01
May
2014
Quad Cities drops Game 1, 6-3, to Clinton, before rallying from 7-3 deficit for walk-off win in Game 2
DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 1, 2014) - Center fielder Brett Phillips hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 9-8 Game 2 win for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who had rallied from a 7-3 deficit to earn a split with the Clinton LumberKings, who had taken Game 1 by a 6-3 final in a doubleheader Wednesday night at Modern Woodmen Park.
In Game 1, Clinton first baseman Jeff Zimmerman opened the scoring with a home run on the first pitch of the third inning by Quad Cities left-hander Kent Emanuel (0-2), who completed three innings, allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
With a 1-0 lead, the LumberKings (10-13) added two runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth against left-hander Albert Minnis for a 6-0 lead. Minnis lasted 1 2/3 innings, before right-hander Tyler Brunnemann pitched the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a run.
Trailing 6-0, Quad Cities (11-13) began a rally in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Thomas Lindauer, left fielder Tanner Mathis and second baseman Chan-Jong Moon each drew walks to start the inning against left-hander Eddie Campbell, and right fielder James Ramsay shot a two-runs ingle to right field. First baseman Chase McDonald added an RBI groundout, but the River Bandits came no closer than 6-3. Clinton right-handers Aaron Brooks (1-0) and Emilio Pagan finished the visitors' win, with the latter earning his fifth save.
In Game 2, Clinton jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a single by right fielder Austin Wilson against right-hander Jandel Gustave. But Quad Cities answered with a first-inning RBI double by first baseman Conrad Gregor and a second-inning home run by left fielder Jon Kemmer. The LumberKings retook the lead with Wilson's RBI triple in the third inning, and tacked on three more in the fourth inning for a 6-2 lead. Gustave allowed six runs - four earned - on five hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Right-hander Zach Morton followed with 2 1/3 innings, three hits, one walk and two strikeouts, but also allowed Clinton center fielder Burt Reynolds' fifth-inning leadoff home run.
With a 7-3 deficit, Quad Cities began a Game 2 comeback against left-hander Blake Holovach in the fifth inning. Moon singled, Greogr walked, and McDonald hit an RBI single. After Ramsay flied out, catcher Brian Holberton singled, and Kemmer drew a bases-loaded walk to chase Holovach. Left-hander Leoncio Munoz yielded a two-run, game-tying single to pinch hitter Tyler White before walking Lindauer and giving up a go-ahead sacrifice fly to Phillips, who reached when Reynolds dropped the fly ball.
With an 8-7 lead, River Bandits right-hander Andrew Walter allowed Wilson's game-tying home run leading off the seventh. But Kemmer began the bottom half with a single to right field, stole second base, went to third on Lindauer's one-out single to left field and scored on Phillips' second sacrifice fly at one minute before midnight. This season Quad Cities has four one-run wins, and all have been walk-offs.
The River Bandits have split each of their first four doubleheaders of the season, and they host the LumberKings for a doubleheader at 6 p.m. Thursday. In Game 1, Quad Cities right-hander Andrew Thurman (2-1) is scheduled to face Clinton right-hander Carlos Misell (3-1). In Game 2, Quad Cities left-hander Chris Lee (0-0) is scheduled to face Clinton right-hander Jose Flores.
UP NEXT: The first 1,000 fans to Thursday's 6 p.m. doubleheader receive a Miltary Camo Drawstring Backpack courtesy of Western Illinois University-Quad Cities. On College Night, students can show their college IDs at the box office for $2 bleacher tickets. Gates open at 5 p.m. for a Thirst-Day Thursday presented by Rock 104-9 and the River Cities' Reader with $2 drink specials. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, 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 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
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