05 Aug 2013

BANDITS RALLY AGAIN FOR HOME SWEEP OF CHIEFS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities matches season high with sixth straight win and splits 18-game season series with Peoria

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 2, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a game-tying home run and an RBI triple, while designated hitter Dan Gulbransen had the go-ahead hit for a third straight game to help right-hander Chris Devenski earn his first Midwest League victory in a 5-2 win that completed a sweep of the Peoria Chiefs at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night.

Devenski (1-2) threw the game's first pitch in the rain, and Chiefs left fielder C.J. McElroy hit it through the left side of the infield for the first of Peoria's 12 hits. A sacrifice moved McElroy to second base, and second baseman Bruce Caldwell singled to put runners at first and third bases. Chiefs first baseman and former River Bandit Jordan Walton hit a sacrifice fly to center field, and third baseman Breyvic Valera followed with an RBI single to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Devenski allowed a baserunner in each of the next four innings but kept the Chiefs from adding to the lead. He allowed seven hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Quad Cities (24-15 second half, 62-46 overall) remained scoreless through the first three innings against Chiefs right-hander Silfredo Garcia (3-4), who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third inning. In the fourth, right-fielder Jordan Scott hit an infield single and scored when catcher Jobduan Morales grounded a double down the first-base line - his first hit since July 21.

In the fifth inning, Hernandez led off with a blast to left-center field for his team-high 10th home run - and fourth in as many series - to extend his eight-game hitting streak and tie the game, 2-2. Shortstop Carlos Correa hit a one-out double down the third-base line and went to third base on a passed ball. Gulbransen then slapped a single through the left side of a drawn-in infield that scored Correa for a 3-2 score. Each of Correa's three runs in the series gave Quad Cities the lead, and Gulbransen's hit extended a 10-game hitting streak. Morales later added an RBI single to drive in Gulbransen, and the former had his first multi-RBI game in four weeks. All of it came against Garcia, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings.

In the sixth against Chiefs right-hander Joe Scanio, second baseman Austin Elkins singled to center field and scored on Hernandez's team-high eighth triple to right field. Hernandez has 14 hits, including seven for extra bases, in his last 31 at-bats (.452 average).

From the River Bandits bullpen, right-hander Juri Perez worked around a single and hit batter in the sixth. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson allowed three this in the seventh but no runs in two innings of work. Right-hander Juan Minaya allowed a single and another baserunner on an error but finished the ninth inning for his seventh save. The Chiefs left 12 runners on base.

Friday's victory was Quad Cities' 29th comeback win and also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, Aug. 3. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Saturday, Aug. 3. The River Bandits start a four-game series in Cedar Rapids at 5:05 p.m. Saturday. Left-hander Joe Bircher (2-1) will face Kernels left-hander Mason Melotakis (9-3) in the opener.

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday, Aug. 7. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

31 Jul 2013

BANDITS USE EARLY JUMP AGAIN TO DOWN SNAPPERS

By Marco LaNave

Terrell Joyce and Teoscar Hernandez each score two runs to help Quad Cities take three-game series

 

BELOIT, Wis. (JULY 29, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits took a first-inning lead for the third consecutive game at Pohlman Field, and left-hander Colton Cain pitched five innings of one-run, five-hit ball for his fourth straight winning decision in his team's 4-1 road victory over the Beloit Snappers Monday night.

 

The River Bandits (20-15 second half, 58-46 overall) passed the Snappers (20-16, 63-43) for second place in the second-half Western Division standings ahead of a four-game home series with fourth-place Peoria. Quad Cities took its fifth victory in seven games in Beloit and finished 7-5 in its longest road stretch of the season - 12 games in 13 days.


For a third straight game, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez led off by reaching base, as he drew a walk against right-hander Seth Streich (10-6). He moved to second on a sacrifice by second baseman Austin Elkins and stole third base. Shortstop Carlos Correa brought in Hernandez with a grounded out to second base.

