Bobby Borchering and Brian Blasik homer to lift Quad Cities past Cedar Rapids by one-half game
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AUG. 6, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Mark Appel retired the first 10 Cedar Rapids Kernels he faced Tuesday night in a career-high five innings and his first professional victory, while the offense continued its hot hitting to push the club into first place in the second-half standings following a 7-2 win at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
For a second straight game, Quad Cities (27-16 second half, 65-47 overall) gave its starting pitcher a 3-0 lead before he took the mound. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez again led off with a single, and shortstop Carlos Correa's one-out double to center field put runners at second and third bases against left-hander Josue Montanez (4-5). Left fielder Danry Vasquez flied to center field to drive in Hernandez, and first baseman Bobby Borchering followed with a towering blast to left field for his third home run as a River Bandit and a 3-0 advantage for the visitors.
The River Bandits added another run in the fourth inning, when catcher Roberto Pena doubled off the wall and scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Brian Blasik, who added the next run with his third home run of the season to left field. Montanez lasted through seven innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs with no walks and five strikeouts.
Appel (1-0) cruised through the first 10 batters with only one ball hit to the outfield. In the fourth inning, he issued a one-out walk to Kernels first baseman Niko Goodrum for the home team's first baserunner. In the fifth inning, left fielder Max Kepler grounded a ball that second baseman Tony Kemp dropped for an error. Two batters later, catcher Tyler Grimes lifted a one-out single to right field for the Kernels' first hit. After a groundout by designated hitter Bo Altobelli, second baseman Joel Licon hit a two-run single to right-center field for the Kernels only runs, slicing the lead to 5-2. But Appel retired the next batter to complete five innings and make himself eligible for his first professional win.
Right-hander Patrick Christensen made his Quad Cities debut starting the sixth inning. He retired nine of the 10 batters he faced, striking out five and allowing one hit. Quad Cities added a run on an eighth-inning RBI double by Correa, who had 12 hits in the four-games series, and a ninth-inning tally on right fielder Jordan Scott's RBI single. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson got the final three outs.
Tuesday's victory put Quad Cities one-half game ahead of the Kernels (27-17, 67-45) for first in the Western Division second-half standings and also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Wednesday, Aug. 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 Wednesday, Aug. 7.
The River Bandits open a six-game home stand on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Clinton LumberKings. River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers (6-5) will face LumberKings right-hander Victor Sanchez (3-5).
UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday, Aug. 7. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!
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