17 Jun 2013

BEES HOLD DOWN BANDITS FOR 3-1 WIN IN OPENER

By Marco LaNave

Jesse Wierzbicki has fourth straight multi-hit game to go to 9-for-17 with 9 RBIs on home stand

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 14, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits managed to out-hit the Burlington Bees, 7-5, Friday night, but they left 11 runners on base in a 3-1 loss to the visitors in front of 5,196 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Bees right-hander Patrick Lowery (3-3) allowed a leadoff single by River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez but only allowed two runners to reach third base in six shutout innings. He gave up five walks and four hits but struck out three batters. River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez (4-3) gave up all three Burlington runs to suffer his first loss in exactly one month.

Burlington (25-37) started quickly against Velasquez, as third baseman Sherman Johnson singled to right-center field leading off the game, and right fielder Kyle Johnson followed with a single to center. Velasquez then walked first baseman Wade Hinkle before striking out designated hitter Andrew Ray. Bees second baseman Chance Ross then bounced a ball back to Velasquez on the mound, but he threw wide of home plate, and catcher Jobduan Morales could not make the catch, as Sherman Johnson scored for a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Ross drew a leadoff walk, and left fielder Kevin Moesquit was hit by a pitch. Center fielder Chevy Clarke then singled to right field to grow the lead to 2-0. Two batters later, shortstop Wendell Soto added an RBI groundout for a 3-0 advantage. Velasquez completed five innings, allowing three hits, two walks and two earned runs while striking out six batters.

Right-hander Jamaine Cotton started the sixth inning with a 3-0 deficit and retired the first six batters he faced. He also struck out the side in the eighth inning to match a career high with six strikeouts. He allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning by Clarke, who reached third base but did not score. Cotton tossed four shutout innings and allowed just two hits.

The Bees bullpen opened in the seventh inning with right-hander Joseph Krehbiel, who issued Hernandez a one-out walk before second baseman Austin Elkins hit a single. Designated hitter Miles Hamblin lined out before Wierzbicki hit a two-out RBI single for his second hit of the game. He has four straight multi-hit games and is 9-for-17 with 9 RBIs in the home stand.

With a 3-1 lead, right-hander Kurt Spomer worked around a two-out single in the eighth inning, and right-hander Robert Powell pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save. The River Bandits left at least one runner on base in each inning except the fourth and ninth - for a total of 11 left on base. Quad Cities (36-30) went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

The River Bandits and Bees continue their series with a doubleheader Saturday. Game 1 begins at 6 p.m. and will feature River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor (4-1) opposing Bees left-hander Brandon Love (1-3). Quad Cities All-Star right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will start Game 2, with left-hander Tyler DeLoach making his Midwest League debut for Burlington. Each game is seven innings.

UP NEXT: "Team Ghost Riders" Cowboy Monkeys will be at Modern Woodmen Park for Saturday's doubleheader. It's also John Deere Night and a Fan Appreciation Saturday presented by CBS4. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the twin bill. 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.
14 Jun 2013

ASTROS SIGN NINE ADDITIONAL DRAFT PICKS

By Marco LaNave

Some of these players may be playing for the Quad Cities River Bandits in the very near future. - Ed.

Club has signed 13 of 40 selections from 2013 MLB Draft

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today the signing of nine selections from the 2013 MLB First Year Player Draft: 2B Tony Kemp (5th round), CF Jason Martin (8th round), SS Thomas Lindauer (23rd round), LHP Albert Minnis (25th round), RHP William Chrismon (26th round), RHP Pat Christensen (27th round), LHP Randall Fant (29th round), RHP Zachary Morton (32nd round) and RHP Tyler Brunnemann (40th round). Contract terms were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Astros Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias.

Kemp, 21, becomes the Astros highest selection to sign since last weekend's draft. A second baseman out of Vanderbilt, Kemp was this year's SEC Player of the Year after leading the SEC in batting average, on-base percentage, runs and stolen bases. He was also a first-team All-American and finished his season ranking second in the NCAA in hits and 13th in batting average. Kemp was signed by Astros Area Scout Nick Venuto.

"Tony has been the spark atop the Vanderbilt lineup the past few years and we are thrilled to add him to the Astros organization," said Elias. "He has been a success everywhere he has played and brings energy, game-changing speed and defensive versatility to the field every day. He has excited our scouts all year and we expect Astros fans will feel the same when they see him play."

Martin, 17, is the first high school player to sign with Houston. He played last year at Orange Lutheran HS in California and was named a Rawlings Third Team All-American and to the California All-Region First Team. Martin was signed by Astros Area Scout Brad Budzinski.