 

The River Bandits added on in the third inning. Left fielder Terrell Joyce was hit by a pitch and went to second base on a wild pitch. Hernandez singled - his eighth hit in 13 at-bats - and went to second base when the throw went toward home plate. Catcher Nick Rickles' throw to second base went into center field, allowing Joyce to score. When Elkins put down a sacrifice up the first-base line, Streich's throw to first base hit Elkins, allowing Hernandez to come all the way around to score for a 3-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Joyce reached on an infield single, went to second Hernandez's sacrifice, third on Elkins' groundout, and home on Correa's single to make it 4-0.

 

Cain (5-5) worked with baserunners in each of his five innings. After two first-inning singles, he struck out two batters to escape the jam. He also stranded runners in scoring position with strikeouts ending the third and fourth innings. Beloit scored its run in the fifth inning, when right fielder Aaron Shipman hit a leadoff double - the only extra-base hit by either side - and scored after consecutive groundouts.


Right-hander Daniel Minor inherited the 4-1 lead to start the sixth inning. He gave up two singles but no runs in the sixth, but after allowing two singles around two strikeouts in the seventh, right-hander Jordan Jankowski came in to get an inning-ending strikeout. Jankowski got three straight outs in the eighth, and right-hander Juan Minaya pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth save.


Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, July 30. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, July 30.

 

The River Bandits start a four-game series at Modern Woodmen Park against Peoria at 7 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers (5-5) will face Chiefs left-hander Kyle Helisek (7-4) in the opener.

29 Jul 2013

BIRCHER MAKES EARLY OUTBURST STAND UP IN WIN

By Marco LaNave

Teoscar Hernandez hits leadoff home run and finishes a triple shy of the cycle for Quad Cities

 

BELOIT, Wis. (JULY 28, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez led off Sunday afternoon's game at Pohlman Field with a home run to start his team's five-run first inning, and left-hander Joe Bircher pitched a career-high seven shutout innings in a 9-1 victory over the Beloit Snappers.

 

After Beloit had 19 hits in Saturday's series opener, the River Bandits (19-15 second half, 57-46 overall) posted 15 hits, including a season-high eight doubles and nine extra-base hits. Hernandez and third baseman Rio Ruiz each had three hits. Hernandez finished a triple shy of the cycle, while Ruiz posted three RBIs for a second straight game and has five hits in the last two games.

 

Hernandez hit the second pitch of the game by right-hander Deyvi Jimenez (2-1) over the left-center field fence for his team-high ninth home run of the season. Shortstop Carlos Correa and right fielder Dan Gulbransen hit consecutive one-out singles, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ruiz lined a two-run double to right-center field, and designated hitter Terrell Joyce added a two-out, two-run double down the left-field line for a five-run frame - the team's largest opening inning of the season.

 

After Bircher (2-1) worked a perfect first inning, Hernandez hit a leadoff single in the second inning to record his third straight multi-hit game. Left fielder Jordan Scott extended his hitting streak to eight games with a double to left-center field, before Correa brought in a run with a sacrifice fly to right. Gulbransen added an RBI single through the middle for a 7-0 lead.

 

Bircher cruised through the Snappers lineup, facing his deepest trouble when he hit a batter and allowed a single to put runners at first and second in the second inning. An infield popup ended the threat, and Beloit (20-15, 63-42) did not advance a runner past first base for the rest of his outing. Bircher also set down the final seven Snappers he faced in order.

 

Quad Cities added a run in the fourth inning when Hernandez and Correa each doubled against Jimenez, who finished four innings, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits. Right-hander Derek DeYoung shut out the River Bandits on two hits for four innings, but the visitors tallied a ninth-inning run on Ruiz's RBI single against left-hander Chris Lamb.

 

Left-hander Mitchell Lambson followed Bircher to start the eighth, allowing Beloit's run on a Nick Rickles ninth-inning RBI double.

 

Sunday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Monday, July 29. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Monday, July 29.

