Quad Cities and Peoria exchange lead four times in second meeting
DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 13, 2013) - For the first time during the 2013 campaign, the River Bandits were beat to the scoreboard by an opponent, but they were able to secure an 8-6 victory over the Peoria Chiefs for their first home win of the season on Saturday night in front of 1,391 at Modern Woodmen Park.
The Chiefs (4-4) got on the board behind a trio of former River Bandits in the second off Quad Cities starter Jordan Jankowski. Center fielder Nick Martini, catcher Geoff Klein and right fielder Michael Swinson provided RBI singles against their former team to give Peoria the lead at 3-0.
The Bandits' bats came alive in the third to take the lead against former River Bandit left-hander Dail Villanueva. Left fielder Jordan Scott walked, shortstop Carlos Perdomo reached on an error, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled to extend a six-game hitting streak and load the bases. Second baseman Joe Sclafani followed with a sacrifice fly to right. First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki then wrapped a two-run, game-tying triple down the line in right to score Perdomo and Hernandez. Wierzbicki scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice off the bat of third baseman Rio Ruiz. Villanueva gave up two earned runs on three hits in three innings
Jankowski lasted one out into the next inning, giving the ball to right-hander Gera Sanchez, who pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings to bridge the gap to left-hander Brian Holmes (1-0), schedule to pitch in the tandem Saturday night.
Holmes had a shaky start in the sixth, with two hit batters and a two-run double by Chiefs designated hitter Ildemaro Vargas that made it 5-4. Two batters later, left fielder Breyvic Valera would slice a triple down the line in right to drive in Vargas for a 6-4 Peoria lead.
In the bottom half, the River Bandits rallied for the lead. Backstop Jobduan Morales singled, and a one-out single by Scott was misplayed by Valera to allow runners to second and third. Morales raced home uncontested on a passed ball by Klein. Shortstop Carlos Perdomo then walked to chase right-hander Jhonny Polanco (0-1). Right-hander Zach Petrick entered to face left fielder Ryan Dineen, who pushed a bunt back to the mound to tie the game. After second baseman Joe Sclafani singled, Wierzbicki struck out swinging, but Klein threw wild to first base for the put out, allowing Dineen to score the go-ahead run for a 7-6 advantage.
Perdomo, with help from the Chiefs defense, tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. The Venezuelan singled, stole second, advanced to third when Klein overthrew second, and then scored when Martini's throw to third was wild. Holmes hardly needed the insurance, as he retired the final 10 batters of the game to finish four innings and earn the victory, which also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, April 14. 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 Sunday, April 14.
The River Bandits' scoring of at least seven runs activates the "Lucky Seven Run" promotion, as American TV & Appliance at 4800 Elmore Avenue in Davenport will offer a 40% discount on all furniture Sunday, April 14. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
The River Bandits and Chiefs will play the series finale Sunday at Modern Woodmen Park at 2 p.m. Vincent Velasquez (1-0) and Joe Bircher (1-0) will toe the rubber for Quad Cities against former River Bandit Tyrell Jenkins (0-0) of Peoria.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits will present their first-ever Flat Screen Family Sunday promotion, when the club will be giving away three flat screen TVs to lucky fans. Fans are invited to bring their family canine to the game as the Bark in the Park promotion returns to Modern Woodmen Park, and Kids can also run the bases after the game. 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.
