04 May 2015

River Bandits Continue Hot Start fo Season

By Marco LaNave

BANDITS THRASH TIMBER RATTLERS, 10-1, FOR SWEEP

Quad Cities hits three doubles and three triples for sixth straight road win and best 24-game start since 1992

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 3, 2015) - Six Quad Cities River Bandits had two-hit games, and four players drove in two runs each, while right-hander Joe Musgrove went five shutout innings for his fourth win in a 10-1 victory that completed a three-game series sweep over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The first five batters in the River Bandits order - left fielder Bobby Boyd, first baseman Jamie Ritchie, center fielder Derek Fisher, second baseman Mott Hyde and third baseman Nick Tanielu - as well as shortstop Kristian Trompiz each had two hits. The first four batters each scored two runs, while Hyde, Tanielu, Trompiz and catcher Alfredo Gonzalez each drove in two runs.

By scoring a season-high 10 runs and matching a season high with 13 hits, first-place Quad Cities (18-6) swept its second straight road series and matched a season high with a fifth straight win overall. The club has its best record through 24 games since 1992.

For a second straight day, the River Bandits had their biggest inning in the first. Boyd led off the game by grounding a double down the third-base line, and Ritchie drew a walk against Timber Rattlers left-hander Kodi Medeiros (0-2). Fisher then grounded to first baseman David Denson, who dropped the ball, loading the bases with no outs. Medeiros walked Hyde on four pitches to score the first run, and Tanielu followed with a two-run single into right field. Gonzalez grounded into a fielder's choice for the first out, but Hyde scored to make it 4-0. Medeiros faced nine batters in the inning, which was the largest first inning for the River Bandits this season.

Wisconsin (8-16) never brought the tying run to the on-deck circle for the entire game. Musgrove (4-1) allowed a first-inning leadoff double to Milwaukee Brewers rehabbing second baseman Scooter Gennett, but a groundout, strikeout and flyout ended the inning. Musgrove also worked around lone singles in each of the next four innings to scatter five hits and strike out three batters without a walk. Gennett went 2-for-4 in his third game of a rehab assignment with Wisconsin. He singled in the third inning but also grounded into an inning-ending double play in the fifth inning. In the three-game series against Quad Cities, Gennett finished 3-for-8 with a double, run, RBI, walk, stolen base and sacrifice fly. He played all of Sunday's game at second base.

Medeiros held Quad Cities to a four-run lead until the fifth inning, when Hyde hit a leadoff single to center field and went to second base on a wild pitch. Tanielu hit an infield single with a ground ball deep to the shortstop hole, and Gonzalez walked to load the bases. Medeiros was then removed for right-hander Josh Uhen, who struck out designated hitter Alex Hernandez and right fielder Ryan Bottger before allowing Trompiz's two-run single to center field. Medeiros was charged with six runs - five earned - on six hits and four walks with one strikeout in four innings and three batters of work. Uhen allowed two more runs in the sixth inning, when Ritchie and Fisher hit consecutive singles, Hyde hit his Midwest League-leading 12th double, and Gonzalez brought in a run with a groundout.

Following Musgrove, River Bandits left-hander Bryan Radziewski began the sixth inning with an 8-0 lead. Timber Rattlers shortstop Greggory Munoz hit a leadoff single before designated hitter Dustin DeMuth grounded into a double play. Catcher Carlos Leal then doubled to right-center field and scored his team's only run on third baseman Tucker Neuhaus' RBI single to cut the lead to 8-1. Radziewski allowed a single and two walks to load the bases in the seventh before striking out DeMuth to end the inning. He retired the final seven batters in order to earn his first Midwest League save. Quad Cities pitchers have allowed seven total runs in the last six games.

Timber Rattlers right-hander David Burkhalter worked the final three innings and did not give up a hit until two outs in the ninth inning, when Trompiz hit his first triple since 2013, and Boyd and Ritchie followed with consecutive RBI triples to make it 10-1.

Now 10-2 in road games this season, the River Bandits open a three-game series in Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

BANDITS RACE TO 3-0 LEAD, TOP TIMBER RATTLERS

First-place Quad Cities improves to 9-2 on the road and clinches fourth straight road series

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 2, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits shortstop Mott Hyde had two doubles among a team-high three hits, and third baseman Nick Tanielu posted a season-high three RBIs on two doubles, including a two-run double in a three-run first inning that lifted his team to a 5-2 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Before Saturday's Kentucky Derby, the River Bandits (17-6) had a fast start against Timber Rattlers left-hander Zach Hirsch (1-3). Center fielder Derek Fisher had a one-out infield single on a hard ground ball off the glove of Hirsch, and Hyde lined a double down the left-field line to put two runners in scoring position. Tanielu then smacked the first pitch he saw from Hirsch to left-center field, scoring Fisher and Hyde. After first baseman Jacob Nottingham's groundout moved Tanielu to third base, second baseman Alex Hernandez lined an RBI single into center field to make it 3-0. The three-run first inning was Quad Cities' largest opening inning in 11 road games this season.

Spotted a three-run lead before taking the mound, River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer kept Wisconsin (8-15) scoreless for the first four innings. In the first inning, he allowed a one-out single to left fielder Mitch Meyer and issued a full-count walk to Milwaukee Brewers rehabbing second baseman Scooter Gennett, but designated hitter Sthervin Matos grounded to Hernandez who touched second base and threw to first base to end the inning. In the second inning, Hyde's two-out throwing error and a single by catcher Greg McCall put two runners on base before Comer struck out center fielder Monte Harrison. In the fourth inning, Comer allowed two singles to put runners at first and third bases with one out, but a strikeout by McCall and flyout by Harrison ended the inning.

Quad Cities added a run in the third inning, as Hyde doubled to left field and Tanielu doubled to left-center field on consecutive pitches from Hirsch to make it 4-0. Hyde's 11 doubles and 12 extra-base hits this season are both leading the Midwest League.