 

The River Bandits play their finale of a 12-road-game, 13-day stretch and the rubber match of the three-game series in Beloit at 7 p.m. Monday. River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain (4-5) will oppose Snappers right-hander Seth Streich (10-5).


UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

 

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

29 Jul 2013

SNAPPERS BATTER BANDITS FOR 19 HITS, 8-6 WIN

By Marco LaNave

Rio Ruiz hits seventh home run and drives in three runs for Quad Cities

BELOIT, Wis. (JULY 27, 2013) - Beloit Snappers catcher Nick Rickles went 5-for-5 with a double and home run, and four other Snappers had multi-hit games to contribute to the team's season-high 19 hits in an 8-6 victory over the visiting Quad Cities River Bandits at Pohlman Field Saturday night.

One night after allowing a season-low two hits in a 1-0 win at Burlington, the River Bandits (18-15 second half, 56-46 overall) gave up the most hits by an opponent since yielding a season-high 21 to Cedar Rapids on June 5. The Snappers (20-14, 63-41) had at least one hit in every inning at bat, and at least two hits in every inning but the first.

Quad Cities opened the scoring, however, against Snappers right-hander Andres Avila. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a leadoff single and scored on a one-out double by shortstop Carlos Correa, who later scored on a two-out RBI single by third baseman Rio Ruiz.

River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski allowed the Snappers to tie the game with single runs in the third and fourth innings. Right fielder John Wooten hit a third-inning RBI fielder's choice, and Rickles tied the game with a home run leading off the fourth. Devenski stranded the go-ahead run at third base in the fourth and fifth innings. He finished five innings, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits.

Avila faced the minimum without a hit after a second-inning leadoff double by River Bandits right fielder Dan Gulbransen, on his way to five innings of work and a no-decision. Right-hander Kris Hall (4-1) started the sixth inning and gave up a two-out single by first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki and Ruiz's go-ahead two-run home run to right-center field.

With a 4-2 lead, right-hander Juri Perez started the bottom of the sixth inning by walking center fielder Brett Vertigan. Shipman hit a ground ball that second baseman Austin Elkins threw to second base for a forceout, and Correa's throw to first struck Vertigan, providing no possibility to get Shipman. Designated hitter Daniel Robertson doubled, and second baseman Christopher Bostick hit a sacrifice fly to right field for a 4-3 deficit. Third baseman Renato Nunez followed with a two-out, game-tying single, and doubles by Wooten and first baseman Matt Olson, as well as Rickles' RBI single that made it 7-4. Perez allowed five runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Quad Cities came within 7-6 in the seventh against Hall, who yielded RBI singles by left fielder Jordan Scott and Correa, although the former was thrown out trying to reach second base to become what would have been the tying run in scoring position. Shipman added an RBI single against right-hander Gera Sanchez for an 8-6 Snappers margin. Right-hander Tyler Vail allowed a lone ninth-inning single over the last two innings for his fourth save.

The River Bandits and Snappers will continue their series at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Quad Cities left-hander Joe Bircher (1-1) is scheduled to face Beloit right-hander Deyvi Jimenez (2-0).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

29 Jul 2013

VELASQUEZ DOMINATES BEES IN BANDITS' 1-0 WIN

By Marco LaNave

Right-hander keeps home team hitless for 4 1/3 innings and works career-high seven innings

BURLINGTON, Iowa (JULY 26, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez retired the first 12 Burlington Bees on the way to a career-high seven shutout innings, and an eighth-inning infield single by second baseman Austin Elkins brought in the only run of a 1-0 Friday night victory at Community Field.

Velasquez (7-4) kept the Bees without a baserunner until designated hitter Michael Bolaski led off the fifth inning with a ground ball to third baseman Rio Ruiz, whose throw was dropped at first base by Bobby Borchering for an error. Two batters later, left fielder Exicardo Cayones had the Bees first hit with a single through the right side of the infield. Velasquez then induced an inning-ending double play. He went on to allow a sixth-inning single by Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson but finished with seven strikeouts, 11 groundouts and just one fly ball to the outfield.

