Quad Cities pulls within one-half game of Beloit in right-hander's first-ever win as a starter
BELOIT, Wis. (JUNE 2, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-handers Lance McCullers and Daniel Minor shut out the Beloit Snappers for the first 8 1/3 innings Sunday afternoon, and after the latter allowed a two-run home run, right-hander Cameron Lamb got the final two outs of a 3-2 road victory at Pohlman Field.
The River Bandits (31-24) pulled within one-half game of the Snappers (32-24) for second place in the Midwest League Western Division with two weeks remaining in the first-half race. A loss by first-place Cedar Rapids at Kane County Sunday allowed Quad Cities to also move within four games of first place.
McCullers (2-4) struck out six batters in five shutout innings to lower his ERA to a league-low 1.70. He also earned his first-ever win as a starter after earning his first career victory as a reliever in Tuesday's rain-shortened game against Kane County. He started Sunday by striking out the first three batters he faced - extending a string of consecutive strikeouts to six, dating back to his outing Tuesday.
After two perfect innings, McCullers allowed a third-inning leadoff walk to designated hitter Ryan Delgado and one-out single by center fielder Dayton Alexander to put runners at first and third bases. Catcher Roberto Pena then threw out Alexander trying to steal, and McCullers got second baseman Christopher Bostick to ground out to end the inning. McCullers only allowed a fourth-inning, two-out single by Renato Nunez the rest of the way.
Quad Cities tallied single runs in three different innings, beginning in the second against right-hander Seth Streich (5-3). Third baseman Rio Ruiz drew a leadoff walk, and Pena singled. Right fielder John Wooten then bobbled the ball and overthrew third base, allowing Ruiz and Pena to reach scoring position on his pair of errors on the play. River Bandits right fielder Ariel Ovando grounded to second base to bring in Ruiz for a 1-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, the lead grew to 2-0, as center fielder Teoscar Hernandez doubled, reached third on a single by left fielder Jordan Scott, and scored when shortstop Carlos Correa grounded into a fielder's choice. Hernandez added an RBI single in the sixth inning against right-hander Tyler Vail to drive in designated hitter Terrell Joyce, who had drawn a leadoff walk.
With a 3-0 lead, Minor started the sixth inning for Quad Cities and worked around singles in the sixth and eighth innings. He allowed a leadoff single by Bostick in the ninth inning, and two batters later, Nunez hit his 11th home run of the season to close the lead to 3-2. Lamb entered and retired first baseman Matt Olson on a flyout to left field, walked left fielder Ryan Mathews and got Delgado to hit into a game-ending fielder's choice for Lamb's third save. The victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Monday, June 3. 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, June 3.
The River Bandits will go for their third straight series win and look to surpass the Snappers in the series finale at 7 p.m. Monday. Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain (2-5) will face Beloit right-hander Derek DeYoung (5-2) at 2 p.m. Sunday in Game 3 of the series.
UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!
NOTE: Hitting coach Joel Chimelis was ejected by home plate umpire Evan Barger, not Nestor Ceja, as the box score indicates.
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