Wisconsin cut into the Quad Cities lead in the fifth inning, when shortstop Gregory Munoz hit a leadoff triple to center field, and Gennett brought him home with a sacrifice fly to left field. With two outs and the bases empty, Comer walked Matos and was removed from the game, as Quad Cities brought in left-hander Reymin Guduan (1-0) to make his Midwest League debut. Guduan began by allowing third baseman Tucker Neuhaus' RBI triple to right-center field before striking out right fielder Elvis Rubio to end the inning. Comer was charged with two earned runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

In the sixth inning, Guduan allowed a walk to first baseman David Denson and single by McCall before getting Harrison to ground into a double play and striking out Munoz. Guduan also got the first two batters in the eighth to work two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Hirsch lasted until the seventh inning, when right fielder Ryan Bottger hit a leadoff single into center field, left fielder Jason Martin sacrifice bunted him to second base, and a wild pitch moved him to third base before designated hitter Sean McMullen walked. Right-hander Gian Rizzo came in to face catcher Alfredo Gonzalez, who lined an RBI single into center field for a 5-2 Quad Cities lead. Hirsch was charged with all five earned runs on eight hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

River Bandits right-hander Eric Peterson pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings for his second save. He allowed two singles in the eighth inning before Harrison grounded into his second double play. Wisconsin outhit Quad Cities for a second straight game and managed a hit in eight different innings, but the team went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base, including at least one every inning.

With its fifth straight road win, and fourth straight win overall, Quad Cities clinched a fourth straight road series to open the season and has its best record through 23 games since beginning 18-5 in 1992.

MARTIN, BANDITS SNEAK BY TIMBER RATTLERS, 2-1

Quad Cities pitchers keep Wisconsin from scoring over the final eight innings of series opener

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 1, 2015) - In his Midwest League debut, Quad Cities River Bandits left fielder Jason Martin brought in both his team's runs with a fourth-inning, bases-loaded walk and a sixth-inning RBI single, and left-hander Chris Lee earned his first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Friday night.

Quad Cities (16-6) improved to 4-0 in road series openers and won its third straight game overall to open a season-high three-game lead for first place in the Western Division over Burlington (13-8), which lost in Peoria Friday night.

Despite managing only five hits in the series opener, the River Bandits drew eight walks with seven strikeouts on offense. Timber Rattlers right-hander Victor Diaz began the game with back-to-back walks to right fielder Bobby Boyd and first baseman Jamie Ritchie. But Diaz struck out center fielder Derek Fisher before getting designated hitter Mott Hyde to fly out and catcher Jacob Nottingham to ground into a fielder's choice. In the bottom of the first inning, rehabbing Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett bounced a leadoff single into center field, went to second on a groundout and scored when third baseman Sthervin Matos lined a two-out RBI single to left-center field. It was the only run against Lee (1-2), who worked a season-high five innings, allowing six hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

In the second inning, Lee worked around a one-out double by catcher Carlos Leal with a groundout and strikeout. In the third inning, center fielder Monte Harrison reached on a one-out infield single and went to second base on a sacrifice, but Matos lined out to third baseman Kristian Trompiz to end the inning. In the fourth inning, Lee allowed back-to-back one-out singles to put runners at first and third bases but threw out a runner at home plate on a squeeze bunt attempt. In the fifth inning, Gennett reached first base when Ritchie came off the base to catch a throw, and Lee hit Matos with a two-out pitch before a groundout by designated hitter Tucker Neuhaus ended the inning.

Diaz kept the 1-0 lead for the home team until the fourth inning, when Hyde reached on Gennett's errant throw to first base and went to third base when Gennett missed shortstop Luis Aviles' throw to second base on a one-out ground ball hit by River Bandits second baseman Alex Hernandez. Trompiz worked a nine-pitch walk to load the bases before Martin drew a walk that brought Hyde home with the tying run. Diaz was then removed for left-hander Tyler Linehan, who got a strikeout and fielder's choice groundout to strand the bases loaded in a 1-1 tie. Diaz was charged with one unearned run on one hit and five walks with one strikeout in 3 1/3 innings.

After Linehan worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, right-hander Mark Williams allowed Hyde's two-out triple in the fifth inning, before getting Nottingham to ground out to end the inning. The 1-1 tie remained for right-hander Cy Sneed (1-2), who began the sixth inning by allowing a single to Hernandez. With one out and Martin at bat, Hernandez stole second base and went to third base when Leal's throw went into center field. Two pitches later, with the infield in, Martin lined his first Midwest League hit to center field to score Hernandez for a 2-1 lead. Sneed escaped the inning after Martin was caught stealing, and the Timber Rattlers reliever went on keep Quad Cities scoreless the rest of the way on three walks and one hit - Fisher's two-out, ninth-inning triple past first baseman David Denson - over four innings.

River Bandits right-hander Keegan Yuhl began the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead. He allowed a leadoff single by right fielder Elvis Rubio but promptly picked Rubio off first base. Yuhl did not allow another hit until Neuhaus grounded a one-out double down the third-base line in the eighth inning. After Rubio flied out, right-hander Ryan Thompson entered with two outs and walked Leal before getting Denson as a pinch hitter to ground out. It was the only time Wisconsin put the tying run in scoring position against the Quad Cities bullpen. Thompson allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning before striking out the next three batters for his first Midwest League save

BANDITS' POWER, PITCHING GAIN SERIES WIN

Derek Fisher hits his league-leading fifth home run, and Jacob Nottingham hits his fourth

DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 30, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits first baseman Jacob Nottingham hit a second-inning solo home run, center fielder Derek Fisher hit a third-inning, two-run home run, and right-hander Joshua James tossed four scoreless relief innings to earn the win in his team's 4-2, rubber match victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 2,808 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.

Finishing April with its best 21-game start since 2001, Quad Cities (15-6) maintained a two-game lead in first place of the Midwest League Western Division standings over Burlington (13-8). In the three games against Cedar Rapids, River Bandits pitchers allowed three runs - all unearned - in 29 innings.

On Thursday, Kernels center fielder Zack Granite led off the game against River Bandits right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn with a ground-ball double down the third-base line and went to third base when shortstop Nick Gordon grounded out. Dykxhoorn escaped the jam by striking out designated hitter Zack Larson and getting left fielder Trey Vavra on a popout caught by Nottingham along the first-base dugout railing.

In the second inning, Kernels right fielder Max Murphy hit a leadoff double to left-center field, but Dykxhoorn struck out third baseman T.J. White, and catcher Brett Doe lined out to third baseman Alex Hernandez. Dykxhoorn did not allow a Kernels runner in scoring position through the third and fourth innings, getting help from a double play.

