Quad Cities can advance to Western Division final with win Thursday or Friday in Cedar Rapids
DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 4, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski, left-hander Mitchell Lambson and right-hander Andrew Walter combined to hold the Midwest League's highest scoring offense to one run, and shortstop Carlos Correa had a game-high three hits in a 2-1, playoff-opening win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 2,417 at Modern Woodmen Park.
Quad Cities took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Midwest League Western Division semifinal series and can advance to the Western Division final with a victory Thursday or Friday in Cedar Rapids, where Quad Cities went 5-2 as the visiting team this season. Dating back to the 2011 playoffs, the River Bandits have won eight straight postseason games.
Devenski worked around a two-out single in the first inning, but he allowed the Kernels to take the lead in the second. Kernels right fielder Adam Brett Walker reached on an infield single, and first baseman Mike Gonzales drove a double into the left-center-field gap to bring home Walker. An error and walk loaded the bases with two outs before Devenski got a foul popup to end the inning.
Kernels left-hander Brett Lee allowed just two hits until Correa reached on an infield single with one out in the fourth. With one out and left fielder Danry Vasquez batting, Correa ran on a 3-2 pitch that Vasquez took for ball four, but Quesada still threw into center field, allowing Correa to reach third. With two outs, third baseman Ruiz grounded a game-tying single past a diving Gonzales at first base.
Devenski set down 10 of 12 batters to close his five-inning start. He allowed three hits, one earned run and three walks and one strikeout. Lambson started the sixth inning and retired the first seven batters he faced before allowing shortstop Jorge Polanco's eighth-inning, one-out single - the first Kernels hit since the second inning. After Lambson notched his fifth strikeout to complete 2 2/3 innings, Walter (1-0) came in to face Walker, whom he retired on a foul popup with a runner at first base. The Kernels left seven runners on base.
In the bottom of the eighth, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a leadoff single - the River Bandits' first since the fourth inning - against right-hander Madison Boer (0-1), and Correa lined a single to right field on a hit-and-run play that ended with Hernandez at third base. Vasquez then grounded to Goodrum, who started a double play, which allowed Hernandez to score the go-ahead run.
Walter struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, completing his team's four-hit, nine-strikeout pitching performance.
Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Thursday, Sept. 5. 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 Thursday, Sept. 5.
Quad Cities will travel to Cedar Rapids for Game 2 at 6:35 p.m. Thursday. River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (3-3) is scheduled to face Kernels right-hander Tim Shibuya (4-0).
UP NEXT:Follow the River Bandits' playoff run at www.riverbandits.com by listening to the live broadcast presented by Mediacom. You can also listen to every game using the TuneIn Radio app on your smartphone. 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 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and the River Bandits in the playoffs. 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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