Bees left-hander Ryan Crowley (8-5) matched Velasquez by shutting out the River Bandits (18-14 second half, 56-45 overall) for the first seven innings. In one stretch, he retired 11 consecutive batters - including five on strikeouts - from the second to sixth innings. He allowed lone singles in the first, second and sixth innings, and a pair of hits in the seventh, although one by Ruiz struck Borchering running from first base.

Crowley also struck out the first two batters in the eighth inning for his ninth and 10th of the game. With two outs, River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled to right field and moved to second base on a wild pitch. Elkins then bounced a grounder behind second base and beat the throw to first base by second baseman Garrett Cannizaro, while Hernandez never stopped running around third base and scored the first run of the game. It was the final pitch for Crowley, who tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits without a walk. Right-hander Kurt Spomer took over for the final out of the eighth inning. Spomer, left-hander Christopher O'Grady and right-hander Joseph Krehbiel each recorded an out in the ninth inning.

Right-hander Jordan Jankowski pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts for the River Bandits, but the Bees (13-20, 39-59) threatened to tie the game in the ninth inning against right-hander Juan Minaya. The only two walks of the game by any pitcher put runners at first and second base with one out. But Minaya fanned first baseman Wade Hinkle and - after a wild pitch moved the tying run to third base - Bolaski to put away the victory for his fourth save.

Friday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, July 27. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Saturday, July 27. The River Bandits, in third place in the Midwest League Western Division, open a three-game series against the second-place Beloit Snappers at 7:00 p.m. Saturday in Beloit. River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski (0-2) will oppose Snappers right-hander Andres Avila (4-1).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

26 Jul 2013

DELOACH DEALS FOR BEES TO DEFEAT BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Bees pitchers strike out 12 batters without allowing a walk to Quad Cities

BURLINGTON, Iowa (JULY 25, 2013) - Burlington Bees left-hander Tyler DeLoach finished a seven-inning, nine-strikeout performance by retiring the final 12 Quad Cities River Bandits he faced, and a fifth-inning, go-ahead, two-run triple by shortstop Wendell Soto gave the home team a 5-2 win Thursday night at Community Field.

DeLoach (5-2) retired Quad Cities (17-14 second half, 55-45 overall) in order in the first inning, and his teammates gave him a lead in the bottom half. River Bandits right-hander Mark Appel walked the first two Bees hitters before getting a ground-ball fielder's choice for the first out. Designated hitter Michael Bolaski lifted a fly ball to the right-field corner that drove in third baseman Sherman Johnson for a 1-0 Burlington edge. Appel finished the inning with two strikeouts, although the batter reached on a wild pitch on the first one.

For a second straight night, the River Bandits answered by taking the lead in the second inning. Designated hitter Luis Alvarez was hit by a pitch and moved to second base on a single by right fielder Terrell Joyce. Two batters later, third baseman Brian Blasik brought in both runners with a two-out double over left fielder Exicardo Cayones.

With a 2-1 lead, Appel started the second inning with a walk and single by center fielder Riley Good. He retired the next two batters before another walk loaded the bases. He struck out Bees first baseman Wade Hinkle to end the threat. Appel did not take the mound for the third inning, having allowed one earned run on one hit and four walks with four strikeouts. The Bees (13-19, 39-58) left nine runners on base in the first four innings and 11 in the game.

DeLoach settled in after allowing doubles by shortstop Carlos Correa and Alvarez in the third and fourth innings, respectively. Following Alvarez's leadoff double in the fourth, he set down a dozen straight hitters - striking out seven in that stretch. The Bees gave DeLoach the support he needed in the fifth inning against right-hander Daniel Minor (7-2). With two outs and the bases empty, right fielder Chevy Clarke singled to left field, and Good drew a walk. Soto then drove a ball to the right-center field gap and slid into third with a go-ahead triple and a 3-2 Bees lead. Minor finished 2 2/3 innings, and left-hander Mitchell Lambson followed with 3 1/3 innings from the bullpen.