"Jason has what we call a 'strong profile' for a center fielder - he's fast, he's a left-handed hitter, he works good at-bats and he can hit - all ingredients to develop into a prototypical leadoff man one day," said Elias. "He impressed our scouting staff this spring with his consistent and energetic play and is only 17 years old, so we are looking forward to watching him grow and advance in our system."

The Astros have signed 13 of their 40 draft picks this season. The players agreeing to terms on contracts are listed below.
11 Jun 2013

FORMER RIVER BANDITS LEAD CHIEFS TO SWEEP

By Marco LaNave

Peoria moves one-half game ahead of Quad Cities for third place after third straight home win

PEORIA, Ill. (JUNE 10, 2013) - Former Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Hector Hernandez held this year's team to one run on seven hits in seven innings, and former four-year River Bandit Robert Stock earned his first professional save in a 5-1 Peoria Chiefs win at Dozer Park Monday night.

Hernandez (3-2) kept his former club scoreless for the first six innings, but the River Bandits (34-28) missed opportunities in the third, fourth and fifth innings and left 11 runners on base Monday. The visiting team left 22 on base in the series and was outscored 15-2.

In the third inning, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled, and left fielder Ruben Sosa reached on a bunt single. With two runners on base and no outs, second baseman Austin Elkins popped up a bunt. Then shortstop Carlos Correa lined out to right field, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki flied out to right field to end the threat. Quad Cities got a fourth-inning, two-out double by catcher Roberto Pena, followed by designated hitter Brian Blasik's single - the team's only hit in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position Monday. Quad Cities finished the three-game series 2-for-18 in such situations. Hector Hernandez fanned Teoscar Hernandez to keep the game scoreless through 3 ½ innings.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Chiefs left fielder and former River Bandit Jordan Walton hit a one-out single to right-center field, and third baseman Patrick Wisdom hit a two-out triple over the head of right fielder Terrell Joyce for the first run. Chiefs center fielder and former River Bandit Nick Martini lined a single to left field, scoring Wisdom for a 2-0 Chiefs lead. The River Bandits loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning, but Hector Hernandez struck out Joyce and third baseman Rio Ruiz.

The Chiefs (34-27) added three more runs in the fifth inning, as catcher Gerwuins Velazco and second baseman Breyvic Valera started the inning with back-to-back singles. After shortstop Ildemaro Vargas popped out on a bunt attempt, designated hitter Jacob Wilson drove a two-run double down the left-field line to extend the lead to 4-0. Two batters later, first baseman Jeremy Schaffer added an RBI single for a 5-0 advantage. Cotton allowed all the Chiefs runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings.

Quad Cities scored its only run in the seventh inning, as Sosa hit a leadoff single, stole second and third bases and scored on Correa's groundout. With a 5-1 deficit in the ninth inning, Sosa drew a one-out walk, and Elkins followed with a single off right-hander Joe Scanio. Stock then entered to face his former team for the first time since catching parts of three seasons and pitching one for the River Bandits. He allowed both runners to advance on a wild pitch before fanning Correa and Wierzbicki to end the game.

With the sweep, Peoria moved one-half game ahead of Quad Cites for third place in the Midwest League Western Division. With six days and seven games remaining for the River Bandits in the first half, they are four games behind second-place Beloit, which won its seventh straight game Monday. First-place Cedar Rapids is five games ahead of Quad Cities and begins a three-game series at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night. River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will face Kernels left-hander Hein Robb (0-0) at 7 p.m.

UP NEXT: Fireworks conclude Thrivent Night in the first game of the River Bandits home stand Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park. All tickets are buy-one-get-one free, kids eat free and fans can recycle a can or bottle of Mountain Dew at the gates for a free 16-ounce soda voucher on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. It'sreturn home for Thrivent Night at 7 p.m. TuesdaySingle-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.
10 Jun 2013

CHIEFS RUN AWAY FROM RIVER BANDITS, 9-1

By Marco LaNave

Rehabbing right-hander Jake Westbrook tosses seven innings to pull Chiefs within one-half game of Quad Cities

PEORIA, Ill. (JUNE 9, 2013) - Right-hander Jake Westbrook pitched seven innings of one-run ball for the Peoria Chiefs, who also got the first two Midwest League home runs by first baseman Jeremy Schaffer in a 9-1 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits Sunday night at Dozer Park.

