Quad Cities wins ninth game in its last 11 and keeps Wisconsin one game out of a playoff spot
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AUG. 28, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski allowed one run on four hits in six innings, and left fielder Danry Vasquez hit a go-ahead two-run triple in a three-run sixth inning that helped the visitors to a 4-2 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium Wednesday night.
Playoff-bound Quad Cities (39-25 second half, 77-56 overall) won for the ninth time in the last 11 games to push its overall record a season-best 21 games over .500. With a loss, the defending Midwest League Champion Wisconsin (30-35, 59-71) remained one game behind Clinton (31-34, 64-70) with five games remaining to determine the final second-half playoff spot in the Western Division.
Devenski (4-3) pitched into the sixth inning for a fourth straight start and won for the fourth time in five starts. But he fell behind in the first inning, as Timber Rattlers shortstop Orlando Arcia hit a one-out single, and left fielder Victor Roache brought in the first run with single to center field. Around lone doubles in the second and third innings, Devenski kept the Timber Rattlers off the scoreboard for his final five innings. After a walk leading off the fourth, he induced a double play to begin a string of eight batters retired to end his outing.
Timber Rattlers right-hander Austin Ross was sharp for a second straight start against Quad Cities. Having allowed one hit in six shutout innings in Davenport Aug. 12, Ross opened the game by walking second baseman Tony Kemp before retiring 13 straight hitters. River Bandits catcher Roberto Pena broke the hitless spell with a one-out single in the fifth inning, but Ross finished five shutout frames.
In the sixth inning, left-hander Alan Williams (0-1) started by walking Kemp, who drew four walks in five plate appearances Wednesday. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez placed a sacrifice, and shortstop Carlos Correa drew a walk. Vasquez hit a ground ball down the first-base line that went into the right-field corner to bring in both runs and bring Vasquez to third base. On the next pitch, third baseman Rio Ruiz singled past the dive of Wisconsin third baseman Matt Garza for a 3-1 lead.
Right-hander Richard Rodriguez allowed Wisconsin to come within 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, as Garza hit a one-out triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Max Walla. Quad Cities answered the next half-inning, as Kemp scored when second baseman Adrian Williams misplayed a ground ball. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson ran his hitless streak to 8 2/3 innings with a perfect eighth, and right-hander Andrew Walter ran his scoreless streak to 10 1/3 innigns with a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save in as many nights.
Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Thursday, Aug. 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 Thursday, Aug. 29.
Quad Cities continues its final regular season road series in Wisconsin at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (3-3) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Ryan Gibbard (4-6).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. 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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