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 2, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits are among 113 teams across Minor League Baseball teams that will honor America and help raise much-needed funds for a worthy cause this Independence Day holiday weekend by wearing specially designed "Stars & Stripes" caps from New Era Cap Company.

The River Bandits will wear the specialty caps - as well as sell the caps in the team store at Modern Woodmen Park - as part of fundraising and awareness initiatives for Welcome Back Veterans, an organization dedicated to addressing the ongoing needs of military personnel and their families.

"Our military and their families make tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom and defend our country, and we look forward to honoring them this Fourth of July weekend," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "The Stars & Stripes program gives River Bandits fans a unique opportunity to support our military personnel and their families, show their Bandit pride and look great in the process!"

The caps have the American flag etched into a star behind the team's white primary logo, with a red crown and blue brims and buttons. The caps can be purchased in the River Bandits team store for $30 each beginning Thursday, and they will be available to order online beginning Monday, July 7.

Minor League Baseball, in conjunction with its licensing partner Major League Baseball Properties, will once again donate 100 percent of the proceeds from cap sales to Welcome Back Veterans as part of its contribution to the program. Since the program's inception in 2010, MiLB has contributed annually to the veterans' organization.

The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park to face the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at 7 p.m. Friday in the opener of a three-game series and a six-game homestand. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return home for the Fourth of July weekend, beginning with a 7 p.m. game Friday, July 4, to be followed by Fourth of July Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD. Game tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

02 Jul 2014

FELIZ DOMINATES SNAPPERS IN BANDITS' WIN

By Marco LaNave
Brian Holberton and Brett Phillips each hit home runs to lead 3-1 Quad Cities triumph

BELOIT, Wis. (July 1, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz struck out seven batters and allowed a lone unearned run in a season-high seven innings, while catcher Brian Holberton and right fielder Brett Phillips hit solo home runs to lift the visitors to a 3-1 victory over the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field Tuesday night.

In his longest outing since a seven-inning start last Sept. 6 in the New York-Penn League playoffs, Feliz (4-2) out-dueled Snappers right-hander Junior Mendez (2-4), who also went seven innings, allowing two runs - one earned. Each pitcher walked only one batter, and Feliz struck out seven, while Mendez fanned six. Feliz has allowed one unearned run while striking out 17 in 14 innings against Beloit.

Through four scoreless innings, each team had one hit. With two outs in the top of the fifth inning, Mendez had set down 12 straight batters before Holberton launched a 1-0 fastball over the fence in right-center field for his sixth home run. In the bottom of the inning, Feliz had retired 11 batters in a row before a one-out double by Snappers right fielder Tyler Marincov. A wild pitch and walk put runners at first and third bases, but Feliz got catcher Jose Chavez to fly out to right field to keep the 1-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth inning, River Bandits center fielder James Ramsay hit a leadoff single, went to third base after two groundouts and scored on a passed ball by Chavez to extend the lead to 2-0. In the bottom of the sixth, a one-out throwing error by second baseman Jose Fernandez allowed center fielder B.J. Boyd to reach first base. Third baseman Matt Chapman then swatted his second double of the game to left-center field, scoring Boyd to make it 2-1. During the next at-bat, however, River Bandits catcher Jake Rodriguez threw to shortstop Thomas Lindauer to pick off Chapman, eliminating what would be the Snappers' last opportunity with the tying run in scoring position.

Rain interrupted play for seven minutes in the top of the seventh inning, but Mendez completed a season-high seven-inning start. Feliz worked around a two-out single in the bottom of the inning, before Quad Cities (6-6 second half, 41-40 overall) turned to right-hander Frederick Tiburcio to start the bottom of the eighth inning with a 2-1 lead. Tiburcio fanned the last two batters in a 1-2-3 eighth inning.

In the top of the ninth, Phillips blasted the first pitch from right-hander Bobby Wahl over the right-field fence for his fifth home run, widening the lead to 3-1. Wahl worked two innings out of the bullpen for Beloit (2-9, 32-49).

Tiburcio also worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to convert his fifth straight save opportunity. Quad Cities won its seventh straight game over Beloit, which has also lost seven straight overall

Winners of four straight series openers and now 5-4 on their 11-game road trip, the River Bandits continue their series in Beloit at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Quad Cities left-hander Evan Grills (2-3) is scheduled to face Beloit right-hander Hunter Adkins (0-1).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return home for the Fourth of July weekend, beginning with a 7 p.m. game Friday, July 4, to be followed by Fourth of July Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD. Game tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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