Lindauer hits team's first grand slam of the season, as three pitchers combine to dominate Kane County
GENEVA, Ill. (May 15, 2014) - Shortstop Thomas Lindauer had a third-inning grand slam in a 3-for-4, five-RBI game, and right-handers Adrian Houser and Kevin Comer and left-hander Albert Minnis combined on a five-hit shutout in the Quad Cities River Bandits' 7-0 series-opening win over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Thursday night.
The River Bandits (19-20) took the first of four games against first-place Kane County (26-14) by tossing their second shutout of the season. The offense was led by three hits each from first baseman Conrad Gregor and Lindauer, who hit the team's first grand slam of 2014 and has posted both of the five-RBI games by a River Bandit this season.
Quad Cities began scoring in the second inning against right-hander Duane Underwood (0-1). Designated hitter Brett Booth led off with a double down the right-field line but remained at second base until Lindauer grounded a single into center field for a 1-0 lead.
In third inning, the visitors broke the game open. Third baseman Tyler White reached on a one-out fielding error by Cougars third baseman Ben Carhart, and Gregor singled on a ground ball into center field. Underwood threw a wild pitch to advance both runners and then hit catcher Brian Holberton with a two-out pitch. Left fielder Ronnie Mitchell drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0, and Lindauer followed with a drive to the picnic deck in left field, extending the lead to 6-0. All five runs in the inning were unearned against Underwood, who allowed six runs - one earned - on six hits and two walks with one strikeout in his three-inning start.
The River Bandits added a fourth-inning run against left-hander Gerardo Concepcion. Second baseman Chan-Jong Moon drew a leadoff walk, Gregor hit a one-out single, and Booth grounded an RBI single into right field for a 7-0 lead. The Cougars trapped Booth in a rundown, but when he reached first base safely, Cougars manager Mark Johnson argued and was ejected by base umpire Dave Attridge.
The seven runs were more than enough support for Houser (2-1), who worked around singles in the first and second innings, and got a ground-ball double play after the latter. He set down nine consecutive batters from the second inning until two outs in the fifth inning, when he gave up a two-out single and walk. He got a ground-ball fielder's choice to end his second straight shutout start. After six scoreless innings last Friday against Beloit, Houser pitched five shutout innings Thursday, scattering three hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
Comer began the sixth inning with a 7-0 lead. He allowed back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth inning and a two-out walk and single in the seventh but escaped both jams. He worked a perfect eighth inning to complete his third straight Midwest League appearance of three shutout innings. In the ninth inning, Minnis allowed a one-out single before getting designated hitter Jordan Hankins to ground into a game-ending, 5-4-3 double play.
Quad Cities continues the series against Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Friday. River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng (3-0).
UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! 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.