Nottingham opened the scoring with one out in the bottom of the second inning, when he hammered a 3-0 pitch from right-hander John Curtiss (2-1) to the Miller Lite Party Deck in right field for his fourth home run of the season, which momentarily tied him with Fisher for the team and league lead. In the third inning, catcher Jamie Ritchie hit a one-out single and stole second base before Fisher ended an 11-pitch battle with Curtiss by sending his league-leading fifth home run over the right-center field wall for a 3-0 Quad Cities lead.

The Kernels (12-9) snapped a 13-inning scoreless streak by Quad Cities pitchers in the fifth inning. Doe led off with a double, and with one out left fielder Zack Granite grounded to second baseman Mott Hyde, whose errant throw allowed Granite to reach first base and Doe to score. With a 3-1 lead, Dykxhoorn was removed for right-hander Jose Montero. When Granite stole second base, Ritchie's throw went into center field, allowing Granite to reach third base, and Gordon's groundout scored Granite to cut the lead to 3-2. Both runs were unearned against Dykxhoorn, who allowed three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

After Curtiss yielded three earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts in the first four innings, Kernels left-hander Sam Clay began the bottom of the fifth inning with a 3-2 deficit. Shortstop Kristian Trompiz worked a leadoff walk, and Clay's high school teammate and fellow Buford, Ga., native Jamie Ritchie lined an 0-2 single through the middle for his game-high third hit. A walk to Fisher loaded the bases, before designated hitter Nick Tanielu grounded out to second base to bring in Trompiz. Then Hyde, Clay's college teammate at Georgia Tech, drew a full-count walk to reload the bases before Clay got Nottingham to ground out and end the inning.

James (1-0) began the sixth inning with a 4-2 lead and allowed a leadoff infield single to the left side by Kernels first baseman Tyler Kuresa, who went to second base on a passed ball. But James responded by retiring the next 11 Kernels in order and 12 of 13 to finish the game. Doe was hit by a pitch with two outs in the ninth inning before James struck out second baseman Jonatan Hinojosa to end the game. James allowed only one hit and hit one batter while striking out five in four shutout innings.

BANDITS SHUT OUT KERNELS FOR GUARANTEED WIN

Quad Cities scores twice each in the sixth and seventh innings to force first rubber match of the season

DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 29, 2015) - One day after losing their first shutout of the season, the Quad Cities River Bandits notched their first shutout win, with right-handers Daniel Mengden and Austin Chrismon combining for a 4-0 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Guaranteed Win Night in front of 1,343 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

With its quickest nine-inning home game of the season - two hours, seven minutes - Quad Cities (14-6) evened the three-game series against Cedar Rapids (12-8) and restored its Western Division first-place lead to two games over the Kernels and Burlington (12-8).

In his first start at Modern Woodmen Park, Mengden limited the Kernels to three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five shutout innings. In the first inning, he worked around a two-out single by Kernels right fielder Zack Larson. In the second inning, he allowed a one-out single by third baseman T.J. White, but second baseman Pat Kelly grounded into an inning-ending double play - the first of three turned in the game by Quad Cities.

The River Bandits had their first scoring chance in the second inning against Kernels left-hander Mat Batts (2-1). Third baseman Nick Tanielu and designated hitter Jacob Nottingham began the inning with back-to-back singles to right field to put runners at first and third bases. Batts then struck out first baseman Bryan Muñiz and left fielder Jorge Martinez. When the latter's third strike went in the dirt, Nottingham ran toward second base, drawing a throw from catcher Brian Navarreto. Tanielu then ran from third base toward home, but shortstop Nick Gordon threw back to Navarreto to get Tanielu for the inning's final out.

Mengden went on to work around a walk in the third inning and single in the fourth inning. In the fifth inning, center fielder Tanner English drew a two-out walk but was thrown out trying to steal second base by catcher Alfredo Gonzalez.

In the sixth inning, Chrismon (2-1) allowed a leadoff single by left fielder Zack Granite before getting Gordon to ground into a double play. He walked Larson before getting an inning-ending popout. In the bottom of the inning, River Bandits shortstop Kristian Trompiz hit a leadoff fly ball down the right-field line that Larson appeared to lose in the sky, before it dropped inside the right-field line for a double. Center fielder Bobby Boyd then put a sacrifice to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, where Batts fielded the ball and overthrew first base, allowing Trompiz to score and Boyd to reach second base. Gonzalez then sacrificed Boyd to third base, and with the infield in, second baseman Mott Hyde hit an RBI single to center field to make it 2-0.

In the seventh inning, Batts began by allowing consecutive singles to Nottingham and Muñiz, putting runners at first and third bases. Martinez then brought in Nottingham with a ground ball to the right of second base, where Muñiz avoided the tag of Kelly, who threw to first base for one out. Right fielder Ryan Bottger then grounded a double down the third-base line to score Muñiz for a 4-0 Quad Cities lead. Batts was removed after allowing four runs - three earned - on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Chrismon held the 4-0 lead without allowing a runner into scoring position in the final two innings. In the eighth, Granite hit a leadoff single before Gordon grounded into his second double play. In the ninth, White collected his game-high third hit with a two-out single before Chrismon struck out Kelly looking to end the game. Chrismon allowed four hits and two walks while striking out three batters in four innings. All seven Kernels hits were lone singles in seven different innings.

