Left-hander delivers first six-inning start and victory since June 14 in Midwest League debut
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AUG. 5, 2013) - In his first outing with the Houston Astros organization, Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader twirled six shutout innings, limiting the Cedar Rapids Kernels to one hit and two baserunners in his Midwest League debut, and a 5-0 lead through three innings held up for a 6-2 victory at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
River Bandits shorstop Carlos Correa had his third straight three-hit game and scored twice, third baseman Rio Ruiz had a two-run, first-inning single among two hits, and new second baseman Tony Kemp added two hits to lead Quad Cities (26-16 second half, 64-47 overall) within one-half game of the first-place Kernels (27-16, 67-44).
Quad Cities gave Hader (1-0) all he would need before he took the mound. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a leadoff single, Kemp walked and Correa hit an infield single to load the bases in the first inning against right-hander Christian Powell (2-5), who retired the next two batters. But Ruiz grounded a base hit through the right side of the infield for a 2-0 lead, and catcher Jobduan Morales reached when first baseman Max Kepler missed a catch at first base, allowing a third run to score.
Hader, acquired by the Astros organization from the Baltimore Orioles as part of a July 31 trade for major league pitcher Bud Norris, posted his only two strikeouts on the first two batters of the game. An error by Ruiz on a first-inning, two-out ground ball was all that kept Hader from perfection through the first 3 2/3 innings.
The River Bandits added to the lead with Correa's RBI single to drive in Hernandez in the second inning, as well as a double steal in the third inning that ended with Morales scoring for a 5-0 lead. Powell allowed five runs - four earned - on eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters in five innings.
Hader gave up his only hit with two outs in the fourth, when right fielder Adam Brett Walker doubled to right-center field. But Hader retired the next seven batters to complete six innings for the first time since June 14 - the date of his last victory with Class-A Delmarva.
Right-hander Jamaine Cotton started the seventh inning for Quad Cities and allowed two eighth-inning singles but no runs in his first two innings. Quad Cities added a run in the ninth following singles by Correa (his 10th of the series) and left fielder Danry Vasquez, who extended a seven-game hitting streak, before a fielder's choice groundout by first baseman Bobby Borchering. Walker hit a two-run home run in the ninth against Cotton, who earned the three-inning save. The Kernels never brought the tying run to the plate the entire game.
Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, Aug. 6. 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 Tuesday, Aug. 6. The River Bandits conclude the four-game series in Cedar Rapids at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, when right-hander Mark Appel (0-0) will face Kernels left-hander Josue Montanez (4-4).
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 Wednesday, Aug. 7. 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.
