26
Aug
2014
Quad Cities stays two games behind Wisconsin for a second-half playoff spot with seven games remaining
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 25, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits overcame a 2-0 deficit with a fourth-inning, game-tying, two-run home run by first baseman A.J. Reed and a go-ahead, solo home run by right fielder James Ramsay in the sixth inning of a 3-2 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 2,673 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday night.
With its first three-game winning streak since July 29, Quad Cities (31-32 second half, 66-66 overall) stayed two games behind Wisconsin (33-30) for the final second-half playoff spot in the Western Division with seven games remaining. With their fifth win in their last six games, the River Bandits moved one-half game ahead of Peoria (30-32), which will play a doubleheader Tuesday in Clinton.
Quad Cities pitchers struck out 18 batters for the first time since their home opener of April 8, 2011, when they struck out the same number in a 7-4 win over Beloit. The 33 combined strikeouts by Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids (39-24, 70-63) were the most in a River Bandits game since June 28, 2010, when Quad Cities and Wisconsin combined for 33 strikeouts in a 14-inning, 7-6 Quad Cities win.
On Monday, River Bandits right-hander Troy Scribner and Kernels left-hander Stephen Gonsalves each struck out five batters in the first three innings of a scoreless game. In the fourth inning, Cedar Rapids second baseman Tanner Vavra hit a leadoff double and scored on a double by catcher Michael Quesada. Shortstop Ryan Walker singled to center field to drive in Quesada for a 2-0 lead. After Scribner struck out designated hitter Jonatan Hinojosa and third baseman Logan Wade, he walked first baseman Chad Christensen. That ended Scribner's outing after 3 2/3 innings, in which he allowed two earned runs on six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Left-hander Jordan Mills began by hitting right fielder Alex Swim with a pitch to load the bases before striking out center fielder Max Murphy to end the inning.
With a 2-0 lead, Gonsalves hit left fielder Ryan Bottger with a pitch to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Gonsalves fanned designated hitter Chase McDonald, before Reed hit his sixth Midwest League home run - and second in three games - to make it 2-2. Gonsalves struck out four of the next five batters to finish five innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts.
Mills struck out three batters in 1 1/3 innings, before left-hander Chris Lee (8-6) began the sixth inning in a 2-2 tie. Lee pitched a perfect frame, but Kernels right-hander Jared Wilson began the bottom of the sixth inning by allowing Ramsay's third home run - all in the last 16 games - just inside the foul pole down the right-field line. Wilson completed two innings, allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts, and left-hander Josue Montanez struck out one batter in one inning. Kernels pitchers struck out at least one batter every inning.
Lee held the 3-2 lead despite the Kernels loading the bases in the seventh inning with his own fielding error and two walks. He struck out Walker to end the third different inning Cedar Rapids left the bases loaded. After a perfect eighth inning and getting the first two outs in the ninth, Lee allowed a single by left fielder J.D. Williams, before right-hander Keegan Yuhl struck out Vavra looking to end the game. The Kernels left 14 total runners on base and struck out at least twice in every inning except the second - the only inning they did not strike out.
Quad Cities concludes its series with Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Tuesday, when River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz (8-4) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Lewis Thorpe (3-2). The River Bandits host Clinton for their final three home games Wednesday through Friday.
UP NEXT: Fan Appreciation Week continues Tuesday with Iowa Fan Appreciation Night, when Iowa residents can get $1 bleacher or berm tickets by showing a valid driver's license at the box office. Regular invidivual tickets are Buy-1-Get-1 Free, Kids Eat Free and fans can bring an old can of Mountain Dew to the gates to receive a voucher for a free 16-ounce Mountain Dew. Wednesday is Isle Casino Night and Pay Your Bill Wednesday. Thursday is Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night with a River Bandits hat giveaway, and Friday is Fan Appreciation Night with postgame fireworks. Regular tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