29 Apr 2015

KERNELS OUTLAST BANDITS, 1-0 IN 11 INNINGS

By Marco LaNave
Top two Western Division teams go a combined 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 28, 2015) - After 10 scoreless innings Tuesday, the Cedar Rapids Kernels loaded the bases with a  single and  two errors in the top of the 11th inning, and Kernels third baseman T.J. White hit a sacrifice fly to right field that was the only run of a 1-0 final over the Quad Cities River Bandits in front of 2,079 at Modern Woodmen Park.
The River Bandits (13-6) committed four errors in their first loss when out-hitting an opponent this season, but they hold a one-game lead over the Kernels (12-7) in the Western Division standings. It was Quad Cities' first 1-0 loss since Game 1 of a home doubleheader last Aug. 29 against Clinton. The 1-0, extra-inning loss was the club's first since a 10-inning defeat at Kane County April 14, 2011.
In the deciding 11th inning, Kernels right fielder Zack Larson hit a leadoff single to left field against River Bandits right-hander Joe Musgrove (3-1). First baseman Trey Vavra bunted along the first-base line, where Musgrove could not cleanly pick up the ball and threw late to first base. With runners at first and second bases, designated hitter Max Murphy bunted to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound,  and Musgrove threw to third baseman Nick Tanielu, who was judged to have come off the base before recording a putout of Larson. Musgrove was charged with an error on both bunt plays, and with the bases loaded and no outs, White hit a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Bottger, and Larson beat the throw home for the game's only run. Musgrove retired the next two batters and finished a season-high six innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits and no walks with one strikeout.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, River Bandits left fielder Sean McMullen hit a one-out single to right field against Kernels right-hander Trevor Hildenberger, who then got second baseman Kristian Trompiz to ground into a game-ending double play. The two teams combined to leave 21 runners on base while going 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position in the game.
Cedar Rapids had the game's first scoring threat in the first inning against River Bandits left-hander Bryan Radziewski. Left fielder Zack Granite and shortstop Nick Gordon began the game with back-to-back singles, and Radziewski hit Murphy with a pitch to load the bases with two outs before getting White to ground into a fielder's choice. It was the closest Cedar Rapids came to scoring against Radziewski, who tossed five innings, allowing two hits and no walks with four strikeouts.
The River Bandits put two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first inning, as Kernels right-hander Jared Wilson walked first baseman Jamie Ritchie with one out and allowed a single by designated hitter Mott Hyde, who led Quad Cities with three hits in the game. Around a wild pitch that put both runners in scoring position, Wilson got consecutive flyouts to escape the inning. Quad Cities also put a runner at third base in the third and fourth innings. Hyde hit a third-inning, two-out double and went to third base on a wild pitch before Wilson got catcher Jacob Nottingham to fly out. McMullen hit a fourth-inning, one-out triple, but Wilson struck out Trompiz and got shortstop Thomas Lindauer to fly out. Wilson allowed four hits and four walks with two strikeouts in five innings.
Musgrove began the sixth inning and escaped scoring threats in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, White and Kelly hit back-to-back singles before Musgrove caught a bunt, leaped off the mound to field a ground ball and got a flyout to end the inning. In the eighth, Larson hit a one-out triple and tried to score on Vavra's ground ball over the mound, but Trompiz threw to Nottingham to tag out Larson.
After Wilson, Kernels right-hander Randy LeBlanc worked three shutout innings with three strikeouts, and left-hander Cam Booser (1-0) struck out three batters while escaping runners at first and second bases in both the ninth and 10th innings.
The River Bandits continue their series with Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden (1-1) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Mat Batts (2-0).
UP NEXT: The Bandits guarantee a win over Cedar Rapids, or all fans in attendance will receive a voucher for a general admission ticket for Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. against Kane County. Two lucky fans will have their bills paid up to $100 on Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by Mix 96. IHMVCU members can get Buy-One-Get-One tickets at the box office. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
27 Apr 2015

BANDITS WIN IN 12 INNINGS TO SPLIT WITH BEES

By Marco LaNave

Burlington takes seven-inning Game 1, 4-2, and Quad Cities rallies for 7-6 win in 12-inning Game 2

DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 26, 2015) - Within a strike of being swept in a home doubleheader Sunday, the Quad Cities River Bandits got a seventh-inning, game-tying RBI single by left fielder Jorge Martinez, and a walk-off sacrifice fly by shortstop Thomas Lindauer in the 12th inning of a 7-6 Game 2 win that gained the club a split with the Burlington Bees in front of 1,955 at Modern Woodmen Park.

After dropping a 4-2, seven-inning final in Game 1 Sunday afternoon for their first consecutive losses of the season, the first-place River Bandits (13-5) overcame deficits of 2-1, 5-4 and 6-5 for their first walk-off win of the season, which gave them a two-game lead over Burlington (11-7) and Cedar Rapids (11-7) in the Western Division standings.

Burlington held the lead for all of Game 1 after a two-out, two-run double by catcher Wade Wass in the first inning against River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee (0-2). Quad Cities scored on a first-inning RBI single by third baseman Nick Tanielu, but the Bees extended the lead to 3-1 on an RBI single by first baseman Ryan Seiz in the third inning against Lee, who allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in the first four innings. Right-hander Eric Peterson gave Quad Cities 2 1/3 relief innings but yielded an RBI double in the seventh inning to Wass before left-hander Albert Minnis got the final two outs to keep the River Bandits within 4-2. Bees right-hander Michael Bolaski (1-2) held Quad Cities to two earned runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts in six innings to earn the win, and right-hander Eduardo Paredes struck out the side in the seventh inning for his Midwest League-leading fourth save.

In the second game, the River Bandits took the lead in the first inning, as center fielder Bobby Boyd began his three-hit game with a single and eventually scored on Tanielu's RBI single against right-hander Justin Anderson. But the Bees never trailed for more than a half inning against River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer. In the second inning, right fielder Natanael Delgado singled and scored when Martinez misplayed Seiz's double in left field. Bees left fielder Exicardo Cayones singled home Seiz for a 2-1 Burlington lead.

The River Bandits retook the lead in the third inning, when designated hitter Jamie Ritchie walked, went to second base on a sacrifice and scored following singles by Tanielu and catcher Alfredo Gonzalez. First baseman Bryan Muñiz later capped the three-run inning with a two-out, two-run, go-ahead double to left field. Trailing 4-2, the Bees answered in the top of the fourth inning by putting the first four batters on base with three singles and a hit batter. Cayones hit an RBI single, and a ground-ball double play tied the game before a wild pitch scored the go-ahead run. The River Bandits retied the game in the bottom of the inning, as Boyd doubled and scored on Ritchie's RBI single to chase Anderson, who yielded five earned runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.

Bees second baseman Andrew Daniel broke the 5-5 tie with a fifth-inning, leadoff home run off Comer, who lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on a career-high 11 hits with two strikeouts. Quad Cities relievers followed with 6 1/3 scoreless innings from right-handers Keegan Yuhl (2 1/3), Ryan Thompson (3) and Jose Montero (1), who earned his first win by working around two walks in the 12th inning.