Quad Cities had its best chance to pull even in the eighth inning, when left fielder Jordan Scott snapped a 14-out string with an infield single against left-hander Christopher O'Grady. Correa followed with a single, and right-hander Cam Bedrosian hit first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki with a pitch to load the bases. Bedrosian then struck out Alvarez looking to keep the lead, which Hinkle extended with a two-run home run off Lambson in the bottom of the inning. Bedrosian fanned three of the final four batters for his fourth save.

The River Bandits and Bees will play the rubber match of their series at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Quad Cities right-hander Vincent Velasquez (6-4) is scheduled to face Burlington left-hander Ryan Crowley (8-4).

25 Jul 2013

MCCULLERS HELPS BANDITS KEEP EDGE TO DOWN BEES

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities wins consecutive games for first time in more than two weeks

BURLINGTON, Iowa (JULY 24, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers struck out six batters in five innings to earn his first win since June 23, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit his team-leading eighth home run to help the visitors to an 8-5 victory over the Burlington Bees at Community Field Wednesday night.

Seven players combined for nine hits to help Quad Cities (17-13 second half, 55-44 overall) win back-to-back games for the first time since July 6-7 in Kane County and score at least seven runs in consecutive games for the first time since July 2-3 at home against Clinton.

In the opener of a three-game series, Burlington (12-19, 38-58) took the lead in the first inning against McCullers (5-5). Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson drew a leadoff walk, and first baseman Wade Hinkle hit his 10th home run to give his team a 2-0 lead. McCullers has allowed a home run in each of his last three starts, while Quad Cities' opponents have homered in seven straight games.

The River Bandits answered quickly against right-hander Pat Lowery (3-6) in the second inning. Designated hitter Bobby Borchering and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki drew consecutive walks and advanced one base each on a wild pitch - the first of five thrown by Bees pitchers in the game. Third baseman Rio Ruiz then drove both runs home with his first triple of the season to right-center field. Another wild pitch brought in Ruiz for the go-ahead run. Catcher Roberto Pena then singled, and right fielder Dan Gulbransen grounded into a fielder's choice. Two batters later, Hernandez hammered a Lowery offering over the left-field fence for a 5-2 Quad Cities lead. The five-run frame was the River Bandits' largest since a five-run ninth inning against Cedar Rapids on June 13.

McCullers held the lead by tossing four straight scoreless innings to finish his outing. He gave up a walk in the second inning but erased it on a double play. The Bees loaded the bases in the third inning on a hit batter and two walks, but McCullers got a strikeout that started a string of seven consecutive outs through the end of the fifth inning. His six strikeouts gave him 101 this season, making he and teammate Vincent Velasquez (102) the only Midwest League pitchers with 100 this season.

The teams traded pairs of runs in the seventh inning. Pena doubled and scored on a single by Gulbransen. Second baseman Austin Elkins later doubled on scored on a play that included a wild pitch and a throwing error by Bees catcher Zach Wright. In the bottom of the inning, right-hander Juri Perez gave up a single and three walks that led to two runs. Right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings for the Quad Cities bullpen. The River Bandits scored a run with the help of two ninth-inning errors, while the Bees had three hits for a ninth-inning run against right-hander Jordan Jankowski.

Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, July 25. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Thursday, July 25. The River Bandits and Bees continue their series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Quad Cities right-hander Mark Appel (0-0) will make his third Midwest League start against Burlington left-hander Tyler DeLoach (4-2).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

23 Jul 2013

SCOTT'S BIG DAY LEADS BANDITS TO WIN IN FINALE

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities left fielder drives in career-high five to lead 7-4 comeback victory

EASTLAKE, Ohio (JULY 22, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left fielder Jordan Scott drove in his team's first five runs Monday afternoon to set a new career high, and shortstop Carlos Correa added a two-run home run in the visitors' 7-4 win over the Lake County Captains at Classic Park.

