Teoscar Hernandez hits leadoff home run and finishes a triple shy of the cycle for Quad Cities
BELOIT, Wis. (JULY 28, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez led off Sunday afternoon's game at Pohlman Field with a home run to start his team's five-run first inning, and left-hander Joe Bircher pitched a career-high seven shutout innings in a 9-1 victory over the Beloit Snappers.
After Beloit had 19 hits in Saturday's series opener, the River Bandits (19-15 second half, 57-46 overall) posted 15 hits, including a season-high eight doubles and nine extra-base hits. Hernandez and third baseman Rio Ruiz each had three hits. Hernandez finished a triple shy of the cycle, while Ruiz posted three RBIs for a second straight game and has five hits in the last two games.
Hernandez hit the second pitch of the game by right-hander Deyvi Jimenez (2-1) over the left-center field fence for his team-high ninth home run of the season. Shortstop Carlos Correa and right fielder Dan Gulbransen hit consecutive one-out singles, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ruiz lined a two-run double to right-center field, and designated hitter Terrell Joyce added a two-out, two-run double down the left-field line for a five-run frame - the team's largest opening inning of the season.
After Bircher (2-1) worked a perfect first inning, Hernandez hit a leadoff single in the second inning to record his third straight multi-hit game. Left fielder Jordan Scott extended his hitting streak to eight games with a double to left-center field, before Correa brought in a run with a sacrifice fly to right. Gulbransen added an RBI single through the middle for a 7-0 lead.
Bircher cruised through the Snappers lineup, facing his deepest trouble when he hit a batter and allowed a single to put runners at first and second in the second inning. An infield popup ended the threat, and Beloit (20-15, 63-42) did not advance a runner past first base for the rest of his outing. Bircher also set down the final seven Snappers he faced in order.
Quad Cities added a run in the fourth inning when Hernandez and Correa each doubled against Jimenez, who finished four innings, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits. Right-hander Derek DeYoung shut out the River Bandits on two hits for four innings, but the visitors tallied a ninth-inning run on Ruiz's RBI single against left-hander Chris Lamb.
Left-hander Mitchell Lambson followed Bircher to start the eighth, allowing Beloit's run on a Nick Rickles ninth-inning RBI double.
Sunday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Monday, July 29. 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 Monday, July 29.
The River Bandits play their finale of a 12-road-game, 13-day stretch and the rubber match of the three-game series in Beloit at 7 p.m. Monday. River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain (4-5) will oppose Snappers right-hander Seth Streich (10-5).
UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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.
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 the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. 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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