After 2 2/3 scoreless innings by Bees right-hander Ronnie Muck, right-hander Jordan Piche got the first two outs in the seventh inning before right fielder Ryan Bottger, Muñiz and Martinez hit consecutive singles to tie the game, 6-6. With the winning run at third base, Piche got Lindauer to ground out to end the inning. The bullpens dueled until the bottom of the 12th inning, when Bees right-hander Alex Klonowski (0-2) allowed a leadoff base hit by Gonzalez, who gained a triple when center fielder Michael Hermosillo stumbled and did not reach the ball before it went to the wall. Two intentional walks around a groundout loaded the bases with one out, before Lindauer flied to right field, and Gonzalez beat Delgado's throw home for the winning run - six hours and 20 minutes after the doubleheader began.

After the first league-wide scheduled off day Monday, the River Bandits open a three-game series with Cedar Rapids at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Bryan Radziewski (1-0) is scheduled to face Kernels right-hander Jared Wilson (2-0).

UP NEXT: Participants in the Book Buddies program will be at Modern Woodmen Park for the 11 a.m. game Tuesday. Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5 means all regular tickets are buy-one-get-one free, and fans who bring an old can of Mountain Dew to the ballpark can receive a voucher for a free 16-ounce Mountain Dew. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

24 Apr 2015

BANDITS GET FIRST SWEEP IN PEORIA SINCE 2011

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities overcomes 3-0 deficit to achieve its best 15-game start since 2001

 

PEORIA, Ill. (April 23, 2015) - The Peoria Chiefs took a 3-0 lead through the first four innings Thursday night, but the Quad Cities River Bandits scored once in the fifth and sixth innings, and twice in the eighth inning, and right-hander Daniel Mengden pitched four scoreless relief innings for his first professional win in a 4-3 victory and the club's first series sweep at Dozer Park since Aug. 24-26, 2011.

The three-run deficit was the largest erased by Quad Cities (12-3) this season. The club has eight comeback wins and sole possession of the Midwest League Western Division lead for a sixth straight day. The team has won 12 of its first 15 games for the first time since 2001.

Chiefs right-hander Daniel Poncedeleon, who beat Quad Cities April 11, pitched a perfect first inning. In the bottom of the first inning against Quad Cities right-hander Austin Chrismon, Chiefs shortstop Oscar Mercado chopped an infield single to third baseman Kristian Trompiz, who threw past first base to allow Mercado to reach second base. Mercado then stole third base and scored an unearned run on a groundout by third baseman Andrew Sohn for a 1-0 Peoria lead.

In the second inning, Poncedeleon began by allowing back-to-back singles by designated hitter Mott Hyde and first baseman Jacob Nottingham before retiring the next three batters. In the third inning with two outs, Poncedeleon allowed a single by catcher Alfredo Gonzalez and double by right fielder Sean McMullen but escaped the jam when Hyde flied out to left field.

The Chiefs (8-7) added to their lead in the fourth inning, when Sohn and first baseman Justin Ringo started with back-to-back singles. Chrismon got a flyout and struck out designated hitter Alex DeLeon on a wild pitch that moved Sohn and Ringo into scoring position. With the infield shifted against catcher Steve Bean, a ground ball to the right side brought second baseman Alex Hernandez charging in from shallow right field, but he threw past first base, bringing in both Sohn and Ringo to make it 3-0. Chrismon retired the next four batters to finish five innings, allowing three unearned runs on five hits and no walks with six strikeouts.

Quad Cities' comeback began against Poncedeleon in the fifth inning, when shortstop Thomas Lindauer drew a one-out walk. With two outs, Lindauer stole his first base of the season on a 0-2 pitch to catcher Alfredo Gonzalez, who worked a 3-2 count and hit the ninth pitch of the at-bat to right field for an RBI single. In the sixth inning, Hyde hit a leadoff double and went to third base on Poncedeleon's wild pitch before scoring on Nottingham's groundout to cut the deficit to 3-2. Hernandez then singled to end Poncedeleon's start after he had allowed two earned runs on seven hits and one walk with seventh strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Tyler Bray (1-1) retired the next two batters to end the inning.

With the visitors trailing, 3-2, Lindauer began the go-ahead rally in the seventh inning with a leadoff single to left field against Bray. Center fielder Bobby Boyd sacrificed Lindauer to second base, and Gonzalez drew a four-pitch walk. Bray was removed for left-hander Nick Lomascolo, whose first pitch got past Bean for a passed ball that allowed both runners to advance. McMullen popped up for the second out, but Hyde worked a walk, with the last pitch being wild through the legs of Bean to allow Lindauer to score the tying run and Gonzalez to reach third base. With Nottingham at bat, Lomascolo threw another wild pitch that scored Gonzalez for the go-ahead run. Both runs were charged to Bray, while Lomascolo had a blown save for his outing of 1 2/3 hitless innings with three walks and two wild pitches.

After losing a start April 11 at Dozer Park, Mengden (1-1) began the sixth inning with a deficit but had a lead in the seventh. In the eighth and ninth innings, Peoria put the leadoff batter on base and advanced him with a sacrifice and groundout to third base with two outs, but Mengden struck out Ringo to end the eighth inning and got pinch hitter Danny Diekroeger to ground out to Hernandez to end the game.

The River Bandits open a six-game, seven-day homestand at 7 p.m. Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. In the opener of a three-game series with Burlington, River Bandits right-hander Joshua James (0-0) is scheduled to face Bees left-hander Sean Newcomb (1-0).

UP NEXT: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR present the first Friday Fireworks of the season following the 7 p.m. game Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. It is also Legends of Rock Night for the opener of the six-game, seven-day homestand. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.

*****

24 Apr 2015

Fireworks Friday & Legends of Rock Night kicks off 6-game homestand!

By Marco LaNave
Friday night will be rocking, rolling, and booming for Legends of Rock Night AND the first Fireworks Friday presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR! Wear your best old rock shirts to receive $1 off tickets! QC Rock Academy will be performing outside the gates, which open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. homestand opener. More »
23 Apr 2015

BANDITS USE 3 HOMERS TO SURGE PAST CHIEFS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities maintains first place in the Western Division with an 11-3 record

PEORIA, Ill. (April 22, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Joe Musgrove matched a career high with nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings to become the Midwest League's first three-game winner this season, thanks to home runs by catcher Jacob Nottingham, right fielder Ryan Bottger and left fielder Jorge Martinez in a 6-2 victory at Dozer Park Wednesday.