Westbrook (1-0), the veteran on a rehab assignment for the St. Louis Cardinals, started by getting three groundouts on five pitches in the top of the first inning. The Chiefs then took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Shortstop Ildemaro Vargas reached first base when second baseman Brian Blasik bobbled a grounder, and second baseman Jacob Wilson and left fielder Jordan Walton followed with consecutive RBI doubles against right-hander Juan Minaya (0-1).

In his first Midwest League start, Minaya also allowed single runs in the third and fourth innings. Chiefs right fielder Breyvic Valera led off the third inning with a single, and after Wilson's second hit, Walton hit into a fielder's choice that brought home Valera. On Minaya's first pitch of the fourth inning, Schaffer launched a home run to the lawn beyond the left-center field fence for a 4-0 Peoria lead. It was the last of five hits against Minaya, who yielded three earned runs while striking out three batters in four innings.

Westbrook retired the first 14 batters and did not allow a ball to leave the infield until Blasik grounded a single through the hole between shortstop and third base with two outs in the fifth inning. River Bandits designated hitter Ariel Ovando followed with an opposite-field double over Walton in left field, scoring Blasik and extending Ovando's season-high hitting streak to seven games. But the Chiefs restored the lead to four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning against right-hander Jordan Jankowski. Wilson drew a two-out walk, Walton singled, and designated hitter Patrick Wisdom dropped a pop fly down the right field line to score Wilson and make it 5-1.

Westbrook allowed two more hits in the seventh inning, as first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki hit a leadoff single but was picked off at first base by Westbrook during the next batter. Quad Cities third baseman Rio Ruiz doubled to the right-field corner but was stranded at third base when Blasik grounded out to end the inning. Westbrook allowed four hits and no walks while striking out five batters. He got 14 groundouts and one foul popup to an infielder for the rest his outs.

Chiefs right-hander Thomas Lee allowed one hit and struck out three batters in two shutout innings, while the home team added four runs in the eighth inning against right-hander Richard Rodriguez, who allowed a home run by Schaffer and a two-run triple by Valera, who scored on a throwing error by Blasik to complete the four-run frame with a 9-1 Peoria lead.

Quad Cities is now three games behind second-place Beloit, which won both games of a doubleheader in Burlington Sunday. First-place Cedar Rapids is four games ahead of the River Bandits. After dropping a second straight game to seal its first road series loss in its last six, Quad Cities will try to avoid being swept on the road for the first time this season when they play at 7 p.m. Monday in Peoria. River Bandits right-hander Jamaine Cotton (1-2) is scheduled to face Chiefs and former River Bandits left-hander Hector Hernandez (2-2).

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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.
10 Jun 2013

CHIEFS WALK OFF AGAINST RIVER BANDITS, 1-0

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities drops 1.5 games behind second-place Beloit but remains just three back of first-place Cedar Rapids

PEORIA, Ill. (JUNE 8, 2013) - The first pitch of an intended ninth-inning intentional walk by Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Gera Sanchez got past catcher Roberto Pena and allowed Peoria Chiefs second baseman Jacob Wilson to score the only run of a 1-0 victory by the home team at Dozer Park Saturday night.

After Quad Cities (34-26) left the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings against right-hander Joe Donofrio, Sanchez started the ninth inning in a scoreless tie by walking Wilson. Left fielder Jordan Walton then pushed a bunt to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, and third baseman Rio Ruiz overran the ball, allowing Wilson to reach second and Walton to reach first with the Chiefs' sixth hit of the game. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom put down a successful sacrifice to move both runners. After a visit to the mound by manager Omar Lopez, Sanchez and Pena prepared to walk first baseman Jeremy Schaffer and load the bases. But Sanchez's first throw came closer to the plate than Pena expected, brushing the catcher's glove on the way to the backstop. Wilson raced home for the game's only run and first in 17 innings against Quad Cities pitchers.

River Bandits right-hander Mike Hauschild and Chiefs right-hander Joe Cuda matched scoreless frames for the first five innings, with Hauschild extending his personal scoreless streak to a team season-high 16 shutout innings. Cuda struck out eight batters, allowed just two hits and a hit batter, and prevented any runners from reaching second base through the first seven innings.

The eighth inning opened the bullpen for the Chiefs, as right-hander Sam Tuivailala allowed a one-out single by right fielder Ariel Ovando, who extended his season-high hitting streak to six games. Jordan Scott later drew a two-out walk, and second baseman Austin Elkins loaded the bases with an infield single. Right-hander Joe Donofrio (3-0) came in to face shortstop Carlos Correa and struck him out swinging to escape the jam. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain faced a jam when catcher Gerwuins Velazco walked and Elkins threw high to first base on a grounder by right fielder Breyvic Valera. But Cain got center fielder Nick Martini to pop up a bunt before an inning-ending double play.