After a one-hour, eight-minute delay due to potential rain before first pitch, Lake County (15-15 second half, 38-59 overall) took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a leadoff solo home run by first baseman Joe Sever off River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain. The Captains then got a double by third baseman Erik Gonzalez, before catcher Jeremy Lucas was hit by a pitch, and designated hitter Eric Haase singled to load the bases. Two batters later, second baseman Yhoxian Medina's sacrifice fly made it 2-0.

The River Bandits (16-13, 54-44) answered in the top of the fourth inning against right-hander Dylan Baker. Catcher Roberto Pena reached on a fielder's choice that was the second out of the inning, and second baseman Brian Blasik and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez each drew walks. With the bases loaded, Scott smacked a drive that hit near the top of the wall in right-center field and cleared the bases for a three-run triple and a 3-2 Quad Cities lead.

The Captains answered against Cain in the bottom of the inning. Haase drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a single by right fielder Jorge Martinez, went to third on a fielder's choice and scored the tying run on left fielder Todd Hankins' RBI single. Cain finished the inning but did not start the fifth after allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three batters.

River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor (7-1) pitched scoreless fifth and sixth innings, stranding a runner at third and second, respectively, to take post his team-high seventh win. Baker finished five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and six walks.

Quad Cities took the lead for good in the sixth inning, when right-hander Jack Wagoner (2-5) issued consecutive walks to Pena and Blasik. After Hernandez sacrificed both into scoring position, Scott lined a two-run single to right-center field for a 5-3 lead. Correa then hit his seventh home run to the left-center field berm with Scott aboard, extending the lead to 7-3.

After Minor, left-hander Mitchell Lambson worked two scoreless innings, and right-hander Juan Minaya allowed two hits and a run in the ninth inning to finish the 7-4 win. Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, July 23. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, July 23.

The River Bandits resume their road stretch with the opener of a three-game series in Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Quad Cities right-hander Lance McCullers (4-5) will face Bees right-hander Pat Lowery (3-5).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

23 Jul 2013

CORREA, APPEL, MCCULLERS RANKED TOP PROSPECTS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities is only Minor League Baseball team with two of ESPN.com top 10 prospects

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JULY 22, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits players and Houston Astros first-round draft picks Carlos Correa, Mark Appel and Lance McCullers are each among the top 50 overall prospects in baseball, according to midseason rankings by Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and ESPN.com. With Correa and Appel, Quad Cities is the only team in Minor League Baseball with two of the top 10 prospects, according to ESPN.com.

 

Below are the midseason rankings for each player:

River Bandit

Position

Baseball America (July 8)

Baseball Prospectus (June 25)

ESPN.com (July 18)

Carlos Correa

SS

9

16

7

Mark Appel

RHP

-

18

9

Lance McCullers

RHP

46

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

 

Correa, 18, was the youngest player in both the Midwest League All-Star Game June 18 and the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game July 14, after he won the first-ever fan vote for the final roster spot on the World Team. The Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, native was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft and was the first River Bandits position player representative at the Futures Game. He was the River Bandits Player of the Month for May and June and the Western Division starting shortstop at the Midwest League All-Star Game. Through Sunday, Correa is third in the Midwest League and fourth in the Astros minor league system with a .320 batting average.

 

Appel, 22, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft June 6 after finishing his four-year career at Stanford University with a program-record 372 strikeouts. The Houston native has made four professional starts, including the last two with Quad Cities, which has won both of his starts. When Appel joined the roster July 10, the River Bandits made history as the first Minor League Baseball team to ever have consecutive No. 1 overall draft picks on the same roster. Appel and Correa played in the same game for the first time Friday.