Winning for the fourth time in five games in Peoria, Quad Cities (11-3) kept sole possession of first place in the Western Division for a fifth straight day. The club clinched its fifth straight series victory to open the season. Quad Cities last won five straight regular season series at the end of the 2013 season from Aug. 17 to Sept. 2.

In a game that began less than 13 hours after the teams finished playing Tuesday night, Chiefs left-hander Austin Gomber (1-2) worked a perfect top of the first inning, which ended with center fielder Derek Fisher grounding out to second base. Fisher slowed up after running through first base on the play and was removed from the game before taking the field. Bottger came in to replace him in the lineup.

In the bottom of the inning against Musgrove (3-0), Chiefs leadoff batter Magneuris Sierra reached on an error by shortstop Kristian Trompiz, went to second base on a passed ball by Nottingham, advanced to third on a flyout by shortstop Oscar Mercado and scored on a groundout by third baseman Danny Diekroeger.

Gomber held the lead until three batters into the top of the second inning. He walked second baseman Mott Hyde with one out, and then Nottingham drove his third home run of the season over the yellow line above the ivy in center field for a 2-1 Quad Cities lead. Gomber retired the next five batters before Bottger led off the fourth inning by hitting the first pitch of the inning to the left field berm for his first Midwest League home run since last Aug. 5. Then in the fifth inning, shortstop Kristian Trompiz singled to left field, and left fielder Jorge Martinez launched his second home run of the season - and first right-handed - to left field for a 5-1 advantage. After Gomber did not allow a home run in his first two starts of the year, the three against him Wednesday matched the total he allowed in the 2014 season.

The River Bandits added their only non-home run tally in the sixth inning against Gomber, as Hyde drew a one-out walk, and third baseman Alex Hernandez lined a two-out RBI double to left field against former River Bandit and third-year Chiefs right-hander Jhonny Polanco. Gomber was charged with six earned runs on four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

In his longest outing of the season, Musgrove worked around four hits and struck out seven batters in the first five innings without allowing Peoria another run. After he struck out the first two batters in the sixth inning, however, Diekroeger drew a walk - the first allowed in 14 2/3 innings this season by Musgrove - and designated hitter Justin Ringo drove an RBI double to right field. Musgrove left the mound after allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits and one walk. Right-hander Keegan Yuhl came in to retire the next four batters for a scoreless 1 1/3-inning outing.

The Chiefs bullpen of Polanco and right-hander Robby Rowland combined to pitch 3 1/3 shutout innings with six strikeouts. Quad Cities struck out a season-high 14 times. The River Bandits used right-hander Ryan Thompson to retire the final six batters. For a second straight day, River Bandits pitchers did not allow a Chiefs base runner after the sixth inning.

The River Bandits have won the first two games of each of their five series this season. However, they are 1-3 in series finales and conclude their series in Peoria at 7 p.m. Thursday. Right-hander Austin Chrismon (1-1) is scheduled to face Chiefs right-hander Daniel Poncedeleon (1-0), who defeated Quad Cities April 11 at Dozer Park.

UP NEXT: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR present the first Friday Fireworks of the season following the 7 p.m. game Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. It is also Legends of Rock Night for the opener of the six-game, seven-day homestand. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.

*****

23 Apr 2015

BANDITS OUTLAST CHIEFS FOR COMEBACK WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities maintains first place in the Western Division with a 10-3 record

PEORIA, Ill. (April 21, 2015) - With one out in the eighth inning of a game in which neither team had more than a one-run lead Tuesday night, Quad Cities River Bandits first baseman Jamie Ritchie hit a game-tying triple, and center fielder Derek Fisher hit a go-ahead single that proved to be the deciding run in a 4-3 win over the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Park.

Beginning its second series in 15 days in Peoria, Quad Cities (10-3) won its fifth straight series opener to begin the season. The club continued its best start in five years to maintain first place in the Midwest League Western Division standings by one game over Cedar Rapids (9-4) and two over Peoria (8-5) and Burlington (8-5).

The River Bandits opened the scoring in the top of the second inning against Chiefs right-hander Luis Perdomo. Designated hitter Sean McMullen placed a bunt on the third-base side, and Perdomo overthrew first base, allowing McMullen to reach second base. Catcher Alfredo Gonzalez then singled to right field to score McMullen, before Perdomo struck out the next three batters to end the inning.

Peoria answered with a run in the bottom of the second inning against River Bandits left-hander Bryan Radziewski. Right fielder Collin Radack singled to right field and scored on a two-out triple to right-center field by catcher Luis Cruz. The Chiefs later took their first lead in the third inning, when third baseman Danny Diekroeger doubled down the left-field line with two outs and scored on designated hitter Nick Thompson's RBI single. Radziewski then worked around singles in the fourth and fifth innings to complete a career-high five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts.

The River Bandits tied the game in the fourth inning against Perdomo. With one out, right fielder Ryan Bottger singled to right field, second baseman Kristian Trompiz singled to left field, and shortstop Thomas Lindauer walked to load the bases. Perdomo struck out left fielder Bobby Boyd but then walked Ritchie to force in the tying run. Perdomo then got Fisher to fly out to end the inning. It was the first of three times Quad Cities left the bases loaded on a night when the team left a season-high 15 runners on base.

Perdomo lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs - one earned - on six hits and two walks with a career-high 10 strikeouts. Right-hander Blake McKnight followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, working around one hit and two walks.

River Bandits right-hander Eric Peterson (1-0) began the bottom of the sixth inning in a 2-2 tie. Thompson hit a leadoff single to left field, and first baseman Alex DeLeon hit a one-out single to left field. Cruz then blooped a single over Trompiz into  shallow center field, from where Fisher tried to throw out Thompson at third base. But the throw went past third baseman Nick Tanielu to foul territory, causing Thompson to run toward home plate. Tanielu threw to catcher Alfredo Gonzalez, but Thompson scored the go-ahead run for a 3-2 Peoria lead. Peterson retired the next five batters to complete two innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits with two strikeouts.