Quad Cities knocked on the door against Donofrio in the ninth inning, as first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki singled, and third baseman Rio Ruiz reached on an error by shortstop Ildemaro Vargas. A two-out walk by left fielder Ruben Sosa loaded the bases before Donofrio's inning-ending strikeout of center fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Quad Cities had six of its eight runners left on come in the final two innings.

With a win by the Beloit Snappers at Burlington Saturday night, the River Bandits dropped 1 ½ games behind second place in the Midwest League Western Division with nine games remaining in the first half. First-place Cedar Rapids lost to Kane County, keeping Quad Cities three games behind the division leaders. The River Bandits continue the series in Peoria at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Dozer Park. Quad Cities is scheduled to see its first opposing major league rehab pitcher, with St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jake Westbrook taking the mound for Peoria.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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.

10 Jun 2013

BANDITS BULLPEN SILENCES KERNELS IN WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities closes within three games of first-place Cedar Rapids by taking rubber match on the road

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (JUNE 7, 2013) - Left-hander Mitchell Lambson and right-handers Lance McCullers and John Neely combined to pitch six no-hit innings following right-handed starter Daniel Minor, and the Quad Cities River Bandits went on to a 6-1 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in the deciding match of a three-game series at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday night.

After Quad Cities (34-25) and Cedar Rapids (37-22) scored a combined 33 runs in the first two games of their series, the River Bandits took a 6-1 lead over the Kernels through 4 ½ innings Friday. But neither team had a hit (although the teams combined for six walks and a hit batter) over the final 4 ½ innings of the finale. The River Bandits moved within three games of first-place Cedar Rapids with 10 and nine games respectively remaining for the two clubs.

Cedar Rapids opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, as Minor issued a one-out walk to left fielder J.D. Williams. Shortstop Jorge Polanco singled, and first baseman Dalton Hicks drove an RBI double to right-center field for a 1-0 lead. Hicks has nine hits - including five doubles and three home runs - and 10 RBIs in six games against Quad Cities this season. It was the only run against Minor, who went three innings and allowed four hits before Lambson started the fourth inning and struck out all three batters he faced.

The River Bandits took the lead in the third inning against right-handed starter Christian Powell (0-1), who had retired the first six batters in his Midwest League debut. Designated hitter Ariel Ovando extended a five-game hitting streak with a leadoff single, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez lined a double down the left-field line. With runners at second and third bases, right fielder Jordan Scott drilled a two-run triple to the right-center field gap. He later scored on a double by shortstop Carlos Correa down the third-base line, and Correa came home on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

In the fifth inning, Correa beat out an infielder chopper with one out, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki smacked an RBI double into the right-center field gap. Two batters later, catcher Roberto Pena made it 6-1 with a single to left field that was the final hit for either side.

McCullers (3-4) started the fifth inning and allowed two walks while striking out five batters in four shutout innings to earn his third win in as many outings. Neely had a strikeout, hit batter and game-ending double play in a scoreless ninth inning.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, June 8. 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, June 8. The River Bandits begin a three-game series in Peoria at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Dozer Park. Quad Cities right-hander Mike Hauschild (4-0) will start the opener against right-hander Joe Cuda (3-3).

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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.

07 Jun 2013

CORREA LAUNCHES BANDITS PAST KERNELS, 9-5

By Marco LaNave

On first night of 2013 First-Year Player Draft, 2012 No. 1 overall pick finishes triple shy of cycle

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (JUNE 5, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa had a home run, RBI single and three-run double in his first three plate appearances to post a five-RBI game that led his team to a 9-5 victory over the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

Less than 45 minutes after the Houston Astros made their first selection of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Correa - Houston's pick with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 draft - blasted a 2-1 pitch from right-hander Jose Berrios (4-3) deep to left field for his first homer since hitting two April 21 at Wisconsin. It was Correa's fourth Midwest League home run and the first allowed by Berrios this season.

The River Bandits (33-25) extended the lead in the second inning, as third baseman Rio Ruiz drew a walk, second baseman Austin Elkins singled and right fielder Ariel Ovando singled to load the bases. Left fielder Jordan Scott watched four balls to force in a run, and center fielder Ruben Sosa hit into a fielder's choice to bring in another. With Correa batting, Sosa took off for second base, and when the throw from catcher Jhonatan Arias went there, Ovando scampered home for a 3-0 lead. Correa then smacked a line drive that hit just a few feet below the top of the left-field wall, which allowed Sosa to score, although Correa was thrown out at second base on the play.