 

McCullers, 19, was the Western Division starting pitcher for the Midwest League All-Star Game after posting a 2.08 ERA in the first half. The Tampa, Fla., native was the Quad Cities Pitcher of the Month in May, when he had a 1.88 ERA in seven outings. Through Sunday, McCullers is 4-5 with a 3.01 ERA, which ranks eighth in the Midwest League and 10th in the Astros minor league system. The Astros' 2012 supplemental first round pick is also fifth among Astros minor leaguers and third in the Midwest League with 95 strikeouts.


Four former River Bandits also appeared among the midseason rankings:

River Bandit

Position

QC Year

Baseball America (July 8)

Baseball Prospectus (June 25)

ESPN.com (July 18)

Oscar Taveras

OF

2011

2

2

2

Jonathan Singleton

1B

2013

22

36

33

Carlos Martinez

RHP

2011

24

22

 

Kolten Wong

2B

2011

47

34

 

 

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

 

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

22 Jul 2013

CAPTAINS KEEP UP HOT HITTING OVER BANDITS, 7-3

By Marco LaNave

Bandits' Alvarez has second straight multi-hit game, Hernandez runs hitting streak to eight games

 

EASTLAKE, Ohio (JULY 21, 2013) - Every player in the Lake County Captains started lineup had a hit Sunday night, highlighted by a three-hit game from center fielder Logan Vick and a two-run home run by left fielder Todd Hankins in the home team's 7-3 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Classic Park.

 

Quad Cities (15-13 second half, 53-44 overall) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Captains right-hander Luis Morel. River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez reached on an error by Captains second baseman Yhoxian Medina, went to second base on second baseman Austin Elkins' sacrifice, and to third on shortstop Carlos Correa's single. When Correa tried stealing second, catcher Eric Haase threw him out, but that allowed Hernandez to score. Morel only allowed runners on an error and walk in the rest of his four-inning start.

 

In his first Midwest League start since May 4, River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (1-1) issued a leadoff walk and back-to-back singles to start the first inning. On the second hit, however, left fielder Jesse Wierzbicki threw to third baseman Rio Ruiz, who relayed the ball to catcher Luis Alvarez to put out Hankins on the way to home plate. Despite being knocked on his backside by Hankins, Alvarez quickly got up and threw to Correa at third base, and he fired to Elkins at second to catch baserunner Dorssys Paulino for a 7-5-2-6-4 double play.

 

Bircher scattered five hits in the first three innings, but Lake County (15-14, 38-58) broke through in the fourth inning. Designated hitter Jeremy Lucas hit a one-out double, and right fielder Jorge Martinez brought in the tying run with an RBI dobule to right field. Medina provided the go-ahead hit with a single to center field, and Hankins followed with a drive down the left-field line for a 4-1 margin.

 

After walking the first two batters of the fifth inning, Bircher was removed for right-hander Jamaine Cotton, who allowed the inherited runners to score on a double by third baseman Erik Gonzalez and a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Jeremy Lucas. Both runs were charged to Bircher, who allowed six earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out four batters in four-plus innings.

 

Following Morel, Captains right-hander Felix Sterling (3-4) started the fifth inning and allowed two hits in both the fifth and sixth innings. Quad Cities scored in the sixth, when Elkins hit a leadoff single, went to third base on designated hitter Bobby Borchering's double and scored on Wierzbicki's groundout. In the seventh, Captains right-hander Jimmy Stokes allowed a leadoff single by right fielder Dan Gulbransen, who scored on first baseman Jobduan Morales' groundout. Hernandez singled with Alvarez at second base, but the latter was thrown out at home. Trailing 6-3, Quad Cities brought Correa to the plate as the tying run with two outs, but he grounded into a fielder's choice. Lake County added a seventh-inning run against right-hander Gera Sanchez, and right-hander Benny Suarez finished the Captains relief effort with two scoreless innings.

 

The River Bandits play the series finale in Lake County at 10:00 a.m. Central Time Monday. River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain (4-5) will face Captains right-hander Dylan Baker (6-5).

 

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.