The pivotal eighth inning came against Chiefs right-hander Zach Loraine (0-2), who started his outing by getting Lindauer to open the inning with a popout. Boyd then drove a double off the right-field wall and went to third base on a wild pitch. With the infield in, Ritchie lined his first triple of the season down the first-base line to tie the game. With the infield in again, Fisher grounded a 3-2 pitch through the right side of the infield to score Ritchie. Loraine was removed after one-third of an inning, charged with two earned runs on three hits. Right-hander Kyle Grana entered to walk two batters to load the bases before escaping the inning, and he added a scoreless ninth inning.

River Bandits right-hander Jose Montero held the 4-3 lead by retiring all six batters in the eighth and ninth innings for his third save.

The River Bandits continue their series in Peoria at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Dozer Park. Right-hander Joe Musgrove (2-0) is scheduled to face Chiefs left-hander Austin Gomber (1-1), in a matchup of pitchers who had opposite decisions in the teams' April 10 meeting.

UP NEXT: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR present the first Friday Fireworks of the season following the 7 p.m. game Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. It is also Legends of Rock Night for the opener of the six-game, seven-day homestand. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

21 Apr 2015

BANDITS SQUANDER CHANCE TO SWEEP COUGARS

By Marco LaNave
Derek Fisher hits his fourth home run, while Kristian Trompiz finishes with six hits in the three-game series
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 21, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits jumped to a 3-0 lead over the Kane County Cougars in the first inning Monday night, but the visitors capitalized on three errors, two passed balls and a wild pitch to score four unearned runs and come back for an 8-6 win that spoiled the River Bandits' attempt at a series sweep in front of 919 at Modern Woodmen Park.
After River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer worked around a single for a scoreless top of the first inning, his teammates spotted him three runs against Cougars left-hander Jared Miller. Center fielder Bobby Boyd led off with a bunt single - his fifth straight game in which he has led off with a hit - and went to second base on a groundout. After left fielder Derek Fisher walked, third baseman Nick Tanielu lined an RBI single into center field, and shortstop Mott Hyde added an RBI single to left-center field. Designated hitter Ryan Bottger reached on an error by third baseman Cody Regis to load the bases, and first baseman Jacob Nottingham's RBI groundout made it 3-0.
Comer worked a perfect second inning with two strikeouts but allowed Kane County (4-8) to begin its comeback in the third inning. Designated hitter Josh Elander drew a leadoff walk, and a pickoff throw eluded Nottingham at first base, allowing Elander to reach third base. River Bandits third baseman Nick Tanielu then misplayed a ground ball by Cougars shortstop Sergio Alcantara, allowing Elander to score. A single by center fielder Colin Bray, a groundout and sacrifice fly by left fielder Grant Heyman scored Alcantara to make it 3-2.
The 3-2 lead remained until the fifth inning, when Elander hit a leadoff single and went to second base when Bray walked. That ended Comer's outing after 4 1/3 innings, bringing left-hander Chris Lee (0-1) out of the bullpen. With runners at first and second bases, a passed ball by catcher Jamie Ritchie allowed both to advance one base. A groundout by Regis brought in the tying run, and another passed ball scored the go-ahead run. The runs were charged to Comer, who yielded four - one earned - on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
Leading off the bottom of the fifth inning, Fisher quickly tied the game by launching his fourth home run of the season to right field off Miller. Tanielu then drew a walk, went to second base on a passed ball and scored after consecutive groundouts to third base by Hyde and Bottger. Miller was then removed after allowing five runs - three earned - on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
The 5-4 lead remained for Quad Citiesuntil two outs in the top of the sixth inning. With the bases empty, second baseman Fernery Ozuna singled to right field against Lee, whose wild pitch advanced Ozuna to second base. Right fielder Victor Reyes then grounded to Hyde, whose one-hop throw to first base went into the stands, allowing Ozuna to score the tying run. The Cougars took the lead for good in the seventh inning, as Bray hit a one-out single - one of his game-high three hits - to right field, and Lee hit Regis with a pitch. After Heyman grounded out, first baseman Steve McQuail grounded an infield single between Lee coming off the pitcher's mound and Ritchie coming in from his first base position, scoring Bray for the go-ahead run. Catcher Stryker Trahan followed with an RBI single to right field for a 7-5 Cougars lead. The lead increased to 8-5 in the eighth inning, when Reyes hit a leadoff single, advanced on two groundouts and scored on Bray's RBI single to center field. Lee went 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs - three earned - on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Cougars right-hander Nick Baker (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings with two hits and three strikeouts to put himself in line for the win. Left-hander Zac Curtis got the final out in the seventh inning but faced a greater threat in the eigth. A walk, error and single loaded the bases with no outs for Boyd, who grounded into a fielder's choice for an RBI. Ritchie then grounded into an inning-ending double play.
With an 8-6 lead in the ninth inning, Cougars right-hander Luis Ramirez allowed a two-out walk to Hyde, but when Bottger lifted a fly ball to shallow right field, Reyes made a diving catch to end his team's four-game losing and hand Quad Cities its first loss in six home games.
The River Bandits open a three-game series in Peoria at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dozer Park. After losing two of three games in their season-opening series with Quad Cities, the Chiefs (8-4) are tied with Cedar Rapids for second place in the Western Division.
UP NEXT: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR present the first Friday Fireworks of the season following the 7 p.m. game Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. It is also Legends of Rock Night for the opener of the six-game, seven-day homestand. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
20 Apr 2015