The Kernels (37-21) answered with the first batter in the bottom of the second inning, as first baseman Dalton Hicks homered to left field off right-hander Vincent Velasquez. It was the only run against Velasquez, who allowed five hits and a season-high three walks while striking out three batters in 4 2/3 innings.

Quad Cities extended the lead with another big inning in the fourth against Berrios with help from the Kernels defense. Catcher Jobduan Morales walked before two consecutive errors by second baseman Candido Pimentel loaded the bases with no outs. Correa stepped to the plate and bounced a ball down the third-base line into the left-field corner, allowing Morales, Scott and Sosa to score on a bases-clearing double. Berrios stayed in to fan designated hitter Miles Hamblin for the pitcher's sixth strikeout before walking first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki. Berrios went a season-low 3 1/3 innings while allowing season highs with nine runs, six earned runs and four walks.

With a 9-1 lead, Velasquez allowed a walk and two-out single before leaving with two outs in the fifth inning. Right-hander Jamaine Cotton (1-2) entered and got the final out before working three more innings. The Kernels scored two unearned runs in the seventh inning, and Hicks added his second home run leading off the eighth inning. Right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched the ninth inning and allowed another run to the Kernels, who out-hit Quad Cities, 10-6. The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Friday, June 7. 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 Friday, June 7.

The River Bandits will start right-hander Daniel Minor (3-1) in the rubber match against Kernels right-hander Christian Powell, who is scheduled to throw his first Midwest League pitch at 6:35 p.m. Friday.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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.
07 Jun 2013

ASTROS SELECT RHP MARK APPEL WITH FIRST-OVERALL PICK

By Marco LaNave

Pitcher drafted out of Stanford; available via conference call tonight

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have selected right-handed pitcher Mark Appel with the first pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced tonight.

Appel, 21, went 10-4 with four complete games and a 2.12 ERA as a senior this season at Stanford University. He recorded 130 strikeouts in his 106.1 innings pitched and allowed just a .203 opponent's batting average. Appel is one of just 10 semifinalists for the National Pitcher of the Year Award as named by the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Appel's been highly decorated in his four seasons at Stanford, having already won the Pitcher of the Year award in 2012. He is also a two-time Louisville Slugger first team All-American and is a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Howser Trophy. Last week, he was named first team All-Pac-12 Conference. Appel is also a Senior CLASS Award finalist and was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week twice this season.

Appel finished his Stanford career as the program's all-time strikeout leader and his 372 career strikeouts rank second among active NCAA hurlers. The Pac-12 Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season is sixth in program history with 28 career wins and fourth with 377.2 innings pitched.

"We're absolutely thrilled that this came to a conclusion today and that we selected Mark Appel with the first selection in the draft," said Luhnow. "We believe he is a premium talent and we  see him as a future potential ace. He's exactly the type of player that we need to be adding to the organization. He makes us significantly better and we believe this is a special player that is going to be a part of our championship team someday."

Appel becomes the third right-handed pitcher selected first overall in the draft in the last five years, joining Gerrit Cole (2011-PITT) and Stephen Strasburg (2009-WASH). He is also the third right-handed pitcher taken by Houston in the first round in the last five years, a list that also includes Lance McCullers (2012-supplemental) and Mike Foltynewicz (2010).

ABOUT THE FIRST PICK

MARK APPEL

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Height/Weight: 6-5/215

Age: 21

College: Stanford 

High School: Monte Vista HS (CA)

This year marks the fourth time that the Astros have had the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. The previous three times were in 2013 (SS Carlos Correa), 1992 (IF Phil Nevin) and 1976 (LHP Floyd Bannister). Houston has had the second overall pick once in their history, which came in 1969 (RHP J.R. Richard).


06 Jun 2013

CORREA, MCCULLERS WIN ASTROS' MAY HONORS

By Marco LaNave

Houston's top two picks from the 2012 draft win monthly honors one day after being named All-Stars

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 6, 2013) - Shortstop Carlos Correa is the Quad Cities River Bandits Player of the Month for May, and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers is 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 in-season minor league affiliates. These awards are chosen every month by the field staff of each team. For Correa and McCullers, the Astros' 2012 first-round draft picks, the awards come one day after they were named to their first professional All-Star Game, which will be June 18 in Dayton, Ohio.

Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, led the River Bandits in May with a .349 batting average, 30 hits, 38 total bases and 18 RBIs. He had six doubles, a triple and a .423 on-base percentage in 22 games, which including a career-high 10-game hitting streak May 11-19. He currently leads the River Bandits with 34 RBIs and 14 multi-hit games and is tied for the team lead with three home runs. On Wednesday, the 18-year-old Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, native was named the starting shortstop for the Western Division All-Stars and was the youngest player selected to the league's All-Star rosters.

McCullers, the Astros first supplemental round pick in 2012, earned his first career win May 28 to cap a month in which he had a 1.88 ERA in seven appearances, including four starts. In 24 innings, the 19-year-old Tampa, Fla., native struck out 26 batters. He posted a career-high nine strikeouts in five shutout innings at West Michigan May 5 and did not allow more than two earned runs in any May appearance. After winning his last start June 2 at Beloit, McCullers has a Midwest League-leading 1.70 ERA. He will be on the pitching staff for the Western Division All-Stars June 18.

Through Wednesday, the four active Astros minor league affiliates each have a winning record and are a combined 135-96 for a .584 winning percentage - the best among any organization's minor league system. Quad Cities is in third place in the Midwest League Western Division, while the other three affiliates - advanced Class-A Lancaster, Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Oklahoma City - are each in first place in their respective divisions.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

06 Jun 2013

HUGE INNING LEADS KERNELS TO WIN OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Byron Buxton has hits in each of his first five at-bats to lead 21-hit attack by Western Division leaders

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (JUNE 5, 2013) - Every hitter in the Cedar Rapids Kernels starting lineup had a hit and scored a run in order to start a 10-run, 12-hit fourth inning against the Quad Cities River Bandits, and the home team rallied from a 5-2 deficit to take a 14-5 victory Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Center fielder Byron Buxton finished 5-for-6 with two triples, a double and three runs scored to lead the Kernels (37-20), who moved five games ahead of the River Bandits (32-25) in the Midwest League Western Division first-half race. Shortstop Jorge Polanco went 4-for-6 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs, and first baseman Dalton Hicks had a game-high 4 RBIs with two doubles. In all, the Kernels had 21 hits, including six doubles and three triples.

Buxton started the Kernels offense with a leadoff single in the first inning against right-hander Jordan Jankowski, who allowed consecutive doubles by Polanco and Hicks for a 2-0 deficit. Quad Cities began its answer in the top of the second inning, as third baseman Rio Ruiz doubled, went to third base on a single by catcher Roberto Pena and scored on a groundout by designated hitter Brian Blasik. In the third inning, Ruiz added a game-tying RBI single, and Pena followed with a go-ahead double for a 3-2 lead. The River Bandits added two more runs in the fourth inning on shortstop Carlos Correa's RBI single and an RBI groundout from right fielder Terrell Joyce, against right-hander Alex Muren (4-0), who rebounded to pitch 3 2/3 scoreless innings for the Kernels.

With a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Jankowski allowed singles by catcher Michael Quesada and second baseman Candido Pimentel before Buxton bounced a ball over Ruiz's leap at third base to bring in a run and make it 5-3. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson (2-2) then entered and allowed six straight hits to each batter he faced, including Polanco's game-tying single, and Hicks' go-ahead double. After every Kernel had a hit with no outs, Lambson left with the River Bandits down 9-5. Right-hander Richard Rodriguez came on to get the three outs in the fourth inning but also allowed a two-run single by second baseman Candido Pimentel and another RBI single by Polanco. A total of 15 Kernels batted, with 12 recording hits to build a 12-5 lead.

Cedar Rapids added a run against Rodriguez in the fifth inning as Quesada hit an RBI single to bring in designated hitter Tyler Grimes following the latter's two-out triple. Right-hander Juan Minaya made his Midwest League debut by pitching the sixth through eighth innings and allowing a sixth-inning run, as Buxton tripled and scored on Hicks' sacrifice fly to make it 14-5.

Kernels pitchers faced one over the minimum for the final 5 2/3 innings, as right-handers Caleb Brewer and Tim Atherton each pitched a scoreless inning. Quad Cities had two hits against the Cedar Rapids bullpen after reaching starter Hein Robb for five runs on four hits in the first 3 1/3 innings.

The River Bandits will send right-hander Vincent Velasquez (4-2) against Kernels right-hander Jose Berrios (4-2) in Game 2 of the series at 6:35 p.m. Thursday in Cedar Rapids.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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.

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