BANDITS TAME COUGARS FOR ANOTHER COMEBACK WIN

By Marco LaNave
Dykxhoorn wins second straight home start to help Quad Cities maintain the Midwest League's best record
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 19, 2015) - After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning Sunday afternoon, the Quad Cities River Bandits shut out the Kane County Cougars for the next eight innings and got the first home runs of the season from first baseman Jamie Ritchie and designated hitter Jose Martinez among 12 hits in a 7-2 victory in front of 2,290 at Modern Woodmen Park.
Holding onto first place in the Midwest League Western Division for the second straight day, the River Bandits (9-2) have their best 11-game start to the season and have won their first five home games for the first time since 2010.
Kane County (3-8) took the lead with a two-out rally in the first inning against right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn (2-0). Third baseman Marty Herum reached on an infield single fielded by shortstop Mott Hyde behind second base. Left fielder Grant Heyman then bounced a triple down the first-base line to score Herum. A passed ball by catcher Alfredo Gonzalez allowed Heyman to score to make it 2-0.
Following the two first-inning runs, Dykxhoorn faced the minimum number of batters until two outs in the fifth inning, when he allowed consecutive singles to designated hitter Josh Elander and right fielder Victor Reyes before Cougars center fielder Colin Bray fouled out to third baseman Nick Tanielu who tumbled into the first row of the third-base bleachers to make the catch. Dykxhoorn worked around his only two walks in the sixth inning to last a career-high six innings, allowing two runs - one earned - on four hits with four strikeouts.
Cougars right-hander Brent Jones (0-2) kept the home team off the scoreboard until the second inning. Hyde hit a one-out single up the middle, and Gonzalez walked. Two batters later, second baseman Kristian Trompiz hit a two-out single to left field that scored Hyde, but Trompiz running toward second base forced Gonzalez into an inning-ending rundown.
Ritchie tied the game in the third inning with a one-out solo home run to the Miller Lite Party Deck off a 3-2 pitch from Jones. The 2-2 tie remained until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Martinez led off by smacking a 2-2 offering to the Built Ford Tough Deck for his first Midwest League home run since Aug. 24, 2013, when he was with Lake County in the Cleveland Indians organization. Jones worked around singles by Trompiz and Ritchie later in the inning by getting Tanielu to fly out to center field, with Ritchie being doubled off first.
Leading 3-2, Quad Cities broke the game open in the sixth inning. Right fielder Ryan Bottger lined a hit to right field, where Victor Reyes' mis-timed dive allowed the ball to get to the outfield wall and Bottger to reach third base. With the infield in, left fielder Sean McMullen popped up to shallow left field, where Cougars shortstop Fernery Ozuna made a diving catch with his back to the infield, but Bottger beat the throw home to extend the lead to 4-2. Hyde then doubled to left field, ending Jones' outing and drawing right-hander Bud Jeter from the Kane County bullpen. A wild pitch put Hyde at third base, and he beat a throw to home plate when Gonzalez grounded to Herum along the third-base line. Martinez followed with a double to left-center field, and Trompiz drove in Gonzalez and Martinez with a double to left-center field for a 7-2 lead. A day after his first Midwest League home run, Trompiz matched career highs with three hits and three RBIs.
With a five-run lead, River Bandits right-hander Ryan Thompson began the seventh inning and retired the first five batters he faced. He finished two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three batters. In the ninth inning, right-hander Eric Peterson allowed a leadoff double to Heyman before retiring the next three batters.
The River Bandits conclude their series with Kane County at 7 p.m. Monday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (2-0) is scheduled to face Cougars left-hander Jared Miller (1-1).
UP NEXT: Frankie Valli from the Broadway show "Jersey Boys" will sing the National Anthem before Monday's 7 p.m. game. Gates open at 6 p.m. Military personnel - active and retired - can show ID at the box office to purchase up to four tickets for just $1 each on Military Monday presented by Performance Food Group, 97X and ESPN 93.5. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.
*****
20 Apr 2015

BANDITS OUT-DUEL COUGARS IN SERIES OPENER

By Marco LaNave
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 18, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-handers Joshua James, Keegan Yuhl and Jose Montero combined to limit the Kane County Cougars to one run on four hits, and second baseman Kristian Trompiz hit a game-tying, seventh-inning home run before an eighth-inning tally gave the home team a 2-1 victory in front of 3,771 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.
For the first time in five years, the River Bandits have won their first four home games and begun the season 8-2 overall. Quad Cities also won against an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate for the first time since the clinching Game 3 of the 2013 Midwest League Championship against the South Bend Silver Hawks, Arizona's Class-A affiliate at the time.
After James pitched a perfect top of the first inning, Quad Cities had its first scoring threat in the bottom half. Cougars right-hander Markus Solbach allowed a leadoff walk to first baseman Jamie Ritchie and one-out single by designated hitter Derek Fisher, who extended his hitting streak to seven games with a blooper down the left-field line. Third baseman Nick Tanielu then flied to right field, from where Colin Bray threw out Fisher as he tried to advance to second base.
Kane County (3-7) scored its run in the second inning. James began by walking designated hitter Steve McQuail, and then on three consecutive pitches, third baseman Cody Regis singled to left field, left fielder Josh Elander grounded into a double play, and center fielder Victor Reyes lined a two-out RBI single to left field for a 1-0 Cougars lead. Reyes was then caught stealing to end the inning. James later worked around a hit batter and walk with one out in the fourth inning with a strikeout and groundout to the mound. In his first Midwest League start, he finished five innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Solbach dodged Quad Cities' threats in the third and fifth innings. In the third, he allowed a one-out single by River Bandits shortstop Thomas Lindauer and another walk to Ritchie. A wild pitch moved Lindauer to third base, but Solbach struck out right fielder Ryan Bottger and got Fisher to pop out to end the inning. In the fifth, a two-out walk to Lindauer, a single by Ritchie and walk to Bottger loaded the bases before Fisher flied out to left field.
Solbach preserved the 1-0 lead until one out in the seventh inning, when Trompiz lifted the first pitch he saw over the right-field wall for his third professional home run and his first since last June 20 in the Gulf Coast League. The Cougars answered the momentum swing during the next at-bat, as Lindauer hit a foul popup that Bray caught as he collided with the Party Plaza fence and fell over the railing. Bray remained in the game, but Solbach was removed after Ritchie reached on a two-out infield single. Kane County's starter allowed one earned run on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Right-hander Jency Solis entered to yield a double down the left-field line by Bottger to put runners at second and third bases before getting Fisher on a groundout.
Yuhl (1-0) faced one batter over the minimum in the sixth through eighth innings, with the only baserunner reaching on a strikeout and wild pitch. Yuhl struck out four batters and earned his first professional win because of Quad Cities' run in the eighth inning. Center fielder Sean McMullen doubled to right field with one out and stole third base, before catcher Jacob Nottingham grounded out to third base to score with the infield in to score McMullen. Right-hander Jose Montero made the lead stand despite allowing a leadoff single to first baseman Marty Herum and one-out walk to third baseman Cody Regis in the ninth inning. Montero earned his second save.
The River Bandits continue their series against Kane County at 1:15 p.m. Sunday at Modern Woodmen Park. Right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn (1-0) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Brent Jones (0-1).

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